Good day in the Lord. Text: Ezra 7:6-10 Fifty-eight years elapse between the Passover celebration of 516 B.C. reported in chapter 6 and the events of chapter 7. In the wider empire Darius had proven to be capable, and his aggressive son Xerxes had even burned Athens before being thrown back from Europe by the Greeks. His successor, Artaxerxes, was a weaker ruler, but the massive Persian empire still dominated Syria/Palestine. But now, in little Judah the enthusiasm aroused by the completion of the temple has faded. The teachings of God’s Law are increasingly ignored, and temple worship has become routine. At this critical junction, Ezra, a descendant of Aaron and “a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses,” arrives in Jerusalem (7:1–10). He comes with donations for the temple—and with a royal commission to appoint judges and to enforce both Old Testament and Persian law in Judah (vv. 11–26). Ezra brings with him a number of leading men from the Jewish community in Babylon (7:27–8:20). Depending on God alone for protection, the company had set out carrying great wealth. It arrives safely in Judah with all treasures intact (8:21–30). There the new settlers offer sacrifices and deliver the king’s orders to the district governor (vv. 31–36). Key verse. 7:10: “Teach” follows “study” and “observe.” Personal application. When we do God’s work we can expect God to enable us (see Ezra 7:9, 28; 8:18, 22, 31). Key concepts. Law » Joshua 1. Temple » Temple. Genealogy » 1 Chronicles 1–3. Fasting » Isaiah 58–59. Prayer » 1 Samuel 1:1–2:11. Richards, L. O. (1991). The Bible reader’s companion (electronic ed.) (311). Wheaton: Victor Books.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Jul 2013 14:06:24 +0000
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