Ezra: The Lord HelpsSample

I love the words often attributed to D.L. Moody, the nineteenth-century American evangelist: ‘The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to Him.’ 

God can powerfully use individuals who are wholeheartedly devoted to Christ. Indeed, later we see how important the one man Ezra was to realizing a remarkable transformation among the people of Judah. But for God’s church to experience a reformation it requires more than just one person to be fully consecrated to God. We see that very clearly here in Ezra 2. 

Throughout Ezra 1 God moved hearts so that His people could move from Babylon to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. First, in 1:1, God moved in the heart of King Cyrus, an unbeliever, to create a mandate for the people of Judah to leave, laden with valuable materials, livestock, and the temple articles. Second, in 1:5, God moved in the hearts of His people so that many were prepared to make the move. Chapter 2 is that movement. 

Verses 2–61 list all those who make the hugely sacrificial move from Babylon to Jerusalem. We might try and imagine the personal stories behind each name, but initially, it’s important to see a whole people moving together. Yes, God uses individuals, and one person fully consecrated to Him can be mightily used by Him. But what a difference when God’s people move together. 

Imagine a group of people encouraging each other to move together to a new region to plant a new church. None of them feel strong enough to do it on their own, but together ….! Picture the majority in a church family obeying an inspiring sermon. One or two being changed would be significant, but when a whole church family is transformed through obedience ….! 

In Ezra 2, we see people obediently moving. The list begins in verse 2 by naming the leaders. This is godly leadership: leading from the front and by example. And what follows are many people, thousands of them, ‘upping and leaving’ to work towards God’s temple being restored.

Reflection

Ask the Lord to put godly people around you so that together you can spur each other on, in love and obedience. Pray that the Lord would make you an inspiration to others. Ask the Lord to raise up godly leaders who will lead His people with their example of sacrificial living.