God’s work never ends with buildings.  While chapter 6 records the completion of the Temple, chapter 7 starts to narrate the journey of faith by His children who returned back to the Jerusalem – the journey of revival and reformation.

Ezra is the man that God chooses to lead out in this work. The testimony says, “Ezra was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses.”  Not only was he skilled in the Law of God, but the Bible says, “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.”  It is one thing to know the law, and yet another to seek to do what the law says.

God is ready to move upon the hearts of any, heathen and those within His fold to fulfill His purposes.  Artaxerxes, the king, responds to God’s grace and offers state funds to be used to beautify the house of the Lord in Jerusalem (verse 27).  When people respond to the call of God, God provides the means needed to do His will.

“God of Abraham, prepare women and men today who will respond to your grace as did Ezra.”

Pardon Mwansa
General Vice President
General Conference