DELGATED RESPONSIBILITY. Ezra 8:1-20 Years of captivity had passed; Ezra had matured and been educated. He had learned from God’s Word, and God’s truth had taken root in his mind over the years. But during that process, what he learned moved from his mind to his heart – he had prepared his heart! As the initial feelings of this inner work surfaced, so did the desire to understand and seek the law of the Lord earnestly, so he could know what was right – the mind of God. As he turned the pages of the law, he longed to seek it out!
Restoration to the Lord is contagious. The pattern of restoration is designed by God, and He provides for it. Ezra understood that pattern and followed that way. God supplies what is needed for restoration to be complete. The preparing of the heart takes time and thought; and the urging of the soul to seek out truth and act on it. Telling out the statutes, laws, and judgments is an honor—and a responsibility—to prepare my heart, seek out God’s truth, live it, and tell it out!
What do you understand when the light has dawned on your soul? You realize it’s not enough to be enlightened or to know what is right. A prepared heart is stirred after seeking out God’s truth—to act on what God has revealed, to fulfill the commission, and to live it out! The more someone reads, learns, heeds, and acts, the more they realize that simply knowing is not enough. The work God has called us to requires many to be involved. How can this be achieved? Others must know—and I must be willing to share it!
When the people of Judah and Benjamin were taken captive, Nebuchadnezzar commanded the Levite singers to sing songs of Zion [Ps. 137]. A rabbi's comment on Psalm 137 states in his “midrash” that they bit off the ends of their fingers so they couldn’t play their harps or sing without them. Apparently, after the Levites had been there for a generation or two, they weren’t willing to return to Israel until some learned and wise men sent by Ezra encouraged them to go.
It is definitely important for us to recognize and acknowledge God's hand in our work, even when a city council or government officials grant us permits for Gospel work or allow us to go beyond usual limits. 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 must acknowledge that "The Lord working with us" is enabling us to do His work in fellowship with Him.
Occasionally, we are called to a special service for God that exceeds anything we have ever imagined. It is vital that the right people are involved in such a task, even though there is genuine faith in God to guide the people toward the desired outcome. Careful consideration of the dangers, necessary supplies, and diligent preparation are all part of getting ready for a work for the Lord. We do our best and trust God wholeheartedly.
Ezra exhibited all the qualities of a good leader. He gathered volunteers at a strategic location and verified that the right people were present. There were priests and leaders, but no Levites to assist the priests in their duties. He knew who was needed and took steps to recruit them. He made sure everyone involved in the journey and the work ahead understood the importance of God's presence and maintained the proper attitude toward God. Fasting, prayer, and humility set a clear tone for the work. A 900-mile journey on foot across desert and enemy territory, even when one knows it is God's will, naturally causes hesitation and concern.
A successful leader must understand his limitations and also recognize those who can help him. Ezra needed trustworthy companions for the journey and the work ahead after reaching their destination. He had heads of families who could guide their relatives. He had priests for spiritual duties and some Levites to perform the necessary service for the priests. He did not seek or want the military protection of the king's army because of his testimony to the pagan king that "the hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him; but His power and wrath is against all them that forsake Him."
Ezra had declared his faith in God’s ability to protect the caravan and would not ask the king for help. Later, Nehemiah had an armed escort when he led a group to Jerusalem, but that did not mean he was not a man of faith. Each person and each situation is different, so there is no pattern or template to follow in a life of faith. Each individual understands their own situation, trusts in God for protection and guidance, and moves forward with confidence that our prayer is answered in the way God chooses.