Ezra 7; Psalm 132

Ezra was a man of God. His lineage placed him in the line of the priests (all the way back to Aaron). Although he had the pedigree, it is in verse 10 that we see why God gave him favor and used him mightily: “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” Not only did he study the Scriptures, he was also able to teach them to others. To cap it all off, he recognized that everything he had came from the Lord.

When I compare my life up to Ezra’s life, I’m embarrassed. He wasn’t extremely talented or popular or wealthy. He simply devoted himself to the Lord and the study of the Word of the Lord. That’s why he was successful. And even when he was successful, he turned around and gave all credit to God. The reason: he didn’t need the credit, he got what he was seeking after…he knew the Lord.

Explore:

• How is Ezra described? (7:1-6, 9-11, 25)
• What motivated the king to give so generously to Ezra? (7:23)
• How did Ezra react to the king’s giving him so much power and authority? (7:27)
• Whom did Ezra credit for his success? (7:28)

Apply:

• Do you need to set your heart on the study of the Word of the Lord? 
• In what way can you give credit to God at this point for any successes you’ve enjoyed?