King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]
Date: Sunday, September 25, 2022
Chapters: EZRA 7-10
Study: A Prepared Heart
Hello My Friend,
It is ironic that these chapters came up for today after I had been praying to God about something similar just before reading them. As time goes on and with all that is going on in our own lives on top of the world, our hearts can become perplexing to say the least. I actually asked God to renew my spirit as it has been quite perplexed as well, then I was reminded that I need to prepare my heart and everything else will fall into place, [Psalms 10:17-18 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: 18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.]
It is God, who actually prepares our heart, we just need to be willing to allow Him to do that. As we return to, and come to the end of reading of Ezra, if you follow the timeline, this was around 457 BC, so it took place when Esther was queen. Ezra, was back in Babylon (Persia) after the temple had been built, word got out that things were not going so well in Jerusalem. Under the direction of King Artaxerxes, Ezra, was directed by the king himself to return to Jerusalem to direct the people in the laws of God.
[Ezra 7:6-7,10,12-13 This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him. 9 For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. 10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.13 I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.15 And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,]
[according to the good hand of his God upon him.] It took them four months to get to Jerusalem, and this was approximately forty years after they were released from captivity. We must see the hand of God in whatever befalls us, and we must always prepare our hearts to seek how God wants us to handle what He has in store for us and we also must have a willing heart. Keep in mind that God already knows what will befall us well before we know it, and yet He still has a lot of mercy on us, [Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.]
[whose habitation is in Jerusalem,] Xerxes, may not have known the Word of God, or realized that He is everywhere, but he did know where he could find Him. This is why it is very important for every church also to prepare their heart to seek God’s Word and to do it, [2 Corinthians 6:1-4 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: 4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,]
Ezra, is a descendant of Aaron, although not directly a priest, he was a scribe, which is someone who wrote down the words contained in the Law. Ezra, not only made sure that everything written in the Word of God was accurate, he also penned several of the books under the inspiration of God, including the Chronicle books. Before heading to Jerusalem, Xerxes, had a decree made that gave Ezra the authority to do whatever he needed to do to get the temple in order.
[Ezra 7:21,23-24,26 And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily, 23 Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons? 24 Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them. 26 And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.]
[it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom,] Now, we know where tax exemption for churches came from. The king goes on to encourage them, but he also commands Ezra to do whatever it takes to make sure they are obeying God’s Word as well. We are the examples that the world needs to show the truth of God’s Word. God, does not call those of us who serve Him in His church ministers for no reason, that is a term that He takes very seriously as we are serving God Himself, [Matthew 25:37-40 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.]
Can you imagine being put in prison for disobeying God? Well, the wages of sin is death, and if we are honest with ourselves, we put ourselves in prison if we have unrepentant sin, even if we are unaware that we are in sin. This is why it is important that we ask God to search our hearts to know if there is anything wicked in us, ignorance will not save us. Now, after Ezra received the news from the king to assemble a group of people willing to go to Jerusalem he was a little overwhelmed because over seventeen hundred men volunteered to go to Jerusalem with him. He knew that God was with him and would guide him in the right direction, but it was not going to be easy. He also realized that there were no Levites who came that were able to do the duties of maintaining the temple. So, before going any further the entire team fasted and prayed while they waited for some men who would be able to minister in the temple.
[Ezra 8:15,18,24,28-29 And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava; and there abode we in tents three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi. 8 And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen; 24 Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them, 28 And I said unto them, Ye are holy unto the LORD; the vessels are holy also; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering unto the LORD God of your fathers. 29 Watch ye, and keep them, until ye weigh them before the chief of the priests and the Levites, and chief of the fathers of Israel, at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the LORD.]
[Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests,] God’s ministers must remain separated from the world! We are not of the world, and we definitely not one of them. Remember, God’s ways are not often our ways, so what is right in our eyes may not be necessarily right in His, especially when it comes to His Church. When Ezra and the people arrived in Jerusalem they expected to see at least a few of the Jews and the Levites obeying the Law. Instead, it was just the opposite, the moral and spiritual condition in Jerusalem was terrible, and many of the priests were actually married and had kids with women who were not even Jews.
[Ezra 9:1-4 Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. 2 For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass. 3 And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied. 4 Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice.]
[Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words] If the Word of God does not convict you, then there is something wrong with your heart. God, expects us to fall sometimes, after all, we are still sinners, but He also expects us to repent and turn away from the sin once we realize what we are doing is wrong, [Proverbs 24:15-16 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: 16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.]
There is also something else to consider, which I actually learned the very hard way, if anyone encourages you to sin, then run away from them as fast as you can. We need to take our salvation by grace I might add, very seriously since it is Jesus who suffered through the pain and even died for our sin. Ezra, goes on to pray something quite similar.
[Ezra 9:7-8,13-15 Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day. 8 And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage. 13 And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this; 14 Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping? 15 O LORD God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.]
[Should we again break thy commandments,] If we have sincerely and honestly accepted Christ as our Saviour, that means we are new creatures and that means that sin should never reign over us any more, [2 Corinthians 5:14-17 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.]
Now, as the congregation heard Ezra praying many of them began to pray and repent of their sin, and as a result agreed to divorce their wives should it be found that they broke the Law, [Ezra 10:1-3 Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore. 2 And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing. 3 Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.]
[yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing.] This is why believers are not to be married or in relationships of any kind with unbelievers or even those of a different denomination as not every church lives by the Word of God, [Romans 16:17-20 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.]
[Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God] As saved, born again Christians, God, tells us how He wants us to live through His Word, and since everyone has their own opinion on what they believe that is, we are going to clash sometimes, even as Christians. I know what God wants for my life, I may not always know who He puts in my life, but I know that He would never put anyone in my life where I would be forced to go against His Word. Since we have this flesh that sometimes does what it wants to do over God anyway, we may end up getting into a situation like that. And that is why we have God’s grace, but that does not mean that we are not put away the sin, [Romans 6:3-6,13-14 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.]
Well, Ezra, got another shocker when he realized that it was not just a few of them that committed this sin. Nevertheless, all of them agreed to obey the Law, each Levite presented himself with his “strange” wife and children before the court to determine whether or not they served God or a false god. If it was determined that they worshiped false gods, then they were to get a divorce and separate from them forever, including the children, [Ezra 10:10-13 And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. 11 Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives. 12 Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do. 13 But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand without, neither is this a work of one day or two: for we are many that have transgressed in this thing.]
[As thou hast said, so must we do] I use to try to convince myself that if I showed them the right way, then they would follow as I did before I got saved and gave my life to Christ. Another lesson that I learned the very hard way is that what they end up doing is changing us. As much as we love the people in our lives we cannot allow ourselves to remain subject to their sin as that will bring even more suffering to us, [2 Corinthians 6:14-17 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,]
Today’s Prayer: God, You know there have been times in my life when I have fallen, but Your hand quickly pulled me back up. Thank You, for loving me and not forsaking me, for holding me up, even when I wanted to fall. Thank You for Your endless mercy and grace, it truly endures, and thank You for always being there for me, even when I do fail You. Thank You also, for preparing my heart to seek You, Your Word, Your Son in my life, and for serving You. Lord, the work that You have called me to do is great and so humbling, but it is also overwhelming, especially when I am seeking, doing, and teaching Your Word. I need You to get through each day, pour Your Spirit upon me and fill me with Your love, mercy, grace, peace, strength, and wisdom. Prepare my heart, help me to get through this day, uplifted and encouraged, knowing that You are always with me, and that You have a purpose for everything I go through. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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