March 2, 2025
6 this Ezra came up from Babylon; and he was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given. The king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the Lord his God upon him. 7 Some of the children of Israel, the priests, the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the Nethinim came up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes. 8 And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. 9 On the first day of the first month he began his journey from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. 10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek[a] the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel. Ezra 7:6-10
The world owes the Jews a great debt. Through their people came the word of God and the Savior of the world. They received the law, faithfully copied it, and protected it through the ages.
Ezra, a direct descendant of Aaron the high priest, was a man faithful to God in his generation. He was well versed in the Law of Moses, and because of it the king of Persia, Artaxerxes, sent him back to Jerusalem to administer and teach the Law to the people. The king did not send Ezra and the group of captives back empty-handed. In Ezra’s hands was the Law, a letter from the king, and everything he asked for including gold and silver provided by the king, his advisors and the people of Persia. Furthermore, the king instructed the treasurers of Trans-Euphrates (the area west of the Euphrates) to provide Ezra, the priest, with whatever the God of Heaven prescribed.
Think of it! God caused three kings of Persia (Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes), the captors of the people of Israel, to assist in sending the people back to their own land with their hands full of treasure.
What is your need today? Do your obligations seem impossible to settle? If we waited until we thought we had it together or we were somehow worthy of His help we would never ask God for anything. Whatever the reason for your situation God will meet your needs, but like Ezra you must petition the King. Be specific in your requests, and let God show you how much He really loves you! LG
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