The Ready Scribe

No. 20 of Returning Home (Second Return)

Ezra enters Jerusalem in 458 BCE. The temple has been built, and the Persian empire is ruled by Artaxerxes I. Known as the long-handed king because his right hand was longer than the left, Artaxerxes was the third son of Xerxes I (Esther’s husband, Ahasuerus). During Xerxes’ reign the Greek powers grew to threaten the Persian empire. Artaxerxes I inherited Xerxes’ war with Greece. To keep the Athenians focused inward, he funded the military attacks of the enemies of Greece, but the Athenians only attacked the Persians with greater vigor. Eventually, the Greeks would conquer the Persians and much of their records would be lost, including documents pertaining to Xerxes I. This is why so little is known of Xerxes I and his “star” queen Esther. Further, information about the Persian royalty that remains comes from Greek historians whose animosity for Persia colors the truth.

Now after this, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah, son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub, son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth, son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki, son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest— Ezra 7:1-5ESV

Ezra records his credentials to authenticate not only his record but his authority from God as a priest and scribe. Isn’t it a shame that God’s historian, Ezra, is given little credence for his account, while the Greek historians, considered authentic, ruin with their bias any historical truth.

this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him. – Ezra 7:6ESV

Ezra is not only of the Aaronic lineage, he is also “skilled in the Law of Moses.” This may be a detail easily skimmed because the Law of Moses does not function today with the same authority it did in that time. The original Hebrew word for ‘skilled’ is also translated ‘ready’ and ‘diligent.’ This would be like speaking of a lawyer of our nation by saying he is an expert on the U.S. Constitution, its statues and its precedents. Finally, Ezra notes he has the Persian king’s full support and gives God the credit for this.

And there went up also to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king, some of the people of Israel, and some of the priests and Levites, the singers and gatekeepers, and the temple servants. And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. – Ezra 7:7-8ESV

Ezra arrives in the fifth Hebrew month with the second known expedition of Hebrews to Jerusalem. They would be welcomed home by the people of the first expedition, and they would bolster the number of God-authorized servants to assist in the temple services.

For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was on him. 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. – Ezra 7:9-10ESV

Ezra’s trip took him five months to complete, and he gives glory to God for his safe passage. Ezra reverts to the past to explain his motive for coming to Jerusalem. As seen in previous sections of the book, Ezra’s style is to describe the actions and events and follow that with an explanation of the participants’ motives or intents. He does this with Darius’ judgment of the intent of king Cyrus’ proclamation when the adversaries come against God’s people with a false motive. This study of motive and intent in Ezra’s work speaks volumes about his training in law. It also speaks of a progression in the thinking of the Hebrew nation. The Law of Moses set down rules that crossed ‘t’s and dotted ‘i’s on every item of the law. The people of Moses’ day were working on obedience by doing, but here Ezra reveals how obedience comes from motive or intent.

To set the heart (or “purpose in one’s heart”) to do God’s will is to make a conscious resolution to obey. It is the intent of the person — of the inward self — to obey God out of the motivation to please Him. This is the response of a person who believes God will do what He says and acts accordingly. This theme is found in Hebrews 11, where each example listed there showed faithfulness to God when given the choice to follow Him or back down.

In Ezra’s case, there is a continuum of responsibility revealed by his decision to follow God. He decides to work diligently to know God’s laws, and so God grants him the opportunity to serve in a greater capacity in Jerusalem. God bestows the king’s favor, which leads the king to place Ezra in a leadership position to go with the second expedition. Later, God places a heavy responsibility on Ezra. His “set heart” reveals the opposite of the hearts of his Jewish brothers, whom he must confront for compromising God’s laws about marriage. We are moved emotionally by the situation of these unlawful Jewish marriages that include children. It seems harsh not to let these families stay together. But, two wrongs don’t make a right. It is easy to be persuaded to compromise God’s commands once the first compromise is made. In fact, it might even feel as though we are forced to continue to compromise because of the situation a compromise creates. This is why it is so necessary to consciously consider what our decision will be before the dilemma arises, and to stop compromising God’s truth in whatever situation we find ourselves. God created us to think ahead and determine our path — whether we will follow God or be led by the situation to believe compromise is the only answer.

 

For more information on King Xerxes I and possible mentions of Esther, read here.