There are certain things that I know I get excited about and I try not to miss those opportunities. One of those things is playing some soccer. Nothing beats chasing a ball around and trying to kick it in the goal. I love the smell of grass and the also having the opportunity to run and get some exercise in. When I hear that some guys are going to play some soccer, I do get excited and make sure that I can go.

When we look at this chapter we see that Ezra was allowed to go to Jerusalem to follow up to see how the rebuilding of the temple was going. He was faithful to his calling.

Ezra and What is Going On

Our chapter takes place after Jerusalem was taken over and destroyed by the Babylonians. They have been taken captive by king Nebuchadnezzar. THis is where we would read Daniel. Through this history, Cyrus, king of Persia captures Babylon which was prophesied through Daniel. God put it on Cyrus’ heart to release the Jews from exile and allow them to return to their homes in Jerusalem. He wanted to the temple to start being rebuilt and it was. Cyrus dies and a new king, Darius is in control and the building of the temple stops for about 10 years. God allowed Darius to see what Cyrus did with the Jews and the temple and the building resumes. 

Now after Cyrus we see another king of Persia, Artaxerxes who sent Ezra home to be with his people. Ezra was a scribe and we see that he went to teach the people about the law. 

In verse 10 we see that Ezra was prepared. It says, “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. We see that he not only prepared his heart to be ready because he was going to be sent to the teach the people but also he made sure that he did it.

In order for us to teach other people we need to make sure that we have taught ourselves to be obedient to the Word of God. In Hebrews 5:11-12 we see that the Jews were dull of hearing and that they could not teach others because they did not even know the basics. One thing is that if we are reading God’s Word then it should be pouring out of us as a teaching to others. In order for Ezra to make an impact on the people he needed to make sure he was reading it. Ezra placed it in his heart. It is so important for us to place God’s word in our heart and to be disciplined. We need to be disciplined in studying God’s word. Paul Timothy that we need to be one approved unto God (2nd Timothy 2:15). May we be diligent in our time with God’s Word. There is so much truth and depth in it that we can never grow weary in it.