CENTRAL THOUGHT
A spiritually well-fed soul is a good source of spiritual nourishment for others.
TEXT: EZRA 7:1-28
INTRODUCTION:
After the defeat of the kingdom of Judah and the destruction of the Temple, the Israelites were carried into exile by Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon where they became slaves and servants to the Babylonians. Throughout this period, however, God did not abandon His people in accordance with the promises He made to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. Thus, He continues to send them His prophets to comfort them by reminding them of His promises to their forefathers. One of such prophets was Jeremiah who prophesied their return from captivity after 70 years (Jer. 29:10). The Scriptures make us to understand that this was accomplished in three phases (groups). The first group to return from exile was led by Zerubbabel who began and completed the building of the temple after some confusion and delays (Ezra 1:6). The second group was led by Ezra with the task of establishing God’s people by correcting social ills prevailing amongst those who had returned earlier and the remnants. The third group was led by Nehemiah with the task of rebuilding the broken walls of Jerusalem. These leaders had one theme in common, that of rebuilding and restoring broken houses, lives, and city walls. We as believers are called to rebuild lives that have been broken and left desolate by the devil and consequences of sin. In the next few weeks, we shall be examining the character of Ezra who refused to be distracted but determined to fulfill his calling. It is our prayers that these lessons will motivate us to fulfillment in our calling in the house of God.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
This lesson is intended to accomplish the following objectives:
- To know who Ezra was
- To understand that we can be encouraged by the Word to carry on an assignment for God
- To appreciate the value of integrity and trust
- To appreciate the value of our confidence in God.
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1) WHO WAS EZRA (EZRA 7:1-6; NEH. 12:26)
Ezra was the son of Seraiah, a descendant of Aaron the Chief Priest. He was both a priest and a scribe. In those days, priests were responsible for ministering at the altar and the scribes were involved in writing and transcribing the words of God. The fact that he was both a scribe and priest suggest that not only was he involved in handling the letters of the Law, but was also involved in its practical fulfillment. Ezra was also a teacher that was well versed in the Law of Moses given by the Lord God of Israel. As a teacher of the word of God, he was involved in ministering the word to the Jewish people while they were in exile and also when they returned to Jerusalem. His teachings must have been well known and respected by Artaxerxes, king of Persia, at the time the Jews were in captivity in a foreign land. Ezra, who led the second batch of exile returnees from Babylon, was a man of great moral strength, a revivalist, and faithful to God and His people. he knew how to get things done. He had the political knowledge to win a Persian king’s support for the trip to Jerusalem, the salesmanship to convince Jewish family leaders to go along, and the organizational know-how to mount the long, complicated, and dangerous expedition to Jerusalem. The fact that he was in a foreign land and in captivity did not discourage him from following the Lord God of Israel. Many believers in Christ tend to lose their faith when they happen to change location. Thus, we find people who were very zealous for the Lord during their school or University days or while at home with friends and family backslide when they take up residence in another city or country. Our God is not a local God. He is the Lord God, omnipresent and universal. We must therefore remain loyal and faithful to Him wherever we may find ourselves. We can serve Him anywhere, everywhere, and at any time. Jesus told the woman at the well that God is a spirit and all who worship Him must do so in spirit and in truth. Jerusalem (our local town or village) is not the only place we can serve God.
QUESTION 2) WHAT ENCOURAGED EZRA TO REQUEST FOR THE RETURN TO JERUSALEM?
Ezra was motivated to return to Jerusalem by his passion for the word of God. He wanted to teach the Word to the people of God. This passion grew out of his devotion to the Word. Verse 10 of our text reads, “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statues and judgements”. He gave himself to both study and to observance of the Word. James 1:23 makes us to understand that only the doers of the Word are blessed. It is therefore not surprising that he found favor before even a heathen king. The fact that he both studied and observed the Word qualified him to be a true teacher. Thus, he did not just teach from his head, he also taught from his heart and experience. Ezra’s practice of the Word is a perfect example for us to follow, especially those of us who teach the Word to others today. We must endeavor to practice what we teach. In such a way we will be able to impact our generation with the truth. The world is looking for passionate, committed, and well-taught believers who, by their lifestyle, are good examples for them to follow. Before this can be realized, we must spend time to study and feed our souls with the Word of God regularly. Then, we will be loaded to an overflow that people can drink from in the spirit. If we are empty, then we have nothing to give. As we feed our souls and obey the Word, we find ourselves very motivated to share the Word with others. Ezra prepared his heart to seek the Law of God and to do it. So must we!
QUESTION 3) WHAT WERE THE FAVORS EZRA AND HIS PEOPLE RECEIVED FROM THE KING?
It was essential for Ezra and his people to have a successful journey, so they needed special favor from the king. The favor they received included money, materials, and goodwill. They money and materials included resources for rebuilding the temple, gold and silver vessels for the temple altar, and items for sacrifice. They also received authority to demand and obtain help from the people within the province. They had no restriction on how to use the money as long as it was for the work of the Temple. The favor also included moral and financial supports from the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Thus, the work of rebuilding the temple was to go unhindered. The items for the sacrifice included bullocks, rams, lambs, and meat and drink offerings. This suggests that they were allowed to freely worship the Lord God of Israel (7:14-23). It is important for us to know that God can still stir the hearts of men for divine favor on our behalf and for His work. God’s work will not be done on earth by angels from heaven but by men. Furthermore, God will not literally open the windows of heaven and rain dollars as water falls from the sky. Rather, he will stir up the hearts of men and women to give to His work and for our individual personal needs. This is the only way God chooses to bless His work and people. We in this ministry are witnesses to this form of blessings. Our various building projects and other programs have been made possible because of the generosity and goodwill of men and women. God can also stir the hearts of the people in government for state participation in His work. As we give our hearts and life to the work of God, let us look up to Him to stir up hearts to give generously for His work and our personal needs. The underlying principle is that like Ezra, we must have burdens for the work (house) of the Lord. The Lord Himself will provide lamb for the burnt offering (Gen. 22:8).
QUESTION 4) DISCUSS THE IMPLICATION OF THE TRUST THE KING HAD FOR EZRA.
There are some useful lessons that we can learn from the fact that Ezra was trusted with all the money by the king and his counselors (Ezra 7:20-23). One thing that stands out clearly is that Ezra must have earned this trust from the king despite being a foreigner. We believe he must have demonstrated honesty, integrity, and reliability before the king. Ezra was a priest, and we believe that he must have lived up to the responsibility of that office. Thus, the king had no hesitation in entrusting him with those resources. He could be trusted to do exactly what he had set his heart to do. Ezra stands before us today as an example of integrity which we can learn from. It is very sad to observe today that many believers including teachers, elders, pastors, etc. cannot be trusted when it comes to the issue of money. It is commonplace to see these people divert resources meant for God’s work to their own personal use and not ready or willing to account for it. This is because we have become corrupt, worldly, and have joined the competition for wealth and affluence that is eating the moral fabrics of our society today. We have knowingly or unknowingly imbibed the slogan led by the devil, “the end justifies the means”. It does not matter how we got it, what is important is that we have it! In doing this, believers have left their first call to lead people back to God. Ezra collected the money to go and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. The king was confident that He would do exactly that and not divert some to build his own house first. God’s work must come first! Let us as believers demonstrate integrity, trustworthiness, and dependability. God and the Church today are looking for believers with the spirit of Ezra who will not mismanage God’s resources for their own selfish ends.
QUESTION 5) DISCUSS HOW EZRA DEMONSTRATED HIS CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S ABILTIY TO PROTECT (EZRA 8:21-23).
In these verses we see Ezra demonstrating his confidence in God’s ability to protect by seeking the face of the Lord for safe passage through prayers and fasting. Secondly, he found it unacceptable to request for protection from the king. He would not request the king to assign him a band of soldiers to protect them in their journey. A very important lesson for us believers today is the truth that prayers are an expression of our confidence in God. In John 11:41b, at the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus said, “Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me”, expressing His confidence in God’s ability and willingness to always come to his aid. Thus, when we pray, we are declaring our confidence in God. One can safely say that when we bring our petitions and requests before God, He is delighted because we are expressing our confidence in Him as our only source. Ezra did not only pray but also enjoined those with him to fast with him as well. He was very much aware of the enormity of the task before him. Consequently, it required more than just praying. It shows the depth of his commitment and dedication to the task ahead of him. A measure of our seriousness to a God-given task is the earnestness of our prayers for that task. If we view it as important and we desire success, we also will fast with our prayers. Jesus made it clear that there are some situations that require more than just prayers (Matt. 17:21). Ezra understood this principle!
When Ezra did not request for a band of soldiers, he was saying that his help comes from God and not man. The Scriptures made it very clear that it is futile to trust in man for the weapons of war for our safety (Ps. 118:9; Isa. 31:1; Jere. 17:5). Yes, we need the help of people, but we must see them as vessels or instruments in the hands of our God. Our ultimate protection is from God. Ezra understood this by also drawing inspiration from God’s protection over the Israelites in the wilderness. They had no standing army, yet defeated Pharoah’s mighty men in the Red Sea. So, the safety of our family, home, belongings etc. is from the Lord that neither sleeps nor slumbers (ps. 121:4).
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
Ezra was both a priest and scribe who not only taught the Word of God but also practiced what he taught. In doing this, he is a good example for present the day church leaders to emulate. As leaders of God’s people, we must endeavor to study the word of God, live by its precepts, and then qualify to teach it to others. When we have a lifestyle that is wholly based on the Word, we open ourselves to receive favor from both God and man. Ezra had implicit confidence in God’s ability to guide and protect His people when He sends them on a task. Ezra rejected the protection offered even by the king’s army, opting instead for God’s protection. As believers, where does your protection and confidence rest? Men are instruments in God’s hands to fulfill His promises to bless us. Our hope must never be placed on man or the works on man.
MEMORY VERSE:
EZRA 7:10 “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statues and judgement.”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
MON: Ezra the teacher. (Ezra 7:1-10)
TUE: Preparing for the task. (Ezra 7:10; 2Tim. 2:20-21; 1Pet. 3:15)
WED: Provisions for the task. (Phil. 4:19; Ps. 23)
THU: Protection for the task. (2 Chron. 16:9; Ps. 125:2; Zac. 2:5)
FRI: Confidence for the task. (Ps. 118:8; Isa. 26:4, 50:10)
SAT: Wrong confidence. (Isa. 31:1; Jer. 17:5; Job 31:24 28; Luke 12:19-20; Ps. 118:9)