Ezra 7:10
This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the LORD and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel.
OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
: “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.”
Read:
Ezra 7:1-27
Many years later, during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia,* there was a man named Ezra. He was the son* of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah, son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub, son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son* of Meraioth, son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki, son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the high priest.* This Ezra was a scribe who was well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given to the people of Israel. He came up to Jerusalem from Babylon, and the king gave him everything he asked for, because the gracious hand of the LORD his God was on him. Some of the people of Israel, as well as some of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and Temple servants, traveled up to Jerusalem with him in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes' reign. Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in August* of that year. He had arranged to leave Babylon on April 8, the first day of the new year,* and he arrived at Jerusalem on August 4,* for the gracious hand of his God was on him. This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the LORD and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel. King Artaxerxes had given a copy of the following letter to Ezra, the priest and scribe who studied and taught the commands and decrees of the LORD to Israel: *"From Artaxerxes, the king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the teacher of the law of the God of heaven. Greetings "I decree that any of the people of Israel in my kingdom, including the priests and Levites, may volunteer to return to Jerusalem with you. I and my council of seven hereby instruct you to conduct an inquiry into the situation in Judah and Jerusalem, based on your God's law, which is in your hand. We also commission you to take with you silver and gold, which we are freely presenting as an offering to the God of Israel who lives in Jerusalem. "Furthermore, you are to take any silver and gold that you may obtain from the province of Babylon, as well as the voluntary offerings of the people and the priests that are presented for the Temple of their God in Jerusalem. These donations are to be used specifically for the purchase of bulls, rams, male lambs, and the appropriate grain offerings and liquid offerings, all of which will be offered on the altar of the Temple of your God in Jerusalem. Any silver and gold that is left over may be used in whatever way you and your colleagues feel is the will of your God. "But as for the cups we are entrusting to you for the service of the Temple of your God, deliver them all to the God of Jerusalem. If you need anything else for your God's Temple or for any similar needs, you may take it from the royal treasury. "I, Artaxerxes the king, hereby send this decree to all the treasurers in the province west of the Euphrates River*: `You are to give Ezra, the priest and teacher of the law of the God of heaven, whatever he requests of you. You are to give him up to 7,500 pounds* of silver, 500 bushels* of wheat, 550 gallons of wine, 550 gallons of olive oil,* and an unlimited supply of salt. Be careful to provide whatever the God of heaven demands for his Temple, for why should we risk bringing God's anger against the realm of the king and his sons? I also decree that no priest, Levite, singer, gatekeeper, Temple servant, or other worker in this Temple of God will be required to pay tribute, customs, or tolls of any kind.' "And you, Ezra, are to use the wisdom your God has given you to appoint magistrates and judges who know your God's laws to govern all the people in the province west of the Euphrates River. Teach the law to anyone who does not know it. Anyone who refuses to obey the law of your God and the law of the king will be punished immediately, either by death, banishment, confiscation of goods, or imprisonment." Praise the LORD, the God of our ancestors, who made the king want to beautify the Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem!
OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
The Bible's account of Ezra begins in the second return of the Israeli exiles to Jerusalem. Israel had been in captivity under Babylonian and Persian rule. Cyrus, one of the Persian kings, was moved by God to authorize the restoration of the Jews and the rebuilding of Jerusalem's temple. Almost a century later, Ezra went to Jerusalem to teach the restored Jews the law of God, and thereby ushered in a mighty spiritual revival in Israel.
Ezra being a priest seems to have recognized the part he would have to play in Israel's restoration. Thus, he focused on the fulfillment of his mission, preparing his heart to seek God, to do God's will, and to teach Israel. He focused on accomplishing his purpose.
With many people in the captivity of sin, and the church seeking revival, God is raising up people to usher in restoration and revival. Each of us, as believers, is called to be a part of God's great move in the earth today. But are we prepared for our purpose? Are we focused on our mission?
Knowing that we are called of God to be a part of His unfolding purpose across the world, we ought to posture ourselves like Ezra, devoting our hearts to God. Now is the hour for us to begin disciplining ourselves to prayer, the study of God's Word, and to the mission of winning souls for Christ. Like an athlete determined to win a race, we must focus on our purpose.
The focused life is disciplined, defined, and lived by a divinely given identity, destiny, purpose, mission, and passion.
Prayer: Lord, reveal the calling and gifts You have placed upon my life. Give me the earnestness to pursue Your will. By Your Spirit, I will be all You have called me to be.
About the Author: Moved by a sense of destiny, Omaudi Reid has been preaching and teaching in Christian circles in America and other parts of the world for more than eight years. He has assisted in writing and editing online and off-line publications for his local church congregation. In 2003 Omaudi started the Harvesters Online Web site, www.harvestersonline.com, to support believers across the world who enjoy sharing the gospel of Christ in their community and beyond. In 2004 Omaudi and his wife, Guerline, published their first book, Creating Unbreakable Bonds: Marital Intimacy on Three Levels. The book came out of the lessons they learned together in their marriage. Omaudi expects to continue writing articles and books to empower people to fulfill their God-given callings.
