Road Trippin With Rachael

Up through this point of Ezra, we have more or less been given a history lesson of what happened as an overview and is gone into more detail in other books of the Bible, such as Daniel, Zechariah, and Haggai. Now, we are moving on to what actually happens during the course of Ezra arriving in Israel. Previously, the author of Ezra had given us the overview so that we (the readers/hearers) would have background knowledge for what was about to come in the upcoming chapters. There will be some overlap with Nehemiah – as the two (Ezra and Nehemiah) are contemporaries and were in Israel at the same time at one point.

However, these are two different people, who had two different callings. As we read through these next chapters, that will become more obvious. Going through these next few chapters, we will be seeing how God worked through Ezra specifically, and how these same things can be applied to our lives in the twenty-first century. Primarily, in chapter 7 we are going to be looking at how God goes before us to prepare us for what he calls us to, and that there are expectations for us to take care of what is prepared.

God Prepares in Advance

I personally cannot think of an example where I truly believed God had called me to something specific, and I was wholly unprepared for it. I do not mean that I was experienced or that I had the working knowledge to do whatever God called me to, but there were things that made me a good fit for what I believed I was called to. Some of it has been as simple as my personality; other times the preparation has been previous work experience in a totally unrelated field. In the same way, God prepares both us, and the landscape for where we are for what we are being called to do. Looking to Ezra, I would say that this is made certain based on 7:6 and 10. Ezra came to Israel from Babylon as a scribe who was skilled in the law, he had the favor of the king, and had the conviction that he needed to study God’s word, be obedient to it, and to teach it to those who had already returned to Israel. All of these are things that prepared Ezra for what God would call him to (being a priest in Israel) well before he was able to go, and others were prepared to support him. Let’s take a closer look at chapter 7 as we consider his convictions, family history, the offerings, and the protections he was given to accomplish what he set out to do.

To begin, Ezra 7:10 says that “Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the LORD, obey it, and teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel” (CSB). From the stand point of literature, the use of the term “heart” normally means “from the inner most being” or the core of who a person is. The same meaning can be derived from Hebrew (Lebab) meaning the inner man, heart, or mind. In other words, Ezra had conviction. Merriam-Webster defines conviction as follows: “a strong persuasion or belief.” Ezra had this; he was not only going to study God’s word, but obey it, and teach it to others. This is exactly what God calls every Christian to do. Christians are to hold to the strong belief that they are to study God’s word, obey, and tell others. The Apostle Paul has much to say about this is the book of Romans.

Specific to Ezra, he had familial authority on his side. As you read through the very beginning of chapter seven, where we are introduced to Ezra, his family tree is given (Ezra 7:1-5). Within Judaism the priests were to be of the tribe of Levi, and the High Priests were to be of the line of Aaron (Leviticus 8 and Numbers 16). Since Ezra was of the line of Aaron, he had the option of being selected for that role. Although in modern day society, individuals are not granted any legal or spiritual authority by virtue of the family you are born into, sans countries that do have nobility. However, that is not the case at this moment in history in Israel. Ezra had put in the work to know the word of God and was deserving of respect for his own merit, but he also had familial authority that would allow him to have a higher standing in the larger Israelite community – which would also allow for him to be a stronger influence on the people. It was no accident that he was born of the line of Aaron, had convictions about obeying God’s word, and was convicted to teach the people in Israel. God orchestrated it so that he could have the person he was calling be prepared for the task the Ezra was going to be presented with.

God also provides through finances. “You are also to bring the silver and gold the king and his counselors have willingly  given to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem, and all the silver and gold you receive throughout the province of Babylon, together with the freewill offerings given by the people and the priests to the house of their God in Jerusalem” (Ezra 7:15-19 CSB). When Ezra left Babylon, he left with a significant amount of gold and silver. This embarrassment of riches were freewill offerings that were given by the people across the province of Babylon, along with the king and other officials, for the purposes of purchasing animals to sacrifice in the newly constructed temple. The money left over was to be spent as needed (but wisely). From a modern perspective, I can say that it costs money to run any independent entity. The money that is left over could go towards a variety of things that could help the people in Israel, be contributed to the temple, or serve as a benevolence fund to go to those in specific needs. It could also go towards any repairs the temple may need – because, a structure is always in need of repairs due to weather. God had the people in Haggai rebuild his house, and then we provided the means to finance the construction (Ezra 6) and for its upkeep here in Ezra 7. We can trust that God will provide financially in some capacity.  

It isn’t only the financial provision, familiar support (in the case of Ezra), or convictions – it is also that God gives protection. Now regarding Ezra it was physical protection ( Ezra 7:24), but often God provides other forms of protection as well. Yes, we often pray for physical protect/safety when we are going on trips, but there is also spiritual protection. Was this not the case with Job (Job 1)? But God also protects us through the laws of our respective lands, through the people that are around us, and through the day to day things God blesses us with.

Stewardship of Provisions

As we can see, God does go before us and sets things up for the people he calls to specific tasks. However, it is also necessary to sate that there is an expectation that those individuals are going to be good stewards of the things that he entrusts us with. In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus gives us the Parable of the Talents. This parable specifically speaks to money, which is appropriate given that one Ezra was entrusted with the responsibility of significant wealth to transport to Israel (Ezra 7:16-19), though it can also be applied to other things such as provisions besides money (Ezra 7:16). I would use an example here of food – having that “waste not, want not” mentality. Also, and this is one I don’t think we really spend enough time discussion in general, is good sense. Far too often people do not exercise good sense when they should. God gave us the ability to think things through (Ezra 7:18, 25). Take the things that God gives you and be wise with it – think before you spend, make use of the provisions that God blesses you with, and exercise good, old fashion common sense when making decisions.

Our Application

We can have confidence when that when we are in God’s will he has gone before us to prepare the way. This can mean that there are contributing factors like our gifts, families, jobs, and those who are around us. Part of God preparing the way for his people to be in his will is also for is people to be good stewards of the gifts that they are being given. This can be by developing gifts, being mindful of finances, and using good old fashioned common sense. When we are making the most of these things given to us by God, we are able to be more engaged, and we are better prepared to serve in the capacities that God calls us to.