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CHAPTER 7 (ESV)

1 Now after this, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah … 5 son of Aaron the chief priest—

6 this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.

7 And there went up also to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king, some of the people of Israel, and some of the priests and Levites, the singers and gatekeepers, and the temple servants. 8 And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. 9 For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was on him. 10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel…

27 Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem, 28 and who extended to me his steadfast love before the king and his counselors, and before all the king’s mighty officers. I took courage, for the hand of the Lord my God was on me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.

REFLECTION:

Ezra was a scribe and the descendent of Aaron the High Priest. He determined to study and obey God’s law. We can see from Ezra that he was a very gifted preacher. Not only did he continue to grow in God, he also helped God’s people continue to grow. He learned God’s law by heart and was dedicated to follow it, not only by his words but also by his deeds. Hence he prospered in all that he did. Ezra even praised God for what God had accomplished through using him. Ezra did not boast about his talent and charisma but he only gave glory to God. Reflect how you can follow Ezra’s example of not boasting his achievements but instead doing everything for the glory of God.

PRAYER:

Be quiet before the Lord and examine if there is inconsistency between your word and deed in the church, family and workplace. If there is, thoroughly confess and repent to God. Ask God to give you the humility to follow the example of Ezra that you will glorify God in your daily life by your honest words and holy deeds.

HYMN:

“I Will Follow” – www.youtube.com/watch?v=g02mOpdNDtY