Written by David Self Monday, 29 December :00 - Last Updated Thursday, 01 January :22

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1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview January 4, 2015 God Commands Obedience Background: Ezra 7:1-10:44 Lesson: Ezra 7: 1-10 Motivation: What is God willing to supply to His servants who trust and obey? Paul says, A nd my God shall supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19). In this passage, God supplies protection, material resources and joy. Examination: I. Ezra s Heritage (7:1-6) A. Pedigree: Ezra s ancestry is listed in verses 1-5 both to identify him and to show his ancestry to Aaron, the first high priest. It is a representative genealogy rather than a complete one. B. Profession: Ezra was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses (6a), a reference not only to his manual dexterity but also to his knowledge and interpretation of the Law. By Jesus time, the scribes seemed to be the main source of interpretation of the Law and rabbinical writings. C. Power The king had granted him everything he requested because the hand of Yahweh his God was on him. (6b) Ezra was a hero of the return and rebuilding of the Jewish people. However, it is clearly stated that his power, authority and favor were all gifts from God. 1 / 9

2 II. Ezra s Journey (7:7-9) Some of the Israelites, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants accompanied him to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes. (7) HCSB, p. 766: 7:8-9 Ezra s journey toward Jerusalem probably began on April 8, 458 B.C., but 8:15-31 tells of an immediate delay when it was discovered that no Levites were present. Taking the shortest route, this would be a journey of about 500 miles. However, such a route across the desert would be unlikely in summer, particularly during a time of political upheaval that made travel even more dangerous. The more common route covered about 900 miles. After a fourteen week pilgrimage, they probably arrived in Jerusalem on August 4, 458 B.C. III. Ezra s Goal Now Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach the statutes and ordinances in Israel. (7:10) A. Ezra Prepared his Heart Our relationship with God is a heart issue. We seek his face through confession, repentance and obedience. (Prov. 4:23) B. Ezra Pursued the Word to study the law, 2 Timothy 2:15 admonishes us to rightly divide the word of truth. Bible study is more than Bible reading, we must make a conscious effort to study, learn and apply God s truths. C. Ezra Practiced the Law obey it, James 4:17 says Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. Bible study, no matter how diligent, is worthless without Bible practice. In other words, we measure our conduct and attitudes against the rule of the Word. (Rom. 8:28-29, 14:23) D. Ezra Pronounced the Truth teach the statutes and ordinances in Israel. Notice that preparation, pursuit and practice precede pronouncement. A teacher must make God s Word a part of his/her life before sharing it with others. However, once that is done, no one influences people more than a Godly teacher who practices what is taught. (Ps. 119:11, Matt. 2 / 9

3 5:20) IV. Ingredients of a Safe Return (7:11-8:36) A. Letter (11-26) Features of Artaxerxes decree included: 1. Support for the Temple (7:12-24) Ezra received freewill offerings as well as an ample endowment from the King s treasury. In addition, the temple workers were tax exempt. This lavish support was designed to ward off God s wrath (23). 2. System of Justice (7:25) Ezra was to set up a system of magistrates and judges to enforce the Law. Evidently, he was placed in authority over the Jewish population with instruction to teach the law to Jews who were ignorant of it. 3. Sure Punishment (7:26) Ezra was given the authority to inflict death, banishment, confiscation of goods, or imprisonment. This much power given to a non-persian attests to the high regard for Ezra in the king s court. B. Laud (27-28) Praise Yahweh God of our fathers, who has put it in the king s mind, to glorify the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, and who has shown favor to me before the king, his counselors, and all his powerful officers. Ezra was grateful to God, realizing that He had put it in the king s mind (27). Ezra also praised God for His mercy and encouragement. Gratefulness is perhaps the crowning virtue from which many Godly qualities spring. C. Leave those returned with me from Babylon (8:1) In chapter two we read a list of families who made the journey from Persia to Judah. In this account, we see those who actually accompanied Ezra. 3 / 9

4 1. Leadership Is People Centered (1-14) These verses detail names. H. Ross Perot once said, Inventories are managed; people are led. Leaders cannot be so project centered that they forget the people they re leading. 2. Leadership Identifies the Gaps (15-20) After an inventory of resources, Ezra found no Levites. Since Levites would be necessary to the ongoing upkeep of the Temple, Ezra had to fill this gap. 3. Leadership Inspires the Followers (21-22) I proclaimed a fast Fasting and prayer are often found together in Scripture. The denial of physical needs heightens the sensitivity to spiritual things. Unless leaders continually point their people to spiritual applications, church work can become like any other work. 4. Leadership Involves Making Tough Decisions I was ashamed to ask the king for infantry and cavalry to protect us from enemies during the journey. (22a) Because Ezra told Artaxerxes that God would protect His people (22b), he didn t request an armed escort. As we studied in Nehemiah 2:9, an armed escort was a valuable asset. A leader often has more information and more aspects of a decision to consider than any one follower. So, at times, decisions don t seem to make sense to everyone. 5. Leadership Influences Integrity (24-30) Ezra was careful to publicly weigh and inventory the valuables before and after the trip. He involved trustworthy guardians (29) for accountability. 6. Leadership Insures a Good Result (31-36) a. Safe Passage (31-32) Ezra prayed for traveling mercies and was quick to praise God for answered prayer. Burnt offerings were given to God to highlight the answered prayers and to demonstrate a spirit of obedience. (Ps. 121) b. Sure Passage (33-34) In verses 24-30, gold and silver were parceled out to the leaders for safe keeping during the pilgrimage. Now there was an accounting for all that was given out. 4 / 9

5 We are accountable, also, for what God has given us. (Matt. 25:14-30) c. Sacrifices (35-36) Notice the lavish number of animals sacrificed. The great sacrifice reflected their deep gratitude. V. Confessing Sin (9:1-15) A. The Problem (1-4) 1. Sin Exposed (1-2) The sin that condemned Israel to exile was primarily one of idolatry. Historically, this can be traced back to intermarriage with pagans and adoption of their idols (cf. Solomon, I Kings 11:1-13). To fall back into the same sin so soon after their return from exile was staggering to Ezra. The law was clear: Deut. 7:3. 2. Sin s Extent (1-2) a. Religious leaders: priests, and the Levites (1) The religious leaders broke God s covenant and set a terrible example for all the people. b. National leaders: The leaders and officials have taken the lead in this unfaithfulness! (2) Malachi 2:11-16 suggests that some of these marriages were between Jewish men and cultic prostitutes. 3. Sin s Effect (1-4) a. detestable practices (1) This includes all foreign worship practices abhorred by God. (Jer. 10:3-5) 5 / 9

6 b. mixed (2) The consequences of intermarriage for the Jews went far beyond the desire for racial purity (Gen. 17:7-8). By marrying outside their religion, the Jews opened themselves to idolatrous practices and beliefs. c. devastated (3, 4) Ezra was so affected by the rampant sin that he tore his clothes and plucked his hair, actions associated with intense grief. (Job 1:20). d. trembled (4) Ezra s example drew others to him who also feared God. Putting God on the throne of our hearts is the only way to truly recognize sin and appreciate its consequences for us. B. The Prayer (5-15) 1. Ezra Identified with the People in their Sin (6) 2. Ezra Recognized That Their Captivity Had Come as a Result of Sin (7) We will never deal with sin as long as we excuse it as indiscretion, character weakness or slips. Ezra called sin, sin and owned up to it. 3. Ezra Glorified God for His Grace and Mercy (8-9) God redeemed His people out of slavery once again. 4. Ezra Agonized Over the Nature of People s Sin (10-12) Ezra admitted that the people had no defense or rationale. The law was clear; they had broken it. 5. Ezra Apologized and Asked for God s Mercy Again (13-15) Ezra recognized that God had dealt mercifully with them in the past and that the people had returned immediately to their sin. He had no defense other than to throw himself and the people on the mercy of the court. 6 / 9

7 (Heb. 10:15-25; 4:15-16) VI. Turning from Sin (10:1-44) A. Remorse While Ezra prayed and confessed, weeping and falling facedown before the house of God (1a) The people also wept bitterly (1b) Confession and heartfelt repentance are the key ingredients in genuine revival. B. Repentance Let us therefore make a covenant before our God to send away all the foreign wives (3) Ezra s strong spiritual leadership led to a strong gra ss roots movement of revival. The people met, confessed their sin, and made arrangements to correct the problem. The decision to send away their idolatrous wives should not be seen as an approval passage for all divorce. The Hebrew word send away is not the usual word for divorce. Also, the Hebrew word for marrying foreign women strongly suggests that those were not legal marriages at all. Christians should be the best spouses in the marriage they have. Application: 1. Teachers must be willing to first study then practice God s truth. Every parent is a teacher. (John 17:17) 2. Certain issues cannot be compromised in the Christian life; they are non-negotiable. 3. The only proper response to sin is repentance. 7 / 9

8 4. The words of repentance must be followed by the deeds of reform. Leader Pack Item 1: Map: Returns of Jewish Exiles: Item 8: Chart: Returns of Jewish Exiles ; Item 14: Poster: Ezra 7:10 Illustrator, p. 86 Returning to Judah Notes: **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format and notes at: lestudy.org Dates: 12/24-25 Christmas Holiday, church offices closed; 12/28 No LBS; 12/31 Summit New Year s Eve Party. 2015: 1/1 New Year s Day offices closed; 1/4-24 Missions Expo; 1/7 - HUB Rally; 1/9-10 HUB Ministry Weekend; 1/11 AMP/WIRED Sunday; 1/13 Night of Prayer; 1/21 Milestones preview; 1/23 Midnight Madness; 1/25 Fitness Expo; 1/28 Milestones begins; 1/30-2/1 Passion Conf. in Houston; 8 / 9

9 2/1 Super Bowl Sunday; 2/8 HUB Girls Event; 2/15 Parent Commitment; 2/15-17 Next Gen Staff Retreat; 2/20 Scott Nute Global Ministry Benefit Dinner; 2/22 MIYCO; 2/27 ReCreate Date Night; 2/27-28 Legacy 685 Conference. 9 / 9