THE KING’S LETTER. Ezra 7:11-28 Likely, Ezra was a man of prominence in Babylon and had achieved a level of success that he was willing to relinquish for the higher purpose of divine service. Even his name, Ezra (help), reflects the nature of this godly man. He took the time to "prepare his heart" before moving forward with the work ahead. This passage teaches us that preparation is essential before making progress in God's will and work. Ezra was a "ready scribe," a teacher who was well versed in the law of Moses. In other words, he knew what he was talking about when he shared instructions with others. His words were not light-weight or subtle suggestions. He was very capable of responding to the guidance of the Lord as each opportunity for divine service arose.
This same principle of spiritual and scriptural preparation is needed today. When a person is aware of "the hand of God" on him, the usual obstacles that arise in a task are not too overwhelming. A consciousness of God's presence provides power and confidence in any service for Him. When major changes occur in our lives that involve a change of location, occupation, and the people we associate with, we need the confidence that comes from the hand of "the Lord our God" upon us.
The hand of God would have given Ezra the courage and wisdom to approach the king for permission to go to Jerusalem. The hand of God would have been on him just as it was on others who wanted to go with him, and they were granted that request. The hand of God working through him would have been on the seven advisers of the king.
Principles to apply to major life changes are: Can I see that God is behind this move? Is the objective before me consistent with my commitment as a Christian to God's people, God's assembly, the work of the Gospel, the word of God, and my family? When a believer sets their "heart" on the things of God, it means the whole person—body, soul, and spirit—is occupied with pleasing the Lord and walking in His ways. When someone has prepared their heart and has taken the word of God into it, they will obey God's word from the heart. When that is true, that person is in a condition and position to teach God's word to others.
We need to seek it out, "seek the law of the Lord." This does not happen by chance or through a casual interest in the things of God. We need to "search the scriptures" and then apply what we learn —first to ourselves, and then to the work before us. Second, we must "live it out" and "do it." It is one thing to know what God wants and to be able to teach it. It is quite another to live out from our heart that which we know to be true and right according to God's divine will. Third, like Ezra, we need to "tell it out," and then "to teach in Israel statutes and judgments" that come directly from God. Godly leadership is not based on personality, natural ability, or even learned skills. It comes to the learner from God through His word and the teaching of the Holy Spirit. Such a leader, like Ezra, is not hard to follow because of their attitude toward, consistency in, and practice of the word of God.
The decree of Artaxerxes granted permission for anyone among God's people who wished to go to Jerusalem to travel with Ezra. Spiritual leaders and laborers alike were able to go and support God's work in the way best suited to them. There is room in divine service for anyone willing to obey God's word from the heart. Although Ezra was a man in captivity, he held a responsible role and was recognized by civil authorities as a representative of the God of heaven. Because of this, he was addressed with respect even by the king. "Go up" and "go with thee" suggest a higher calling for Ezra and those with him, and a more important task than they had previously undertaken.
Our reputation in the public sphere of service where we are involved depends not only on our skill but also on our character. Willing people are a valuable asset to God's work. There are many different roles to fill, some very visible and others unseen or unrecognized. Such people who "do the will of God from the heart" can be relied upon to do what they have been called or assigned to, as they do that work "unto the Lord." Some may be more skilled in certain areas than others. Some will work with more enthusiasm than others. But there is room in God's work for "laborers in the harvest."
God's work comes at a cost, but how we pay it has changed since Ezra's time. In those days, the earthly king supported God's people in a tangible way. Today, we show our gratitude to a heavenly king who has "given us all things" by supporting His work. He trusts us to be good stewards of His generous gifts, which He places in our hands, to do the work He has called us to do.
We do not accept government funds from the earthly realm for projects and work dedicated to His heavenly kingdom. The aims of the two are significantly different; we accept and use funds from those in the kingdom of heaven, but not from those who serve the "god of this world." We are focused on advancing the heavenly kingdom and supporting those who work for God's kingdom.
It seems Artaxerxes and his advisors acknowledged the God of the Israelites as the God of heaven. To secure the favor of the God of the Jews, they sent gold and silver. The king's decree assured that the officials in the Trans-Euphrates region provided Ezra with everything he needed tax-free. Artaxerxes recognized God as "your God," a figure quite different from the gods of his nation and nearby peoples. He understood that, in a special way, the "house of God" in Jerusalem was the only place where Jews were meant to worship as a people. He knew "your God" had a unique "house of God," and that Ezra taught "the law of God" to God's people. He also saw that Ezra, in a special way, possessed the wisdom of God.
The testimony of believers has many facets through which God is revealed to those around them when God's people live for Him and serve Him wholeheartedly. Ezra's task was to bring order and a sense of responsibility to the king's decree, and to thank God for moving the king’s heart to allow the exiles to return to Israel. They had become comfortable in their surroundings and, through intermarriage with pagan worshippers, they were reverting to the ways of the world, which led to the captivity of their ancestors.
From this point forward in the book, Ezra identified himself with the Lord's people, standing with them through all their failures and in their work. He responded to the king's decree with gratitude to God for moving the king's heart to allow them to return to Jerusalem. The Lord can work in the hearts of even unsaved leaders in ways they might not realize and in ways we could never predict.
Years earlier, Cyrus was moved by God to allow the first group of exiles to return. Later, Darius, upon discovering Cyrus's decree, strongly supported it. Fifty or sixty years later, Artaxerxes issued another decree backing Ezra's efforts. Ezra acknowledged that God's "mercy" was extended to him and that the king had been moved by God. In turn, God influenced the king, and "the hand of God was on him" [Ezra].
Surely, it is important for us to recognize and acknowledge the hand of God in our work, even when a city council or some government officials give us permits to do a work in the Gospel or grant permission to go beyond what is normal for them. When "the hand of our God" is upon us and "it is God who worketh in us (and for us) to will and to do His good pleasure," we need to acknowledge that it is "The Lord working with us" and allowing us to do His work in fellowship with Him.