Ezra 7:27-28 – Ezra’s Praise
The most common theme of Ezra is the theme of God’s sovereignty. The LORD is in control of all things. As we have seen, He even uses the actions and intentions of mankind, whether noble or sinful, to accomplish His righteous will. Recognizing this, Ezra breaks forth into praise of the LORD. It was the LORD who put it into the heart of the king and his counselors to support the worship and to finance the beautifying of the Temple. It was the LORD who gave Ezra the courage to make his requests to the king and his officials. It was the LORD who guided and upheld Ezra as he gathered other Israelites to make the journey to Jerusalem with him.
As we consider the events recorded in Ezra, we find yet another remarkable providence. Back in chapter three, we read that the people rejoiced at the laying of the foundation of the second Temple. At the same time, many of the elders, who could remember the former glory of the first Temple, wept and mourned, for it did not appear that this new Temple could ever be as beautiful as the first one had been. However, we also noted that the prophet Zechariah had cautioned the people not to despise the day of small things. To their eyes, the new Temple might not have looked promising, but the LORD would accomplish great things with it. Of course, the greatest things for which that Temple was used involved the coming of Christ Jesus, but, as if to offer reassurance that He is able to keep His promises, the LORD provided for the beautifying of the Temple far beyond the expectations of the generation who saw its foundations laid. If the LORD kept that promise to build His earthly Temple, surely He will keep His promise found in Matthew 16:18 to build His Church against which not even the gates of hell can prevail.
Questions
- For what does Ezra praise the LORD?
- What other remarkable providence do we find?
Prayer Points
- Praise the LORD for building His Church..
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.