Consider this: The book of Ezra begins in 538 B.C. when Cyrus freed the exiled Jews to return to Judah. The new focus of the people was to rebuild the temple. Although they endured many struggles (chapter 4), the temple was completed in 515 B.C. under the leadership of Zerubbable. By 430 B.C. the people had grown complacent and they had married foreign women which brought in unholiness (9:2). Ezra was deeply moved by the unholy path that the people were following. His anguish over their sin opened the eyes of the people and they were broken and repentant. This led to their renewed focus on relational holiness. Ezra was a man who had been trained in the scriptures. He allowed the Law of the Lord to penetrate his heart. He followed the Law and he taught the Law (7:6-10). He was a leader who lived in a manner that pulled others to follow. He knew that true happiness can never be found apart from holiness.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Jul 2013 13:10:36 +0000
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