Ezra 7:8-10
“Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king. He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.”
Though Ezra is not one of the more widely known figures nor is the book of Ezra read as widely as others, he played a vital role in the spiritual health of the people. He spent his life as a priest, serving the Israelites during their exile in Babylon and as they returned to Jerusalem. And his religious leadership helped generate a revival among the remnant in Jerusalem.
Ezra was passionate about God’s Law. It was the foundation of his own life, and he used God’s Law to remind others how to live righteously. As a prophet of God, he was also an intercessor, actively seeking the Lord’s mercy for himself and others. He knew the power of confession and repentance to reawaken faith, something he longed for the Jewish people to experience.
Ezra, Zerubbabel, Joshua and Nehemiah, brought groups of people back on rebuilding the temple, the city’s walls and a heart to restore the worship life of the people. This account teaches us what it means to stay committed to a task. Those volunteers who worked on the altar and then the temple dealt with active opposition and long delays on the project. Yet, they held onto their passion to rebuild, and kept the vision alive for others along the way.
Ezra, as well as Nehemiah, remind us of some powerful ways we can show worship to God. His practices of prayer (Ezra 9:5-15), fasting (Ezra 8:21, 23), and confession (Ezra 10:1-15) helped to revive the soul of the Israelite nation. Ezra encourages us to stand up for our faith. He knew that God’s Law had been neglected by many during their exile. So in Jerusalem, he boldly spoke up for God’s Laws with a fervor and fire to convince them of need to develop a strong relationship with God. Ezra’s words about God’s holiness and plan for His people should still resonate with believers today.
