The Book of Ezra
Study #12
(Ezra 7:1-10)
Ezra The Man
Introduction:
• Between the events of chapter 6 and the return of Ezra in chapter 7 is a period of fifty-seven years.
• The entire book of Esther fits between these chapters.
• We now find ourselves at a point of transition.
• Although the people had re-established the Temple worship under Zerubbabel and Jeshua, they were not living in complete obedience to the Law.
• Unfortunately, they had lapsed into sin; and it was Ezra’s task to bring them back to the Lord.
• It was to the task of teaching and preaching the Law that Ezra had resigned himself (vs. 10). (Wiersbe and KJV Bible commentary)
I. Ezra - His Ancestry (1-5)
1 Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia [NOTE: King of Persia from 464-423 b.c], Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, 2 The son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub, 3 The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth, 4 The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki, 5 The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:
• These verses establish the priestly lineage of Ezra and thus give him the authority to deal with the Law and worship of Jehovah.
• His lineage is traced all the way back to Aaron, the high priest under Moses. (KJV Bible commentary)
• Between Azariah and Meraioth (v. 3) six extra names appear in the genealogy in 1 Chronicles 6:7-10 (cf. comments there).
• Seraiah was the High Priest when Jerusalem fell, and it appears as if Ezra was his great-grandson. (BKC)
• The Hilkiah mentioned is the grandfather of Seraiah, and the priest that discovered the book of the law during the temple renovations under young king Josiah.
II. Ezra - His Action (6A, 7-9)
6a This Ezra went up from Babylon; ... 7 And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims [NOTE: Gibeonites, servants to the Levites], unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king. 8 And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. 9 For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.
• 4 month journey of nearly a thousand miles.
• Accomplished by the “good hand of his God.”
• Ezra was no doubt comfortable where he was, yet there was a need among God’s people, so he went!
• Evidently, the priestly service in Jerusalem had faded into oblivion.
• So Ezra takes Levites, porters, Nethinims with him.
ILLUS: We now send missionaries to Brazil, Africa and South America. How long will it be before they must come here as missionaries?
The Returns
538 B.C. Phase I Cyrus the Persian issued a decree which gave the Jews liberty to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. This was led by Zerubbabel. A small group responded.
458 B.C. Phase II A further group returned under the leadership of Ezra. This return was a whole generation later than the first.
445 B.C. Phase III Nehemiah, a high official in the Persian court, was given permission to return to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
III. Ezra - His Advancement (6)
A. The Investment in God’s Word (6B, 6C)
1. The Study of the Word (6B)
6B and he was a ready scribe (saphar mahir = wise scribe)
• This implies more than just a secretary who copied Scripture.
• It implies a scholar who was learned in the laws.
• Besides being a man of zeal, Ezra was a man of great intellect and devotion.
ILLUS: A friend of mine was telling me that his dad has the view that being a preacher is a 3 hour a week job. Just stand and preach. But if you were to call him and 9:00 Sunday morning and ask him to fill the pulpit for you, he would excuse himself and say that he had had no time to prepare! Prepare? Yes. Preaching is work!
2. The Source of the Word (6C; 1 Thes. 2:13)
6C in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given:
• Ezra believed in the inspiration of the Word of God.
• He is believed to have written the book bearing his name, perhaps with others records for the first 6 chapters.
• He may also have written 1 & 2 Chronicles.
• So this statement is from Ezra, and it reveals his faith in the Word!
1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
B. The Initiative in God’s Work (6D, 6A)
6D and the king granted him all his request
6A This Ezra went up from Babylon;
• Peter was a man who blundered by doing before thinking.
• But the opposite of Peter’s difficulty is not thinking about doing!
• It is thinking and doing!
• And don’t forget praying! May God bless men of action!
• Ezra had the never to ask.
• Ezra had the determination to go!
C. The Intervention of God’s Will (6E; Ps. 37:28; Josh. 21:45)
and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
• We have already seen the overriding hand of providence in these returns.
• Scripture is filled with the comforting truth of God’s sovereign watchcare over His people.
Psalms 37:28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
Joshua 21:45 There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.
IV. Ezra - His Affection (10)
• Why would Ezra have studied the Word?
• Why would he have sought so diligently to go to Jerusalem?
• The answer lies in his heart.
A. Learning the Word (10A; Josh. 1:8)
10A For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD,
• This verse outlines the requirements for serving the Lord.
• Ezra had prepared his heart.
• God always prepares His servants to seek the law.
• Spiritual maturity and Christian leadership are closely connected to our relationship to the Law.
• One cannot grow and serve God apart from a commitment to the Word of God (Josh 1:8).
Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
B. Living the Word (10B; Acts 1:1)
10B and to do it,
• Do it. Many Christians know the Law but never obey it.
• Notice that the doing of the Law precedes the teaching of the Law.
• Practice must always precede preaching.
• This was true in the life of Jesus (Acts 1:1).
Acts 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
C. Leading in the Word (10C; Mt. 9:35; Acts 15:35)
10C and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
• Ezra taught from the depth of a pure heart and a consistent life-style.
• Such teaching is desperately needed today, teaching that emerges from a consistent obedience to the Law.
Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
Acts 15:35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Conclusion:
1. We must be vigilant in the transmission of our faith.
• From the grand dedication of the temple to the sad state when Ezra arrives has been just over 50 years.
Deut. 6:12 Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
2. The assurance of the trustworthiness of Scripture.
2 Tim. 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
3. The importance of Bible study!
2 Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
4. The necessity of the Word in the ministry of the Church.
2 Tim. 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Bible study is work.
5. The blessings of God upon those who study the Word.
Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
6. The importance of action.
“We’ve been talking about ...” Show me action!
James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
7. The providence of God in the lives of His people.
Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. [30] But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. [31] Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
