Ezra 7

CHAPTER 7

Ezra Comes to Jerusalem (7:1–10)

1–7 After these things . . . (verse 1). In fact, almost sixty years “after these things”—that is, after the temple had been completed—Ezra himself left Babylon and came to Jerusalem. The first six chapters of his book were based on accounts he had heard and documents he had read. Now in these last four chapters, Ezra is able to write from firsthand experience—though here in verses 1–10, he refers to himself in the third person.

Ezra arrived in Jerusalem during the reign of Artaxerxes, the grandson of Darius. Ezra was a direct descendant of Aaron and many other past high priests. He was also a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses²⁷ (verse 6).

8–10 It took Ezra four months to make the 1,500kilometer journey from Babylon to Jerusalem; Ezra’s party was slowed by the presence of children and the elderly.

God’s gracious hand was on Ezra (verse 9). And the reason for it is given in verse 10: For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law. He not only studied it, he also observed it; he not only observed it, he devoted himself to it. The Law of God is not merely something to be studied; it is meant to be lived, and lived with one’s whole heart. And part of living the Law is teaching it to others (1 Timothy 3:2; 2 Timothy 2:2; 3:16–17).

King Artaxerxes’ Letter to Ezra (7:11–28)

11–20 In this section Ezra records the remarkable letter given to him by Artaxerxes. It provided proof indeed that the gracious hand of God was on Ezra (verses 9,28). Artaxerxes’ letter expressed even more favor and generosity than did the previous letter of his grandfather Darius (Ezra 6:3–12).

21–26 In the latter part of his letter, Artaxerxes orders his treasurers to provide Ezra with up to a hundred talents (almost four tons) of silver, as well as over twenty kiloliters of wheat and over two kiloliters of wine and oil for use in the grain offerings (Leviticus 2:1–16). Artaxerxes, like Darius before him, was anxious to do whatever God prescribed, so that His wrath might not come against the realm of the king and of his sons (verse 23).

Finally, Artaxerxes gave Ezra sweeping powers to appoint magistrates and judges for everyone living in the Trans-Euphrates who knew the laws of God (verse 25)—that is, Jews and any non-Jews who worshiped God. Ezra’s authority thus extended beyond Judah; it extended even beyond believers in God, because Ezra was instructed to teach any who do not know God’s laws. In addition, Ezra was given enormous power to enforce God’s law—even among unbelievers (verse 26).

27–28 In these verses, Ezra praises God for moving the king’s heart to bring honor to Him and to His house in Jerusalem. Ezra fully understood that the favor Artaxerxes had shown him ultimately flowed from the favor and GRACE of God Himself. God’s hand was indeed upon Ezra and upon Jerusalem, where God had caused his Name to dwell (Ezra 6:12).

God put it into the king’s heart to do all this (verse 27). Whenever we find good in our hearts or in the hearts of others, we can be sure it was God who “put it there.”