Title Prepared Vessel Ezra/Ezra 7:1~10
Contents Prepared vessel Ezra/Ezra 7:1~10
Key Verse: “This Ezra came up out of Babylon, a scholar familiar with the law of Moses given to him by the LORD, the God of Israel, who, with the help of the LORD his God, received everything he asked the king” (verse 6)
Word: God's work is done through those who are prepared. In 537 B.C., under the guidance of Zerubbabel and Jeshua, the first return of the Babylonian captivity (rebuilding the temple) took place. After 80 years, in 516 BC, 58 years after the temple was rebuilt, in 458 BC, the second return of the Babylonian captivity took place under the guidance of Ezra. In particular, Ezra started a religious revival movement after returning from the second captivity. The Bible speaks of Ezra as a “vessel prepared.” Let's take a closer look at who Ezra was and how he came to be used.
First, he was a scholar who was familiar with the law of Moses and loved the people passionately. That is why he led the second return of prisoners of war. Ezra was not chosen because of his good family (genealogy). God prepared Ezra armed with the Word to save the Israelites who were in a state of serious spiritual corruption. It was because there was a need for someone to enlighten the ignorant people with the word. Ezra is an expert in the Word. Verse 10 says, “He was determined to study the law of the Lord, to do it, and to teach the people decrees and ordinances.” Literally translated ‘I have made up my mind’, it means ‘I have made up my mind’. In other words, it shows how much Ezra loved the Jewish people with all his heart. An expert in the Word must not only study the Word, but also live according to the Word and decide to teach the people with love.
Second, those who are prepared with the Word will eventually receive the help of the Lord. In verse 6 it is written, “He received all that he asked of the king, because he had the help of the Lord.” Ezra, who was prepared with the word, received Jehovah's help, and after that, he received everything he asked for from the king by God's grace. It takes four months to get from Babylon to Jerusalem. What made it possible to move safely nonetheless? Verse 9 says, “With the help of the good hand of God”. For those who are prepared, God will help them with a good hand. In the same way, God, who protected the Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years, always helps and protects the life journey of our saints as they move forward with faith toward nature. Raise your beloved children as experts in the Word. Then the help of God's goodness will surely guide our children.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to become an expert in the Word. Therefore, as a prepared person, help me to be used for the expansion of the kingdom of God. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Lord's Prayer