King James Bible Study – [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. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Thursday, September 25, 2025
Chapters: Ezra 7-10
Message: Ezra: Ezra Teaches The Law
Hello My Friend,
As we return and come to the end of the reading of Ezra we learn the importance of studying the Word of God and having Godly leaders to help us discern what we are reading, [2 Timothy 2:15-16 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.]
We also learn how important it is to not be yoked with unbelievers, and I would add, believers who are not like-minded in their faith, [2 Corinthians 6:14-16 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.]
After the temple had been rebuilt and set up, Ezra went back to Babylon because he was a scribe there. Word got out that things were not going so well, so under the direction of King Artaxerxes (Xerxes), Ezra, was directed to return to Jerusalem to instruct the people in the Law of God.
[Ezra 7:1,9-11 Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, 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. 11 Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.]
It took Ezra four months to reach Jerusalem, this was done so that Ezra had time to study the Scriptures and prepare his heart to teach the people the more effectively. The world and quite frankly many Christians do not understand the time that God uses to prepare His ministers hearts into the studying of the Scriptures so that they can be effective instructors of His Word, [2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.]
I remember when I first started doing these Bible studies, I was maybe a year into my dedicating my life to Christ, and I was thirsty and eager to learn everything I could. I must have followed a dozen commentaries and devotionals, watched every preacher, evangelist, and speaker on television that I could find, but soon found out that some of them were just vain babbling. It does not take long for the Holy Spirit to tell you that you need to turn that off get away from that person, but I still need some preaching and teaching of my own because I need to be spiritually fed as well as we all need in order to grow in our faith. Now, before Ezra headed to Jerusalem, Xerxes, made a decree that gave Ezra the authority to do whatever he needed to do to get the temple in order.
[Ezra 7:13-16 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. 14 Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand; 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, 16 And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:]
We are not forced to receive Christ as our Saviour, we are not even forced to come to the knowledge of Christ, but we are invited and to accept the invitation is a choice that must be made by each of us individually. God, gives us every means necessary to learn the truth about Jesus, but not everyone accepts Him, [Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.]
Now, if anyone attempts to serve God without Christ all they would be doing is signing their own death warrant as God does not acknowledge them. This is why it is very important for every church to prepare their heart also to seek God’s Word and follow it. Xerxes, new the importance of this as he encourages them listen to Ezra and give him whatever he needs to follow the Law as it is written.
[Ezra 7:21,23-25 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. 25 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.]
If you notice, it appears that Xerxes thought that God was literally in the temple in Jerusalem. Even today it is not uncommon for idols and gods to be confined to the nation that they were created from. However, what they fail to understand that God is the one and only God, who happens to be the one and only living God as well and is everywhere His true believers are. I say true believers because God dwells through the Holy Spirit in every saved, born again Christ, so He is literally everywhere, [1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.]
This is referring to those who proclaim Christ, but are teaching false doctrine, such as a false gospel. It is not enough to believe in Christ, we must believe in and accept Him for all that He is. From His being God in the flesh, born of a virgin, to His being resurrected, after His passion. Trusting in a false gospel sends more people to hell than not knowing who Christ is, [Galatians 1:6-8 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.]
Xerxes, may not have known the Word of God, or realized that God is everywhere, but he was no fool, he did know where he could find Him, that His Law superseded any of mans laws, and if you cross Him it is to your own doom. After Ezra received the call from the king to assemble a group of people willing to go to Jerusalem over seventeen hundred men volunteered to go to Jerusalem with him, but out of all of them there were no Levites, who were critical to have with them assist the priests. So, he took a pause from going any further and sent some men to find some Levites who were willing to come with them.
[Ezra 8:1,15,17-18 These are now the chief of their fathers, and this is the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king. 15 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. 17 And I sent them with commandment unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia, and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, and to his brethren the Nethinims, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God. 18 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;]
There were plenty of priests that volunteered, but there were no laborers. Christ’s Church consists of more than just preachers and teachers of His Word, there are also those who assist in the maintaining of the building, that includes singers, musicians, prayer warriors, cooks, ushers, janitors, electricians, plumbers, contractors, and the list goes on. It takes a body of Christians to build the Church, [Romans 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.]
Ezra, knew that God was with them and would guide him in the right direction, but he as a little overwhelmed with everything so he decide that they needed some advice. Before going any further the entire team gathered together and while Ezra sent a team back to Babylon, they fasted and prayed.
[Ezra 8:21-23 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. 22 For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. 23 So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.]
Now, we know where tax exemption for churches came from. Jesus, said this when it comes to separating the Church and state, [Luke 20:22-25 Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? (23) But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? (24) Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar’s. (25) And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s.]
Remember, God’s ways are not often our ways, so what is right in our own eyes may not be necessarily right in His, especially when it comes to His Church. Ezra, felt so embarrassed that he went to the king first instead of God that he felt it was necessary to hold a fast to get right with God. God, wants to be a part of every decision we make, in fact, He wants us to go to Him first before anyone else and ask Him how to handle the matter, [Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.]
Now, they were on their way, but before they arrived into Jerusalem, he calls on twelve men to be treasures of the goods that they were coming in with, [Ezra 8:24,28-29 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.]
The custody of the silver, gold, and sacred vessels was during their journey was committed to these two chief priests, with the assistance of ten Levites. It was their sole duty to watch over the items and keep them safe until they got to the temple. In the same manner, every saved, born again Christian is left in the care of the Gospel, which we are to keep and protect until the day they are brought home, [2 Timothy 1:6-7,12 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7 For God hath not given us the Spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.]
When Ezra and the people arrived in Jerusalem they expected to see at least a few of the Jews and 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 9:1-3 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.]
Some that were widowers not only took wives to themselves of the heathen nations, they took them for their sons also. They were to set the right example as a holy people of God to refrain from what is truly being unyoked, instead they were the ringleaders of going against the Law. This happened because they are not knowledgeable in the Law in the first place. God, does not expect us to know everything written in His Word the first time reading it, but He does expect us to continue reading it and applying it so that we can be conformed into someone resembling His Son, [Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.]
We all need to take our salvation very seriously since it is Jesus who suffered through the pain and died for our sin, and when we learn that something we are doing is sinful in the eyes of God then we need to repent and turn away from it. God even understands that there are some sins harder to turn away from, but we need to make an effort or the pain we endure will be unbearable until we do repent. Now, there were several people there watching and listening to Ezra praying, and many of them became so convicted over what they had done that they went to Ezra to find out what they had to do to get right with God. And Ezra, did the only thing that he could do, he prayed to God for an answer.
[Ezra 9:4-6,8 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. 5 And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God, 6 And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens. 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.]
In other words, “How do we thank You God for all the good that You have done, we keep going against Your Word?” This is the same as the saved, born again Christian who deliberately chooses to live in sin based on the fact that their sin is justified through their faith in Christ. God, does not work that way, yes, we are justified of sin through our faith in Christ, but we are not to take that for granted, [Hebrews 6:6,9 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.]
Keep in mind that Old Testament saints nearly followed the same pattern as we do today. Ezra, goes on to point out that no one received of their sin what they truly deserve, [Ezra 9:13-15 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.]
While we surely have been punished far less than we deserve for our sins, we are to never take our salvation for granted. Our being justified of our sin through our faith in Christ does not give us permission to live as we please, in fact, we suffer more because we are saved. You see, we have the living God living inside of us, and that means that we cannot live like the world anymore, and should we remain living in sin, even if it is out of ignorance, we will suffer until we repent, [Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, (5) And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, (6) If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.]
Now, as the congregation heard Ezra praying many of them began to feel convicted, pray and repent of their sin. As a result they made the difficult decision to divorce not only their wives, but their family as well, should it be found that they broke the Law, they would distance themselves from their families forever.
[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.
God, would rather have us falling and repenting all day long with a humble heart than just doing what we want without any conviction. 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, [Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.]
Amazingly, one by one, each man who married a strange wife, and felt convicted, agreed to present himself with his wife and children before the court to determine whether or not they served God or a false god. If they were not following God, then they would agree to get a divorce and separate from them forever.
[Ezra 10:9-12 Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain. 10 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.]
These men had three days to make this decision. They could obey the Law and should they be found with a strange wife, divorce her and any children they had or remain married to them and forfeit their inheritance.
[Ezra 10:16-19,44 And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by their names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter. 17 And they made an end with all the men that had taken strange wives by the first day of the first month. 18 And among the sons of the priests there were found that had taken strange wives: namely, of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren; Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah. 19 And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass. 44 All these had taken strange wives: and some of them had wives by whom they had children.]
This is similar to our salvation, only we do not know how long we have. We have a choice, believe in the true Gospel of Christ and go on to receive our inheritance into then Kingdom of God or forfeit the Kingdom and lose it forever, [Luke 13:24-25 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:]
Today’s Prayer: God, You know there have been times in my life when I sunk so deep into my past that I could not breathe anymore, but Your hand always pulled me out if it. 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 wanted to give up. Lord, I need You to get through each day, pour Your Spirit upon me and fill me with Your love, mercy, grace, strength, and wisdom. Help me to get through each day, uplifted and encouraged, knowing that You are always with me, have a purpose for everything I go through, and have something great in store for me. Since Your thoughts are much higher than my own, search my heart, know my thoughts, and lead me in the way You would have me to go. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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