This Ezra was a scribe who was well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given to the people of Israel. He came up to Jerusalem from Babylon, and the king gave him everything he asked for, because the gracious hand of the LORD his God was on him. [Ezra 7.6]
The king mentioned here, Artaxerxes, appears to be one and the same as the king who earlier issued letters forbidding the rebuilding of Jerusalem. What changed?
"This Ezra."
What do we know about Ezra? Well, for starters, and possibly all we really need to know, is that over and again it is said of Ezra that, the gracious hand of the LORD his God was on him.
When the gracious hand of the LORD is upon someone - anyone - miraculous and wonderful things happen. Ezra is proof of that. When God's hand is upon a person, favor accompanies it.
What more then do we know of "this Ezra" besides that the gracious hand of the LORD his God was on him?
Just from the passage noted above, we can see that Ezra was a man well versed in the Law of Moses. Today's equivalent Christian vernacular would be, "he was a man of the Word."
Is there any correlation between Ezra having the gracious hand of the LORD upon him and him being a man of the Word? Only a simpleton would think not!
Many today wish for the gracious hand of God to be upon their lives, but few are willing to be people of the Word.
Why is the Word so important? Because the "Word" is Jesus. The apostle John said this:
So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. [John 1.14]
And Jesus Himself said this:
You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! [John 5.39]
Here is a true statement: Jesus (the Word) is covered by the gracious hand of God.
Here is another true statement: All who are in Christ are covered by the gracious hand of God.
How cool is that? Talk about blessing!
Jesus said something else significant:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” [Luke 4.18-19]
God's gracious hand is His favor! All who are in Christ not only walk in God's favor but are also ambassadors of it!
We all probably need to pause a moment and just meditate on these thoughts...
Father, thank You for the Truth of Your Word. Thank You for Jesus. Thank You for Your favor!
No comments:
Post a Comment