Ezra 7:6 - 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.
Twice in these first nine verses of this chapter of Ezra we read how the gracious hand of the Lord was on Ezra (verses 6 & 9). Why is that? What made Ezra so special that this gets pointed out to us twice like that?
Could it be that God just really liked him? Perhaps. Could it be a way to show that God loves to protect His faithful servants? I'd say that's definitely a big part of it. So what made Ezra such a faithful servant? The answer, I believe, lies in the beginning of Verse 6 and 10. In Ezra 7:10 it says, "This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel."
It wasn't just that Ezra sought to know God and be in an intimate relationship with Him. It was also because he passed on the Word of God to the people. He didn't hoard the message, he shared it. When I came across this passage, I was reminded of Jesus' conversation with Peter on the shore after His resurrection. In John 21:15-17, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. He then told him to feed and take care of His sheep. How was Peter supposed to do that? By sharing the Word of God.
After Peter's denials of Jesus, while he was moping about in the fishing boat, God gave him the opportunity to redeem himself by sharing the Gospel with others. Peter was obviously one of Jesus' favorites despite his bumbling ways, and Jesus had great plans for Peter.
Jesus is the Word of God as we all know (John 1). His Word and His promise of salvation give us the nourishment we need to live (John 4:32,34). The best part of this promise, is that it is for everyone. While Peter was tasked with taking His message to the Jews, salvation was always intended for everyone. Paul mentioned this in his letter to the Romans. He said, "We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are" (Romans 3:22). Paul also told us that God is not just the God of the Jews, but the God of the Gentiles also (Romans 3:29).
God's promises of His unfailing love and salvation for everyone were never meant to be kept a secret for a select few. We should be willing to share it with anyone who wants to listen. That is how we finish the work that Jesus Christ started so long ago. It's easy to think we have nothing in common with the stranger we pass on the street, or to think we have nothing to say to someone we don't know. But we do. Start with John 1 and pass it on.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your promises of unfailing love and salvation for all who believe. Thank You for the opportunity You give me every day to feed your lambs. I pray for the opportunity to boast of Your goodness and Your love. I pray for those that don't know You. My prayer is that they will hear about You, and respond to Your message by coming into a relationship with You. If I can be used for that purpose, I am Your willing servant. I pray that others will be willing and obedient to pass on Your message, and share You with as many people as possible. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen!
God Bless!!!
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