Ezra 8

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“They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.” (Ezra 8:8 ESV)

August 14, 2016

Bible reading and exposition was a central feature of the worship of the returning remnant to Jerusalem. The sense of the Word so affected them that they began to weep. This is still the calling for today, that the Word of God would be read and clearly preached with a goal of understanding. The timeless principles of the Word are to be understood in context, carried across the “Bible bridge” and applied to today’s congregation in the power of the Spirit. The New Testament preacher is to be “devoted” to the public reading and exhortation of the Word (1 Tim. 4:13). In like manner, the members of the body of Christ are to be devoted to the Word as well.

“We prayed that he would give us a safe journey and protect us, our children, and our goods as we traveled” (Ezra 8:21)

August 9, 2012

Ezra led a remnant of Israelites back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. The journey itself would be long and dangerous, but they trusted God to protect them. Do you pray before a trip? Gather your family together before leaving your driveway and ask God to give you a safe journey.

“I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey” (Ezra 8:21)

August 9, 2011

As Ezra prepared to lead the remnant back to Jerusalem, he called a fast. Fasting humbles the flesh and focuses the spirit on hearing from God. This is not to get God’s attention. He is always present. Fasting focuses our attention on Him.