What do you do when God provides an unexpected gift in your life? In the time of Ezra, the reigning king, Artaxerxes, had a huge change of heart. He went from shutting down work on the temple to giving full support and sending Ezra to teach God’s people God’s law. Today, we see how Ezra responds to this kindness from the Lord. His reaction is a model for us as we reflect on the many ways God continues to work in our world today.
After Artaxerxes listed all the financial resources he was supplying for the temple, he issued an order that Ezra was eager to obey: “And you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom of your God, which you possess, appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people of Trans-Euphrates—all who know the laws of your God. And you are to teach any who do not know them” (Ezra 7:25).
Ezra gave credit for all of this to the Lord. He says, “Praise be to the LORD, the God of our ancestors, who has put it into the king’s heart to bring honor to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem in this way” (v. 27). And for the third time since we met Ezra in Ezra 7:1, he says that “the hand of the LORD my God was on me” (v. 28). And so Ezra obeyed the king’s order, which in this case was consistent with what God had called him to do: “I took courage and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me” (v. 28).
As we read of God’s work in ancient Persia and His faithfulness to Ezra individually and His people as a whole, we cannot help but to marvel at both. Ezra’s response of worship and courage is a model to follow as the Lord works in our own lives.
Go Deeper
How do you respond when the Lord works in your life? How does His faithfulness inspire obedience, courage, and worship in you?
Pray with Us
King Jesus, there is great reward in keeping Your commands. When we live for You, our lives are blessed and others take notice. Make our lives a testimony for You.
Praise be to the LORD, the God of our ancestors, who has put it into the king’s heart to bring honor to the house of the LORD.Ezra 7:27
