Ezra's Journey

Ezra was a priest and scribe in the period after the fall of Babylon. Now under the “reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia” (v. 1), he was permitted to lead a group of priests and other Jews back to Jerusalem after the exile ended. His goal was to rebuild God’s temple that Solomon built (1 Chr 6:10), which had been destroyed by the Babylonians. He was to restore the proper order of worship (Ps 5:7). There is a stark contrast between Ezra’s journey to Babylon and the Exodus journey of the Israelites from Egypt, where Pharaoh refused to “let Israel go” (Ex 5:2). The king of Persia “made a proclamation” (Ezra 1:1), and encouraged them to return home to the land of his ancestors.

 He also gave them gifts and tax breaks as added incentives (Ezra 1:8). Ezra was to inquire concerning the spiritual well-being of Jerusalem, as well as “to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” Before the Babylonian captivity (2 Ki 24:11), Jeremiah the prophet warned God’s people to repent because of their idolatry and wickedness (Jer 1:16), but they would not. They did not listen even after they were reminded numerous times of God’s judgment as a consequence of their backslidden condition (Jer 3:12).

Although “Judah was carried away out of their land” (2 Ki 25:21), God promised to deliver them “after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon” (Jer 29:10). They may have wondered through those years in captivity that God had already abandoned them. But God is faithful (Deut 7:9)! Ezra’s account reminds us that God does not forget His promises to deliver them (Isa 49:15). That is what our Lord Jesus did for us also. He came to redeem us with His “precious blood” (1 Pet 1:19), and deliver us from the bondage of sins (Rom 6:14). You may feel discouraged and stressed out during the busyness of the holiday season. Remember, He will never forget you! God bless you!

-Pastor Melito Barrera