Grace Bible Church

Brian Fisher

“Ezra: Skilled Servant of God and King”

Ezra 7

In 458 B.C. Ezra led the second return of exiles to the Promised Land. Because he was trusted, King Artaxerxes (464-424 B.C.) charged him with restoring civil and religious order among his people. Ezra’s skill for this role came from his study of God’s word (he knew it), his personal application of God’s word (he lived it), his ability to pass on these life-giving truths to others of his generation (he reproduced it) and the favor of the Lord empowering him (he understood the source of real change).

Competence: “Having sufficient skill, knowledge, ability, or qualifications.”

—Wiktionary

I believe God has called us to excellence.

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called….

—Ephesians 4:1

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

—Phil. 1:27

…so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

—1 Thessalonians 2:12

“…excellence implies more than competence. It implies a striving for the highest standards in every phase of life. We need individual excellence in all its forms – in every kind of creative endeavor, in political life, in education, in industry – in short, universally.”

—Gary Inrig, A Call to Excellence, quoting John W. Gardner, Excellence

In Ezra chapter 7 we are introduced to Ezra, writer of this book.

In Ezra the priest, King Artaxerxes of Persia found a man of excellence.

Because Ezra served the king with excellence, he honored God AND he was a blessing to God’s people.

I. Ezra’s qualifications – 7:1-10

A. Spiritual – 7:10

Priest – traced lineage 16 generations back to Aaron

Actions legitimate from a Jewish perspective

1. Study – Ps. 119:97-104; greatest passage showing value of God’s word

Seek after (find Me when you search with all your heart; Dt. 4:29)

2. Practice – Heb. 5:14 “through practice”; if you only hear, you delude self

Goal is life change not knowledge

3. Teach – Heb. 5:12; by this time you ought to be teachers

Ex – Sea of Galilee v. Dead Sea

B. Vocational

7:6, 11, 21 – scribe; Aramaic word; double meaning; “an official in the service of the Persian King” Fensham, 72

7:6 – “skilled”; prompt, quick; Ps. 45:2; Pr. 22:29; not a hack

7:25 – wise; hokma; skillful application; Daniel 5:10-14

Col 3:23-24; Eph. 6:5-9

Your excellence is your testimony

Earned trust; given an important commission; King needed well-ordered, peaceful region between himself and Egypt.

II. Ezra’s commission – 7:11-26

A. Lead – 7:11-13

Logistics of a trip

B. Investigate – 7:14

Objective, accurate analysis of the situation

C. Restore religious order – 7:15-24

Transport Offerings

Provision and protection of priesthood

D. Restore civil order – 7:25-26

Two types of courts – social (customary law); royal (pertaining to king)

King of Persia adopted local laws as his own

Appoint; evaluate the competency of others

Enforce; Ezra given real power

Daunting task; size of the region; most Jews living in Judah and Babylon

God has given you the resources to fulfill your calling with excellence

Not that we are adequate in ourselves

James 1 – if you lack wisdom, ask of God

III. Ezra’s humility – 7:27-28

Favor of the Lord – 7:6, 9

Unless the Lord builds the house; unless the Lord guards the city

Ps. 90:7; Confirm the work of our hands

Honored God; God received credit

Performed his duties with excellence

Blessing to God’s people

Conclusion

What is your calling?

Are you performing your calling with excellence?