We should understand that God does not choose people randomly, but with His purposes in mind.
We first meet Ezra in chapter 7 of the book named after him and there’s some interesting statements given to us.
His whole family line back to Aaron, God’s Priest, is given in detail with sixteen generations listed. God is still calling people from ancient family lines who served Him before.
6 this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher WELL VERSED in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, FOR THE HAND OF HIS GOD WAS ON HIM. Ezra 7
He had the authentic lineage of a priest and was a teacher of the law and he was called to guide Judah in their own land. God had a purpose for Ezra, he wasn’t chosen at random. He was handpicked by God and SO ARE WE TODAY!
The phrase, ‘For the hand of His God was on Him’ is repeated three times in the chapter. The first instance records Favour with the King, he was granted EVERYTHING he asked for. Will this be repeated in our day, RESOURCES GIVEN FOR BUILDING GOD’S KINGDOM?
7 Some of the Israelites, including priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers and temple servants, ALSO CAME UP TO JERUSALEM in the SEVENTH year of King Artaxerxes. Ezra 7 (Seven is the number of Perfection and Completion, ‘Seventh Year’, chapter 7, verse 7).
God’s Word records five offices of God who returned with the Teacher Ezra to Jerusalem. ALL WERE NEEDED in God’s eyes to restore worship in the Temple and each was listed, from the priests to the Temple servants. God has a place for everyone in His work and worship, ALL ARE STILL NEEDED. He is assembling the RESOURCES AND PEOPLE to build His Church on earth today.
9 He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for THE GRACIOUS HAND OF HIS GOD WAS ON HIM. 10 For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. Ezra 7
The second mention of God’s Hand was regarding TRANSITION! They had a long journey of four months to get back to their own land and God oversaw that Transition. The Church today is also a long way from where we should be, but God’s Hand will bring us back to our rightful place.
27 Praise be to the Lord, the God of our ancestors, … 28 and who has extended His Good Favour to me before the king and his advisors and all the king’s powerful officials. Because the HAND OF THE LORD hand my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.
The Lord’s Hand was upon Ezra and he took courage and Gathered the leaders of Israel, UNITY AMONG LEADERS, ONLY THROUGH GOD. There is only Spirit and He alone has the perfect plan for the Body.
God’s Hand brings 1. Favour and Resources. 2. Everyone is needed. 3. Unity among leaders.
May the Gracious Hand of Our God be upon all us today. Amen