Ezra 7-8 no comments
There is a gap of fifty-seven years between the completion of the temple and the arrival of Ezra. Unfortunately, the people had lapsed into sin; and it was Ezra’s task to bring them back to the Lord. One of the emphases in these chapters is hands .
God’s hand. Ezra was a gifted man (Ezra 7:10), but he could do nothing unless God’s hand was upon him and the people traveling with him. God’s hand is a providing hand (Ezra 7:6; 8:18), a protecting hand (Ezra 8:22, 31), an encouraging hand (Ezra 7:28), and a guiding hand (Ezra 7:9).
Ezra’s hand (Ezra 7:14). God’s Word was in Ezra’s heart as well as his hand (Ezra 7:10), and it was the Word that the people needed. There can be no cleansing or reviving apart from the Word of God.
The Jews’ hands (Ezra 8:26, 33). The hands of the people carried the treasures of the Lord, faithfully delivered to the temple at the end of the journey. When you meet the Lord, you will “weigh in” and find out how faithful you have been with what He has given you. Heed the words of Ezra 8:29: “Watch and keep!”
According to Ezra 7:10 , Ezra studied God’s Word, obeyed God’s Word, and taught God’s Word. He was like the person Jesus spoke about in Matthew 13:52: a student (learning) who was a disciple (living) and a householder (sharing). Having a balanced life is most important.
