September 16th~The Gracious Hand of God

Ezra 4:7-23

Ezra 7:1-8:36

A man named Ezra, a direct descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses, led a second return of exiles back to Jerusalem (464 BC). This event occurred more than seventy years after the first return under Zerubbabel and Jeshua (538 BC). As a priest and scribe, Ezra was commissioned by King Artaxerxes with two tasks, to beautify the Temple and to teach the people the laws of God (7:25, 27). To beautify the Temple, the King arranged for vast amounts of money and resources to be given to Ezra from the royal treasury.

What could have possibly caused this pagan king to commission such a work to glorify God in this way? In a letter he sent with Ezra, the King wrote, “Be careful to provide whatever the God of heaven demands for His Temple, for why should we risk bringing God’s anger against the realm of the king and his sons?” (7:23). Though the king may have allowed this work for selfish reasons, we know that there are other unseen reasons. We must remember that Esther and Mordecai are still alive at this time and influencing the activities of the state, not to mention that God has consistently stirred the hearts of kings for His glory for ages (Proverbs 21:1).

Whatever the reason for the king’s kindness towards the Jews, Ezra credited “the gracious hand of God” (7:28). This phrase is used multiple times in both Ezra and Nehemiah (which is thought to be written by Ezra). “The King gave me everything I asked for because the gracious hand of God was upon me” (7:6, 9; 8:18, 31).

Why was the gracious hand of God upon Ezra’s life? “This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the law of the Lord and to teach those laws and regulations to the people of Israel” (7:10). Ezra was a teacher of God’s Word, someone who helped others to understand what

God expected of them. However, though he presented the words of God to others, he also practiced them himself. He was a student of Scripture, determined and diligent to know and do all that the Lord had commanded, and the Lord blessed Ezra as a result.

Daily Reflection

Ezra is an example of the man in Psalm 1, “Oh the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked or stand around with sinners or join in with mockers, but they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither and they prosper in all they do” (v.1-3).

Yes, Ezra was a wise man, an effective teacher, and probably a great spiritual leader, but he did not credit his blessings to his own abilities. He credited the right source, the hand of God. Whom do you credit for your successes?

Where do you see the gracious hand of God in your life? What is He doing that warrants recognition? Have you taken time to thank Him?

God honored Ezra because Ezra honored God. Do your activities, the ways that you use your time, honor the Lord? How so?

BiAY.org | Day 259 — 106 Days to Go