Ezra was of the priestly family, and his genealogy is traced back to Aaron, the first high priest. But though he became a priest by birth, and consecration, he only became “a ready scribe in the law of Moses” through personal study of the Word of God. It is nice to read also of him that he had prepared his heart not only to seek the law of the Lord but to do it; he was a true teacher. In a later day the faithful Apostle could point to his own example, and say, “Ye know,... after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,... but have showed you, and taught you publicly, and from house to house.” (Acts 20:18-2018And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, (Acts 20:18‑20).) It is good for us to remember his exhortation to Timothy: “Till I come, give attendence to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.... Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.” 1 Tim. 4:13, 1513Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (1 Timothy 4:13)
15Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. (1 Timothy 4:15).
There was no miracle, no display of glory or of power in Ezra’s day; he moved in ordinary circumstances. His resources were only what ours are today — the Word and the presence of God. But he was a man of God; and so great were his exercises that he went to the king to get his permission to go to Jerusalem that he might teach there the commandments and statutes of the Lord. We are told that the king granted all his request, according to the hand of his God upon him.
This second exodus from Babylon took place in the seventh year of Artarxerxes. There went up with Ezra a company of the children of Israel, priests, Levites, singers, and the Nethinim. The king had given Ezra a letter acknowledging him as a priest, and oa scribe of the God of heaven. He desired for him peace in his undertaking. In examining the contents of this remarkable letter we read: (1) It called upon all those in Israel who of their own free will desired to go back to Jerusalem to go up with Ezra. (2) All who read this letter would know that Ezra was sent of the king and his counselors. (3) The king and his counselors were freely offering silver and gold to the God of Israel whose habitation was at Jerusalem. (4) Ezra was empowered to collect from the people of Israel in all the province of Babylon a freewill offering for the house of their God. (5) Ezra was to use this money to buy speedily animals and all that was necessary for the offerings to be offered upon the altar of the house of God at Jerusalem. (6) He was given liberty to use the rest of this money as seemed good to him after the will of God. (7) Certain vessels were to be given for the service of the Lord at Jerusalem. (8) If more funds were needed, they were to be supplied out of the king’s treasures. (9) The treasurers beyond the Euphrates were to give Ezra all that he required up to 100 talents of silver, as well as wheat, wine and oil. (10) Whatsoever was commanded by the God of heaven was to be done speedily, for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons? (11) It was unlawful to impose tribute or custom upon the priests or Levites. (12) The penalty of death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment was to be imposed on any who obeyed not the law of his God.
We can well appreciate how Ezra’s heart was filled with praise unto God for all the wonders of His love and mercy to His people.
ML 04/19/1959