In Ezra, chapter nine, verse two, Israel’s high calling was to be “holy seed,” as in Exodus nineteen, verse six, Isaiah six, verse thirteen, and Malachi two, verse fifteen, respectively. They were to be God’s possession, reflecting His person and holiness while separating themselves from the immoral ways of those who did not belong to …
In Ezra, chapter nine, verse two, Ezra arrives in Jerusalem, and he discovers that many of the people, including priests, Levites, and rulers, had married women who worshipped other gods and practiced the heathen abominations and impurities, as in verses one, two, and eleven, respectively. In the Old Testament, intermarriage with the ungodly is prohibited …
They have taken of their daughters for themselves Read More »
In Ezra, chapter nine, verse one, the past failure of the people of God to separate themselves from the sinful societies around them had led them into idolatry and immorality, and it eventually caused their captivity and exile, as in Second Chronicles thirty-six, verses fourteen through twenty-one. Now, after God had brought a small remnant …
In Ezra, chapter eight, verse twenty-three, God looks favorably on a people who humbly and earnestly fast and petition Him about a matter, as in Nehemiah one, verse four. Just as God responded favorably to Ezra’s request, He will honor all with sincere hearts and seek Him in prayer and fasting.Ezra procured Levites to go …
In Ezra, chapter eight, verse twenty-one, fasting entails abstaining from food for a limited period. God’s Old Testament people fasted to express humility, self-denial, and submission to God, to seek His grace, help, protection, and favor, as in verses twenty-one and thirty-one. Fasting occurred when they were oppressed by great cares, as in Second Samuel …
In Ezra, chapter seven, verse ten, Ezra was a model for all who would dedicate themselves as people pointed by God to studying, obeying, and teaching the Word of God, as in verses six and nine. Ezra believed that the law was given through Moses by God Himself and that it was the ultimate authority …
In Ezra, chapter seven, verse six, three times, it mentions the hand of the Lord was upon Ezra, as in this verse, verses nine, twenty-eight, chapter eight, verses eighteen, twenty-two, thirty-one, accordingly. Three reasons are here in verse ten: Ezra devoted himself to study God’s Word, to practice it, and to teach it to others. …
In Ezra, chapter six, verse fifteen, the construction was finished twenty-one years after laying the foundation in chapter three, verse ten. The ark of the covenant, containing the two tables of the law, was not in the new temple. It disappeared when Nebuchadnezzar’s army destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. Haggai one, verse fifteen, gives the …
In Ezra, chapter five, verse five, those who commit their lives to God’s cause and work are peculiar objects of his watchful care. If you strive to exalt our Lord’s kingdom and righteousness, He will never withdraw His eyes from you, as in Job thirty-six, verse seven, and Matthew six, verse thirty-three. This promise belongs …
In Ezra, chapter five, verse three, Tatnai and Shethar-boznai may be new governors or prefects whom Darius had sent, for it was usual with new kings to change the governors of provinces. They came with a question of who commanded you to build this house. No sooner did the Spirit of God stir up the …
