Back from hiatus // A Look at Ezra 7

Okay, we are moved to Michigan, and I'm setting up as pastor in a new congregation, with a folding chair and laptop for an office.  So after a hiatus of packing all our stuff in boxes, loading them on trucks, driving across country, unpacking the essential boxes, I return to writing.  Typing is a bit harder with sore forearms and hands, but I'll survive.

I'm starting a new feature today.  From my personal devotions I'll regularly pick one Bible chapter to
- summarize the text
- show Christ in the text
- describe applications in three areas:
  - culture/worldview
  - doctrine
  - personal piety

Here's an example

Ezra 7

The Text

Ezra only came to Jerusalem after building the temple was finished. (6:15)

He was a priest descended from Aaron directly (7:1-5).

It took 5 months to get there! (7:8)

He was a skilled teacher of Scripture, diligent to do what He studied in the Word, and to teach it to Israel (7:6, 10).

He carried a letter from Persian king Artaxerxes, authorizing any Israelite to return with him, and to take a specific amount of money for sacrifice to Yahweh in Jerusalem.  Temple workers were exempt from Persian taxes.

Ezra was authorized to set up a judiciary and train them if necessary.  Their decisions had authority up to and including the death penalty.

Christ in the Text

The offices of king, prophet and priest work together harmoniously as they should in Ezra 7.  Artaxerxes ruled authorizing Ezra the prophet to teach, and Ezra the priest to properly sacrifice to God.

Jesus too was sent by His Father on a mission to Israel, enabled by the resources of the King to teach and sacrifice for His people.

Culture

We Americans are quick to separate state and church, but it is a blessing from God when the king subsidizes worship of the true God.  A nation can do this without making non-Christians second-class citizens.  There is a vast difference between religious subjugation like in Muslim nations with dhimmitude, and endorsing and supporting the true religion while staying silent about the rest.  We have lost this distinction today in our civil religion.  Freedom to exercise religion does not force the government to act strictly equally toward all religions.

Doctrine

In whatever time and circumstance, God provides teachers of His Word for His people.

The proper worship of God takes resources and planning.

Note the lack of qualms Ezra has taking pagan Persian money for use in worshiping Yahweh.

Piety

Think on this chapter from the individual Israelite’s view.  What a lot of time, energy and expense your leaders put into providing you access to the Bible and to worship.  Make use of these means of fellowship with God!