EZRA The Praying Scribe
EZRA WAS A MAN WHO clearly deserved respect. A direct descendant of Aaron, Moses’ brother, he came from a long line of priests who were duty-bound to know God’s law. Ezra was skilled, “well versed” (7:6), and gifted in teaching God’s law to the Israelites. As a scribe, he gave serious attention to detail and was proficient in both reading and writing.
When King Artaxerxes searched for a knowledgeable leader to reestablish proper worship of the Hebrew God, Ezra’s name rose to the top of the list. His overwhelming task was not only to manage the return of the exiles and the rebuilding of the Temple but also—and more importantly—to address the suffering resulting from the people’s spiritual apathy. The king of Persia gave him full authority to punish and enforce laws, but Ezra resisted the temptation to abuse this power. Instead, his life was a godly witness to the people.
Ezra believed big things of God. On the treacherous journey from Persia to Jerusalem, he trusted God to protect their caravan without the assistance of an armed escort. Recognizing one shouldn’t put God to the test, he humbled himself and the entire group by calling for a time of prayer and fasting before starting the four-month trip.
The book of Ezra gives us a beautiful window into the prayer life of this man of God
One of the most beautiful aspects of the book of Ezra is the window into the prayer life of this man of God. In Ezra’s prayers of praise and confession (9:6-15), he showed a deep love and respect for God that can only come from an intimate knowledge of God’s law. As the psalmist put it, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Ps 119:11).
In Ezra’s testimony and prayer life, we see a model for turning to God in times of fear, sorrow, repentance, and also in need.