Ezra: The Lord HelpsSample

Debbie’s life had been easy. She had two beautiful girls, lived in a substantial house in a very pleasant part of the country, and had no real financial worries. Then, one day, everything changed. She discovered her husband had been unfaithful. If that wasn’t devastating enough, within weeks she was diagnosed with significant health problems. 

It was a dreadful time for her, but it was precisely through these circumstances that she met some Christians. She had no previous connection with Christianity, nor had she ever been to Sunday school as a child. But when someone invited her to church, she accepted. There she met people who cared for her. In time she heard the gospel. Months later she turned to the Lord, who became everything to her. Years later it is wonderful to watch her serve the Lord. Her priority is to see God’s church built. What’s more, her daughters and her parents have also turned to the Lord. 

Edwin Yamauchi says that 68% of the names listed in verses 43–59 are of foreign origin. (Edwin M. Yamauchi and Elaine Philips, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther). It’s therefore likely that two-thirds of these people were descendants of prisoners of war taken captive during King David’s reign, who were then pressed into slavery (1 Kgs. 9:20–21). Once slaves, taken against their will, now, years later, they are listed among God’s people. 

A possible scenario is that these people from other countries had been pressed into service around the temple. There they heard the truth about the one true God. At some point they embraced the truth for themselves, becoming followers of the Lord. Out of their own free will they wanted to serve Him. Then their children and their children’s children followed the Lord. 

That scenario often happens. Circumstances change and we find ourselves plunged into a devastating situation that we would have never chosen for ourselves. But it turns out to be the very thing that brings us into contact with Christians or makes us open to hearing the gospel, and we turn to Jesus. 

Behind verses 43–58 we can imagine many wonderful stories like that. Real people, who were far from God, have been brought to the Lord through the most tragic circumstances. Now, years later, whole families have turned to the Lord. And, wonderfully, God has so moved in their hearts that they commit to putting the Lord and His kingdom first and wanting to serve Him in building the temple.

Reflection

Consider how the Lord uses difficult circumstances to bring people to Himself. Pray that He would fashion the circumstances of those you know who aren’t part of His family so that they hear the gospel and become Christians.