Ezra 7: 6 "...because the hand of
the Lord his God was upon
him."
Ezra was used most effectively in
leading Israel at a most
delicate time of Israel's
history. Israel was
returning from Babylon after
70 years of exile.
Ezra was trying to
reintegrate the Jews in the
land and seeking to
reinvigorate worship in
Jerusalem; he was God's man
for that moment. Why
was he so mightily used?
"The hand of the Lord was
upon him!"
When we use that expression even
today, it seems to speak of
someone that God is using in
a most effective,
supernatural way. We
all should desire the same
for our lives! In this
passage it is revealed that
Ezra was a direct descendent
of Aaron, and thus was God's
hand on him because of his
heritage (Ezra 7: 5)? It is
a blessing when we have
those who have preceded us,
having served God and sought
to please Him, and no doubt
having prayed for their
children and succeeding
generations to devotedly
follow the Lord. This may be
in part a reason for Gods
hand on him. Another
explanation is that God
sovereignly raised him up,
set him apart, and then
directed his life, similar
to a John the Baptist.
At times in history and in life
there are those who are used
powerfully by the Lord and
it is not because of the
spiritual heritage or some
external giftedness but
simply God set them apart
and blessed them; His favor
rested upon them. And
yet the "secret" to Ezra's
life is found in v. 10.
Ezra dedicated his heart to
study, practice, and teach
the law of God. God's favor
rested upon Ezra because
Ezra "rested" upon the Word.
He was a man that was
devoted to spending time
with God in the Word--not
for the purpose of growing
in knowledge but growing in
his relationship with God (2
Peter3: 18). What he
discovered from the Word he
applied in his life. And he
practiced what he learned
and then would teach Israel
the law. Ezra
practiced before he
preached, and then when he
preached, his preaching
matched his practicing.
Those who heard him
recognized the authority in
his life AND the blessing of
God on his life.
Before you preach--PRACTICE!
And then when you preach,
it will be evident that it's
coming from an obedient
life, and God's favor will
rest upon you.
Ultimately God's hand upon a
life can best be
understood--not because of
one's heritage or His
selectivity--but by
personal, persistent, and
daily obedience to Chris!
