Bible Study - Leadership - Walk With GOD (Ezra) - Ezra 7, 9 and 10 - 051511

Bible Study – Leadership – Walk With God – May 15, 2011


This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “Taking the Lead.”

Our scripture is Ezra 7:1a, 6-10, 25-28; 9:4-6; 10:10-12.

The Book of Ezra focuses on the Spiritual restoration of the Jews living in Jerusalem. Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians in 586 B. C. because of sin. The Israelites were taken captive and exiled to Babylon. When Jerusalem was destroyed, the Babylonians took all of the religious artifacts from the temple in Jerusalem. After the death of King Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian Empire declined in power and Persia became the predominant ruling empire.

Persia conquered Babylon which set the stage for the Israelites to return to Jerusalem. The Persian Empire thrived from 539 B. C. to 331 B.C.

The first restoration of Jerusalem began in 538 B. C. when the new Persian king, Cyrus, issued a decree allowing the Jews and other exiles to return to their homeland. Ezra 1:1-4:

The Decree of Cyrus – 538 B. C. – First Phase of the Restoration of Jerusalem.

1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia,[1] the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled. The LORD put it into the mind of King Cyrus to issue a proclamation throughout his entire kingdom and [to put it]* in writing:[2]2 This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build Him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. 3 Whoever is among His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 Let every survivor, wherever he lives, be assisted by the men of that region with silver, gold, goods, and livestock, along with a freewill offering for the house of God in Jerusalem.”



Cyrus, the king of Persia, acknowledged that GOD had given them victory and appointed him to build HIM a house/temple in Jerusalem. King Cyrus responded by issuing a decree for all Jews who wanted to could return to Jerusalem to build a house for GOD. The purpose of phase one was to rebuild the temple and 50,000 Jews returned to Jerusalem. They rebuilt the physical temple but their hearts had not been changed toward the true worship of GOD.



GOD needed a Spiritual renewal/revival in the hearts of HIS chosen people. GOD waited until the right man was willing to obediently serve HIM. GOD knew the heart of Ezra and HE began to work in HIS heart and called him to go to Jerusalem. Ezra was a scribe who not only knew the scriptures GOD had given to Moses, he practiced them. He was also a priest. GOD knew that Ezra would need provisions to go to Jerusalem so HE worked in the heart of King Artaxerxes, who initiated phase two.



The Second phase of the restoration of Jerusalem was during Ezra’s life in 458 B. C. and involved 2,000 Jews. Ezra’s purpose was to renew a Spiritual awaking in the hearts and lives of the Jews who had returned to the Jerusalem area. Just like we studied in last week’s lesson, Ezra was a man called for such times as these.



The third phase of the restoration involved a small group of Jews in 445 B. C. GOD called Nehemiah to go to Jerusalem for the purpose of rebuilding the wall.



After the first phase of Jews had returned to Jerusalem, sin had come into their lives. They had intermarried with the local pagan women. This is a serious sin which needed to be addressed and corrected.



When we consider the three phases of restoration, they are much like our Christian journey. Christians can be led astray by sin and held captive until they come to their senses and desire to return to fellowship with GOD through CHRIST. It is often a rebuilding process. They may discover that they are going through the motions of worship and do not have an intimate Spiritual relationship with GOD through CHRIST. They confess their lack of commitment and renew their fellowship with GOD through CHRIST. They allow the HOLY SPIRIT to empower and lead them to rebuild their walk with GOD. During this rebuilding process they renew their study of GOD’S Word and apply it to their lives, as the HOLY SPIRIT leads. As they grow and mature Spiritually, they realize how vulnerable they are to the enemy and build Spiritual walls to keep the enemy from invading their lives. It is all about relationship - A Christian’s daily relationship with GOD through CHRIST as empowered and secured by the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT equals their daily walk of obedience.



Many professing Christians neglect the study of GOD’S Word. We attend Bible studies but fail to practice what we learn. We may quickly read a few verses from the Bible to ease our conscience but do we allow HIS Word to guide us through uncertain times and become a vital part of our lives? I recall a friend of mine who prayed with the Bible open and as he prayed he read certain promises that he would claim for certain prayer requests.



Ezra was a scribe, a priest who not only knew the scriptures but lived by them and applied them to his life. He knew the scripture was powerful and that he could trust what he read and what GOD revealed to him through them. He trusted GOD and GOD trusted him. Do you trust GOD and HIS Word?



As Christians, do we know and claim GOD’S promises? Is the Bible a book of history or is it alive and powerful truth which can be trusted today as we walk with GOD? Is GOD’S hand on your life leading and guiding you through HIS Word? Do you read GOD’S Word for entertainment or knowledge (Head knowledge or heart knowledge)? Is it a historical book or as a guide for your life? Do you read it to know about GOD and CHRIST or a vital resource to really get to know THEM? Do we apply GOD’S Word to our lives as the HOLY SPIRIT reveals truth applicable to our lives? Do we confirm HIS calling by studying HIS Word?



Let’s read Ezra 7:1a, 6-10:

1 After these events, during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, Ezra—

6 —came up from Babylon. He was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he requested[1] because the hand of the LORD his God was on him. 7 Some of the Israelites, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants accompanied [him]* to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes. 8 Ezra[2] came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, during the seventh year of the king. 9 He began the journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month and arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month. The gracious hand of his God was on him, 10 because Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the LORD, obey [it]* , and teach [its]* statutes and ordinances in Israel.

After these events: There was about a sixty (60) year gap between the events of chapters six (6) and seven (7). The story of Queen Esther took place during this time during the reign of King Xerxes. Artaxerxes was his son who became king in 465 B. C and ruled until 424 B. C. Ezra and his group returned to Jerusalem in 458 B. C.

In Ezra 1:1-4, we saw that the Book of Ezra began with the decree of King Cyrus in 538 B. C. which allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild their temple. The Babylonian policy was, when they conquered an enemy, they took their wealth and carried the conquered people into exile. When the Persians defeated the Babylonians, GOD placed in King Cyrus’s heart the desire to reverse this policy and encouraged those in exile to return to their homeland. Some of the Jews chose to return and rebuild the temple but the rebuilding of the physical temple did not restore their Spiritual temple. GOD knew what their problem was and HE needed a certain person to carry out the Spiritual restoration of HIS people.

During the seventh year of Artaxerxes (ahr tuh ZUHRK seez) rule, 458 B. C., Ezra was commissioned by the king to return to Jerusalem. The confidence the king had in Ezra was revealed when he entrusted the return of the temple artifacts to him. These were valuable gold artifacts taken from the temple when the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem.

The king recognized Ezra as a man of integrity and honor. He was a scribe/priest and as such knew the law which GOD had given to Moses. GOD had HIS man and the king had his man. This was a combination which equaled success. GOD touched the heart of the king such that he granted Ezra everything he needed to return to Jerusalem. Ezra did not claim any credit for what GOD had done through the king and the other officials. When GOD calls, HE provides. Our part is to go when HE calls because HE has prepared the way.

As mentioned earlier, Ezra had a group of about 2,000 people to accompany him to Jerusalem. The journey took four (4) months – Roughly from about April 1 to August 1. The king had sent a decree to Persian treasures along the route they traveled to contribute to Ezra’s mission. GOD had provided for the care of Ezra’s group.

Verse 7, gives a list of the people that accompanied Ezra. The king gave Ezra full authority to do what was needed. Again, this was a show of confidence in Ezra.

Verse 10, revealed the heart of Ezra and that was the kind of heart that GOD needed to restore the people’s heart toward HIM. Ezra chose to know GOD through HIS Word and to apply it to his life.

In our earlier lessons, we studied taking the lead when GOD calls (Joshua) and then we studied influence (Esther). In Ezra, we see these attributes as well as his commitment and devotion to GOD, the study of HIS Word, understanding HIS Word and the application of HIS Word. GOD needs HIS children’s hearts to be committed to HIM and them willing to obediently serve HIM, when HE calls.

We may think, “Well, I have been a Christian for many years and GOD has not called me.” That is much like being on a team and sitting on the bench month after month or year after year. You practice but do not get to play, until one day the coach calls your name and it is game time. You have prepared and now you are in the game. Christians need to be prepared. It is Spiritually healthy for us to be trained and ready when the call comes because we need to stay prepared just to go through a day. A moment may arise and may be just the reason GOD has placed us in such a position for such a time as this. Often, we look for big things to be called to do but GOD calls us to give a cup of cold water or a smile or encouragement, which are just as important as what we consider the big things.

We see how GOD provided when HE called HIS chosen, Ezra. Our part is to be prepared Spiritually when HE calls. Is GOD’S Word important to you? Is it alive and do you trust it to guide you as GOD reveals HIS will to you? GOD’S Word is more powerful than a two (2) edged sword as recorded in Hebrews 4:12:

12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as to divide soul, spirit, joints, and marrow; it is a judge of the ideas and thoughts of the heart.

Let’s read Ezra 7:25-28:

25 And you, Ezra, according to[12] God’s wisdom that you possess, appoint magistrates and judges to judge all the people in the region west of the Euphrates who know the laws of your God and to teach anyone who does not know [them]* . 26 Anyone who does not keep the law of your God and the law of the king, let a fair judgment be executed against him, whether death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment. 27 Praise the LORD God of our fathers, who has put it into the king’s mind to glorify the house of the LORD in Jerusalem,[13] 28 and who has shown favor to me before the king, his counselors, and all his powerful officers. So I took courage because I was strengthened by the LORD my God,[14] and I gathered Israelite leaders to return with me.

The letter the king gave Ezra was recorded in Ezra 7:11-26. This scripture is a portion of this letter. The king acknowledged Ezra’s relationship with GOD because he saw Godly wisdom in Ezra’s life. The king trusted him to establish a ruling form of government by allowing him to appoint magistrates and judges to judge all the people west of the Euphrates River. Many of the provinces were west of the Euphrates River.

Notice in verse 25 that magistrates and judges must know GOD’S Word or else he had to teach them GOD’S Word. The king gave Ezra the authority to judge and mete fair punishment.

Verse 26 concludes the letter.

In verse 27, Ezra praises GOD for HIS faithfulness and consistent care for the Jews over the ages. It was GOD WHO placed in the king’s mind the desire to help the Jews restore Jerusalem. Ezra rejoiced that GOD found favor with him such that the decision makers (The King’s Officials) cooperated in providing what was needed for him and his group to go to Jerusalem.

When Ezra saw the hand and power of GOD working to accomplish what he was called to do, he was encouraged. This confirmed GOD’S call. Ezra went to work selecting the Israelite leaders who would return with him to Jerusalem.

Let’s read Ezra 9:4-6 and 10:10-12:

Ezra 9:4-6: Ezra’s Confession

4 Everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me, because of the unfaithfulness of the exiles, while I sat devastated until the evening offering. 5 At the evening offering, I got up from my humiliation, with my tunic and robe torn. Then I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God. 6 And I said: My God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift my face toward You, my God, because our iniquities are higher than [our]* heads and our guilt is as high as the heavens.



When Ezra arrived in Jerusalem, he realized that the major problem was sin. The phase one Jews had rebuilt the temple but they had intermarried with the local people. This was not an inter-racial concern it was all about mixed-faith. The Jews had married pagans. This revelation brought Ezra to his knees. He was dumb-founded and stunned. Those who knew the truth, as revealed in GOD’S Word, gathered around him agreeing that this was a serious Spiritual matter. Ezra stayed praying until about 3 o’clock. He got up and in humiliation which caused him to tear his tunic (inner garment) and robe.



Ezra then fell prostrate on the floor with his hands to GOD. Ezra took ownership of the problem. Their sin was his sin. He confessed his shame and embarrassment before GOD such that he could not lift his face toward HIM because their sins. These sins were not trivial but higher than their heads and their guilt went all the way to heaven. They had no excuse. They were guilty.



Does sin break your heart? Does the sin of others break your heart? Does the sin of our nations break your heart? We, as Christians have compromised our faith so much that we, too, have sinned. Will we, as Christians, confess this sin before GOD and do something about it as GOD leads?



Ezra 10:10-12:

10 Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have been unfaithful by marrying foreign women, adding to Israel’s guilt. 11 Therefore, make a confession to the LORD God of your fathers and do His will. Separate yourselves from the surrounding peoples and [your]* foreign wives.” 12 Then all the assembly responded with a loud voice: “Yes, we will do as you say!

In addition to being a scribe, Ezra was a priest. His lineage has been traced back to Aaron. In the role as priest, Ezra addressed the people regarding their sin of marrying foreign women.

Ezra challenged the people to confess their sins and repent. Repent means to stop doing what they had been doing. Ezra challenged them to separate from the pagans who surrounded them (Their neighbors) and their foreign (pagan) wives. Separate as used in this scripture was used in Genesis when GOD separated the night from the day. In other words, it was to be a clear and unquestionable separation as obvious as night and day. Did they have to move or divorce their pagan wives? They had to live distinctly different lifestyles. It could mean moving and did mean divorce. They had to take action to live as GOD had instructed them. It was drastic but necessary.

It is much like a young person I spoke to a few weeks ago that was battling drug addiction. He needed to get a new set of drug-free friends. There are times when we need to separate from our surroundings.

Here we have to quickly add a caution that this is not a reason for divorce. But GOD’S Word is very clear that Christians should not marry non-Christians. But if you are already married, the Apostle Paul gave Christians a teaching on being unequally yoked. The Christian was to live such that his/her life would be a witness to his/her non-Christian spouse. If the non-Christian chose to leave then there wasn’t much the Christian could do about it.

In this case, the people present agreed to comply with Ezra’s request.

How does this all apply to Christians today?

Ezra was a scribe and priest. He was a person of integrity. The secular world that he traveled in recognized that there was something pleasantly different about him. Do we as Christians live our lives such that others see something different in our lives? When we, as Christians, read the Bible do we read it to live by or just to say we have read it? As we read and study the lives of those in the Bible, do we believe GOD is the same today and works in HIS chosen people’s lives to bring about HIS desired results as HE has done throughout the ages?

Circumstances may change but GOD works today just as HE has always worked. Ezra walked with GOD by embracing HIS Word. Christians need to walk with GOD by reading, studying and applying HIS Word to their lives. Ezra prepared without knowing that he was being prepared for an awesome journey and responsibility for GOD. Before Ezra was called, he was diligent about knowing GOD through HIS Word. As a result, GOD chose HIM when the time was appropriate. Are you preparing to be chosen for a time such as this? Blessings