Brian Fisher
Grace Bible Church
“Pack Your Bags and Prepare Your Heart”
Ezra 8
Having received his commission from King Artaxerxes, Ezra prepared his fellow exiles for the journey home to discharge their duties to both God and king. The journey proved to be a success, because Ezra prepared his people both spiritually and practically. His appointed task was specific; therefore, he had to assemble the right group of people, people with the necessary skills and character. The journey itself would be a test, so they began the journey with fasting and prayer and concluded it with worship rather than frenetic activity. Observing the example of Ezra, we can ask ourselves, How are we preparing for the journey of life?
What is required for a successful journey?
Where are we going?
Why are we going?
Who will come with me? Right people.
What do we need for the journey?
Arrive safely at the destination.
Life is a journey.
Motif in Old Testament – Israel led by God
New Testament – “walk” with the Lord
Are you on a journey with the Lord, or are you just strolling through life?
Ezra is about to begin a very important journey from Babylon, back to Jerusalem. He has the permission and favor of the king. He knows the requirements of a successful journey.
I. Ezra knows his destination – where and why?
Ezra 7:10; Ezra’s commission – teach his people to worship
1st concern – teaching the people to worship; teaching them to know and obey God’s word.
Lead – 7:11-13
Logistics of the trip: ~5000 people, 900 miles, four months (April – August)
80 years since the 1st return; 58 years since completion of the temple
Investigate – 7:14
Objective, accurate analysis of the situation
A. Restore religious order – 7:21-24
Transport Offerings
Provision and protection of priesthood
B. Restore civil order – 7:25-26
Two types of courts – social (customary law); royal (pertaining to king)
Evaluate; appoint; enforce
Daunting task; size of the region; most Jews living in Judah and Babylon
Duty to God; duty to king; relationship between the two
Live today in light of eternity.
Your home; your family
Your job – going through the motions just to earn a paycheck?
Worship; edify; witness
Our church
Caught up in a sense of mission; conscious of calling
II. Ezra recruits fellow travelers
8:1 – overlap of family names with list in Ezra 2; joining family in Israel
8:15-20 – Spiritual leaders; 38 Levites responded
High price for Levites. Had ordinary lives in Babylon, now called back to serving. Few were available or few answered the call.
Had to make an immediate decision; no time for hesitation. Wrap up all affairs in 9 days. Probably would never return.
A. People who shared his willingness to sacrifice and serve
Ex. – Luke 9:60; allow me first to bury my father
B. People who shared his vision
C. Trustworthy companions; entrusted with valuable treasures – 8:24-30
Transporting 24.5 tons of silver and 3 ¾ tons of gold.
8:32-34
Shared the burden; Ezra couldn’t do it alone
Long, dangerous trip; needed faithful companions; so do we
Heb. 10:24-25; “fellowship is a nice extra”; build your own group and let us resource you
“…and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
—Hebrews 10:24-25
Easy to become jaded today; so many let us down
If qualified, you only need a few
III. Ezra prepared their hearts for travel – Ezra 8:21-23
In spite of the greatest preparation, God must act
Functions of fasting
Definition: “…abstinence from anything which is legitimate in and of itself for the sake of some special spiritual purpose…”
—D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Legitimate: NOT refraining from an evil or destructive behavior
1. Confession of sin; grief over sin
2. Spiritual strength; overcome enslavement
3. Seek guidance
4. Implore the favor of the Lord; make our paths straight (“safe”)
Humbling ourselves before the Lord is more important than food
Esther 4 – deliverance from
Daniel 9 – what does Jeremiah mean by 70 years
Ps. 99 – worship at His footstool
Thus says the Lord, “Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? “For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,” declares the Lord. “But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.
—Isaiah 66:1-2
Ezra 8:32, 35-36; Ended journey with rest and worship; not frenetic activity
Conclusion
Each generation has the opportunity to journey with the Lord.
Are you on a journey, or are you just going through the motions?
Do you have a sense of calling? destiny?