Ezra: The Lord Helpsናሙና

You might have thought the book of Ezra would end at chapter 6. The temple has finally been built and God’s people are celebrating – full of joy. But there’s still a huge rebuilding work to be done to reform the people of God themselves. 

7:1 takes place almost 60 years later. Artaxerxes is on the throne in Persia. The people of God are well established in Jerusalem. Then Ezra arrives on the scene (v. 1). Finally, we meet the man after whom the book is named! 

Verses 1–5 record Ezra’s family tree. These names might seem like a list of unpronounceable people we know nothing about, but this is no waste of ink and parchment. They assure us that Ezra’s family line can be traced all the way back to Aaron the chief priest (v. 5), Moses’ right-hand man. Ezra’s pedigree is second to none. If he were a racehorse, he’d be a thoroughbred! Ezra is a bona fide priest. We’re also to note one particular aspect of his priestly role: he is a teacher. This is repeatedly emphasized (vv. 6, 10, 11, 12, 21, 25). 

God sent His people Ezra, a teacher of His Word, precisely because they need to be taught the Word of God in order to be reformed. Verse 10 tells us more about why Ezra is such a brilliant man for the job. 

First, he is ‘devoted’ to God’s Word. This strong word means to be singleminded and undistracted. 

Second, Ezra is devoted to the ‘study’ of God’s Word. Understanding God’s Word takes dedication and hard work. A teacher must understand what God’s Word says, rather than what they want it to say. 

Third, he is devoted not only to studying God’s Word but to ‘observance’ of it. Leaders must be personally committed to obeying God’s Word to bring about change in a church. The Pharisees of Jesus’ day were devoted to studying God’s Word but didn’t live it out. Ezra lived it. 

Fourth, Ezra is devoted to ‘teaching’ God’s Word. That’s not easy; it means challenging error and impurity and often results in being unpopular. But unless there is devotion to teaching the Word of God, compromise will soon occur. 

Ezra’s devotion to studying, living, and teaching God’s Word made him God’s man for the job of bringing God’s Word to God’s people to effect God’s outcome – the reformation of God’s people.

Reflection

Consider how the people of God need to be reformed today. Pray for your leaders to be devoted to the study, observance, and teaching of God’s Word. Pray for more devoted teachers to be installed in church leadership in your nation and around the world.