Sat.’s Devo - Ezra’s Role -

Read: Ezra 7:1-8:20; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 20:28-30

After Darias’ reign, Artaxerxes came to reign. This is the king who married Esther. 

Ezra is introduced who was the grandson or great-grandson of Seraiah who was the high priest put to death by Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah in 2Ki 25:18. It had been one hundred thirty years since he was killed. Seriaiah’s grandson Jeshua now held the office of high priest and had accompanied Zerubbabel in the first caravan of returning exiles. Ezra must have been a grandson, too. Ezra was a skilled scribe and the Lord was with him.

Ezra left Babylon in the seventh year of Artaxerxzes with some the priests and Levites, singers, gatekeepers, temple servants and people. It took them only five months to get to Jerusalem. He had with a letter from Artaxerxes saying that any of the Jews who wanted to go with him could go. He gave Ezra gold and silver and anything the people wanted to give to use it to buy animals for offering to the Lord. Anything they needed for the sacrifices would be provided so they could pray for blessings from the Lord on the whole land. He was also to make sure the men serving in the Temple were not taxed. 

The king told Ezra to do whatever the Lord told him. He was to appoint magistrates, and judges to judge the people according to the laws of the Lord and the king. Ezra was to decide what their punishment should be according to his knowledge of the law of God and the law of the land.

Ezra blessed the king for wanting to do this. and he gathered many people who wanted to return to Jerusalem. But, among the hundreds that wanted to return there were no priests. He sent word to the leading men of the towns to send an appeal for priests and over 250 priests responded. 

In Corinthians, Paul explained the difference between the way the pagans looked at their priests and the way the church should look at their leaders. The people judge the pagan priests but God is the one who judges the church’s priests and leaders. The Jewish religion made known to all the people the mysteries of their religion, while the pagans concealed their mysteries from all but the "initiated" few.

So, since everything is transparent in the church and everyone can know the mysteries of God, there is no reason to be puffed up and think more of themselves than they ought. 

Paul went to great care to let them know his state of his affairs. He was poor in the world’s eyes, yet he had the wisdom of God which made him very wealthy. He came to them as a father, not like their leaders who lorded their authority over them. 

Paul was sending them Timothy to teach them the ways of Christ and hoping to come later, Lord willing. Paul reminded them that the kingdom of God does not consist of of talk but power. He asked them if they want him to come with a rod of correction or the spirit of gentleness. Paul was their example of how to live a humble godly life. He was giving them time to repent and change.

Lord, may we remember that we have nothing that you haven’t given us. Help us to be grateful and humble instead of arrogant and proud. You have given us so much and we are very thankful. May we be good stewards of all the blessings you have given us.