God Knows About Artaxerxes Ezra 8.21-23
Ezra 1:1b -” ...the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing ...” God wanted Cyrus to build Him a house at Jerusalem and any Jew that wanted to go, could go build a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel. And the people who lived around any Jew who wanted to help build the house of the Lord, were to assist him with silver, gold, supplies, pack animals, and freewill offerings for the house of God in Jerusalem.
Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.
Ezra 6;14b “They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Artaxerxes king of Persia...”
v.22 “And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.”
The historical book of Ezra is an account of Sovereign God acting on the desires of men's hearts to accomplish His will for His glory. Ezra the scribe (Ezra 7; Nehemiah 8) was skilled in keeping accurate records and in particular knowing the interpretation and application of the Word of God. Ezra was probably the compiler of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah (which were one book in Christian literature until the 3rd century and remain so in the Hebrew Bible).
Ezra and Nehemiah were written while Israel was still under Persian rule. The purpose at the time was probably to reveal that God, the Sovereign Lord of All was redeeming Israel and reestablishing true worship among them. It also reminds us today that our Redeemer God still “turns hearts wherever He will.” We need to be like Ezra – Paying Attention to God's History; Revering God's Holiness; and Seeking God's Help for His Glory as we cooperate with the Holy Spirit in Jesus' Name.
PAYING ATTENTION TO GOD'S HISTORY
Ezra knew what to look for.
Knew the Word of God v.1:1a
Recognized God's action v.1:1b
Ezra gave an accurate account (verifiable) [see stats in Chap.2 as with witnesses to Jesus' resurrection 1Corithians 15:5-8] How miraculous does something have to be to be a miracle. Tell what you know and can verify or what comes from people you know and can trust to verify. Keep statistics real Jesus fulfilling 8 prophecies is plenty.
REVERING GOD'S HOLINESS V.7:10
“Ezra had set his heart...”
God: calls us– John15:16;
moves us- Proverbs 21:1;
equips us – Luke 24:45; 2Corinthians 3:14; to “set our hearts”
“...to study the Law of the Lord...” The law of the Lord reveals His character - holiness
“...and to do it...” John13:17
“...and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” Matthew 28:19-20
The people of God separated themselves – even from help of non-believers vv.4:1-3; chptrs9-10
Repentance was community wide v.9:3,ff.
Sorrow and
Correction see also Nehemiah13:23-30
SEEKING GOD'S HELP FOR HIS GLORY Vv.8:21-23
Bragging on Jesus will often require depending on Jesus God knew about the opposition and the support Vv.4:7-24; 5:8-6:12 See Joshua chapters 3&4 – God often works upstream and out of sight.
Ezra the scribe the priest noticed God's movement around him and was careful to respect and present God as holy. In doing these he put himself in God's hands so that God would have to be God in his life.
He did these things knowing God only by God's revelation of Himself through history and the law. We can know God personally through Jesus. How should we live? Do you know God by history, law, or relationship?
