Ezra: Finding Help From The Hand Of God

EZRA: FINDING HELP FROM THE HAND OF GOD

Ezra 7:6-10 NASB

In every aspect, all events around Ezra are not favorable. He is an exile in a pagan nation. But if there is one factor that works in his advantage, it is the hand of God. Let us examine how the very meaning of his name will works wonders for him and his people. The Name Ezra means a Divine Help.

Let s read our Text today from Ezra 7:6-10 NASB

6This Ezra went up from Babylon, and he was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given; and the king granted him all he requested because the hand of the LORD his God was upon him. 7Some of the sons of Israel and some of the priests, the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers and the temple servants went up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.

8He came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. 9For on the first of the first month he began to go up from Babylon; and on the first of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, because the good hand of his God was upon him. 10For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Throughout the whole bible, there are many people who found guidance, strength, power, success and victory by the hand of God and one of them is Ezra.

Ezra was a priest in Israel. But when Israel was captured Babylonians and the Babylonians was conquered by Medo-Persians, he has many reasons to abandon and forget his office as a priest and live a normal life for his personal survival.

But for Ezra, the predicament and chaos that he is experiencing did not change his priority nor did it darken his calling and purpose. The more that the situation become dimmer for his nation, it became clear for Ezra that his people need him. Hence, he seeks God more being the priest of God for his people.

I - EZRA DISCOVERS HOW TO ATTRACT GOD’S FAVORABLE HAND

Ezra7:10 NKJV

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Human has tendency to look for men of authority and power for protection but Ezra decided to find help from God. For this, he made some important preparations. Before he can get divine help and intervention, Ezra has to prepare his heart.

1 – HE PREPARED HIS HEART FOR GOD – “Ezra had prepared his heart”

1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

At the height of the discouraging situation, Ezra knew that the national sin and disobedience of his people as a whole cause their captivity. But Ezra knew that God is a merciful. And on that moment, more than ever, he needs to seek God and intercede for his people.

They may be captive and in bondage but their hearts must be unrestricted and prepared for God to speak and communicate. Because true freedom, victory, success and deliverance starts from the heart. Ezra starts the process of deliverance correctly. It begins from a prepared heart for God. He did not oblige his people to change their heart. He started it from himself. Ezra knew that if he wants to change the world, it should start from himself.

Let us read our verse again:

Ezra7:10 NKJV

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Ezra prepared his heart and the next step to get help from the hand of God is to seek the Law of the Lord. To seek Him, he ponder the Word of the Lord

2 – HE PURSUE THE WORD OF THE LORD – “to seek the Law of the LORD”

To seek means to study the word of God. Ezra understands that the battle happened first in the spiritual realm and because it is spiritual battle he must prepare a spiritual armor which is the Word of God.

Ephesians 6:12

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[a] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Ezra knew that no matter how difficult the situation may be at time, the Word of God can give them hope. The present situation may be telling them to give up or to compromise but the word of God is telling them to stay faithful because God is still in control and he has a plan for their hope and future.