September 25, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Ezra 7 - We're finally introduced to Ezra in this chapter.  Ezra was a skilled scribe living in Babylon, verse 6.  Ezra had asked the king for permission to go back to Jerusalem and he was granted that desire.  This chapter lists some of those who came back with him.  Note verse 10 for it gives an excellent approach to studying the Word of God.  First, prepare your heart to read and seek the Lord in your reading.  Then purpose to put what you read to practice in your life.  Then you will be ready to teach this word to others.  The king gave Ezra a decree giving permission for Ezra and the priests to carry on their ministry in Jerusalem.  Ezra recognized God's hand in all this, verse 27.

Ezra 8 - Ezra's companions are mentioned and he has all of them join him in prayer and fasting for God to give them a safe journey to Jerusalem.  Ezra gives God praise in verse 23 when he clearly says, "...and He answered our prayer."

Ezra 9 - Ezra found out that many of the people who had already come back to Jerusalem had intermarried with the ungodly people living around them.  Ezra was so angry, verse 3, and others joined him in his sorrow.  From verse 5 through verse 15, Ezra prays a mighty prayer of confession and seeks God's forgiveness.

Ezra 10 - While Ezra prayed a large number of the offenders came to him and humbled themselves before God.  They promised to put away any relationship they had with the wicked people around them.  They promised to obey God's commandments.  A full list of the offenders is given in the last verses of this chapter.