Ezra: The Lord HelpsSample

When my wife’s dad died, she found letters he had sent and received from his wife when they were ‘courting.’ The letters told a story. 

Ezra 5 and 6 are largely copies of the letter that the officials of TransEuphrates send to King Darius and then the king’s reply. They too are letters that tell a story. 

In the letter from the officials of Trans-Euphrates, who are opposing the building of the temple, we discover the building work is being carried out with diligence and is making rapid progress (v. 8). While it had previously come to a standstill, once the prophets Haggai and Zechariah proclaim God’s Word, the building shoots up. Verses 9 and 10 remind us that the officials of Trans-Euphrates are demanding proof of planning permission for the work and taking note of the names of those leading the building project. But from verse 11 we gain new insights into the situation. 

First, we learn the people of God define themselves as ‘servants of God’ (v. 11). How we define or think about ourselves will affect our actions. Defining myself as a doctor, an accountant, a mother or a student will in part determine where I put my energy and how I use my time. People who define themselves as God’s servants will do just that – serve God. As a result of their efforts, these people are making huge progress in the building work of God. 

Second, the people of God confess their sinfulness to God (v. 12). They know that they were rightly under the wrath of God because their forefathers had angered God. They are the last in line of generations of people who had disobeyed God (which in many ways is the story of the Old Testament). Whenever the church falls into a state of disrepair, it is because of the disobedience of His people. But God’s people acknowledging their sinfulness and returning to God in repentance is a significant step in the church being restored. 

As Christians, we should define ourselves as servants of God, and as those who deserve only God’s wrath but by grace have received His mercy. That will profoundly affect the way we live.

Reflection

Consider how you define yourself. Think about your place before God as a sinner deserving His wrath, then rejoice in God’s grace and mercy. Next, ask God to help you think of yourself as principally His servant.