Ezra Priest Scribe Law Expert Teacher

I. EXORDIUM:

Is the hand of the LORD on you because of your own good works?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that GOD's hands is on us because of His own decision, plan and will not of our own choosing therefore we don't deserve it.

IV. TEXT:

Ezra 7:6 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

This Ezra was a scribe who was well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given to the people of Israel. He came up to Jerusalem from Babylon, and the king gave him everything he asked for, because the gracious hand of the Lord his God was on him.

V. THESIS:

GOD's hands is on us because of His own decision, plan and will not of our own choosing therefore we don't deserve it.

VI. TITLE:

Ezra priest scribe law expert teacher

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: unknown. Ezra might have been the compiler

B. Date written: 450 B.C.

C. Purpose: To document GOD's faithfulness, keeping His promises, sovereignly protecting His People and returned them to their own land.

D. To whom written: Jerusalem's restored remnant and future generations.

E. Main theme: Return of the Jews from Babylonian captivity

F. Keywords: Word of GOD, Power of the Word of GOD in human life, Word of the LORD

G. Key verses:

Ezra 1:3 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Any of you who are his people may go to Jerusalem in Judah to rebuild this Temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives in Jerusalem. And may your God be with you!

Ezra 7:10 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel.

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. Line of Aaron, scribe and expert in the law

"This Ezra was a scribe who was well versed in the Law of Moses"

1. We carry a good Name and a good reputation

Philippians 2:10-11 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

2. The LORD JESUS protects our name and reputation with His Own

Proverbs 3:4 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.

Proverbs 18:10 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.

Proverbs 22:1 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.

.. but our LORD JESUS CHRIST gives us all. Good Name and good reputation. - That is His.

John 1:16 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.

B. The hand of the LORD was on him

"because the gracious hand of the Lord his God was on him"

1. The king had granted him anything he asked - GOD's hands accomplished everything for us.

Exodus 15:6 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

“Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power. Your right hand, O Lord, smashes the enemy.

1 Chronicles 29:14 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!

The Hand of GOD that's on us is powerful, glorious, right hand (symbolizes strength, sincerity), smashing the enemy, and everything we have has come from this Hand.

2. If someone's hand is on your thigh, he will accomplished everything he promised for us.

a. Oldest servant of Abraham - is bound with an oath to accomplish everything his master Abraham wanted him to do.

Genesis 24:2-3 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

One day Abraham said to his oldest servant, the man in charge of his household, “Take an oath by putting your hand under my thigh.

Swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not allow my son to marry one of these local Canaanite women.

b. Joseph - is bound by an oath to accomplish everything for his father before he died.

Genesis 47:29 (New Living Translation, Second Edition)

As the time of his death drew near, Jacob called for his son Joseph and said to him, “Please do me this favor. Put your hand under my thigh and swear that you will treat me with unfailing love by honoring this last request: Do not bury me in Egypt.

3. GOD's Hands is surely on us as a guarantee of His Promises.