Ezra

Ezra is basically another book of history. It focuses in on the history of the rebuilding of the temple of the Lord. It actually stretches over a really long period of time even though it is only ten chapters. Besides the obvious passion that it shows God to have for the remaking of the glory of His house, Ezra has quite a few things to note.

There are a few interesting points in Ezra that have to do with God's sovereignty. (1:1,5; 6:22; 7:27) In all these passages, the writer says that God caused the king to do what he did.

"The spirit of the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus (1:1)."

"The Lord... had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them (6:22)."

"Blessed be the Lord... who put such a thing as this into the hear of the king (7:27)."

All of these explicitly state that God changed their hearts or spirits or whatever to do what He wanted them to do.

Another thing that I noted was in chapter nine, verse thirteen. "... you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserved..." This brings me back to Deuteronomy 28 and the connection in Romans 3:21-26. Except now, instead of me assuming that the Lord doesn't pour out His wrath on them like He promised, Ezra explicitly confirms that. You have punished us less than our iniquities deserved. That is crystal clear. Therefore, the Lord is unjust and unrighteous. That is why Romans 3:21-26 is so important. Actually, that is exactly why the cross is so important.

The last note is what I believe to be the main point of the book. Ezra confronts the exiles about their sin of intermarriage. This is clear in Deuteronomy 7:3-4 that the Lord has commanded them not to take daughters for their sons from among the nations around them. Do you remember why He commands this though? "... for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods (Deut. 7:4)." This is not something that is up in the air. It's not like, "Ah maybe they will turn from me, maybe they won't." They will. It's a certainty. We have examples: Numbers 25; 1 Kings 11. Just saying, it's in there.

I hope this was encouraging. These should be coming pretty fast now for awhile (especially if my boss keeps telling me he doesn't need me for work), because the next few books are only around ten chapters. As always, if you disagree, great. Don't disagree because your sunday school teacher told you though. Disagree because you've read the Word of God and have come to a different conclusion. I'm going to steal this from my favorite radio show (White Horse Inn). Know what you believe and why you believe it. And always remember that this is not just knowledge. It's not to win an argument or get better grades in your Bible class. The Word of God is so that we know the character of God. It cuts to the heart and helps to discern. It helps us to keep from sinning against Him. It creates a fear for the Lord in us. There is emotion involved. It's not all X's and O's. Love you guys.

All for His glory,

Mitchell