Ezra: God's Provision of Grace

DAY 34
2 Chronicles 35:16 - Ezra 1O:44

Reading through Ezra we obtain a beautiful picture of Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord will provide.

From the very beginning, the Lord moves King Cyrus's heart so that he allows the Hebrews to return to Judah to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. And God does leave them empty-handed. He provides "silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God" (1:4). Then all their neighbors provided even more silver, gold, livestock, and valuable gifts. (1:6). Not only that but King Cyrus gave back all the articles of the temple of the Lord that they had taken. (1:7-11). King Artaxerxes and King Darius were also later moved my God in the provision to the people of Israel.

As Ezra prays to the Lord about forgiveness for the sins of His people there is an amazing verse found in Ezra 9:8 that illustrates that the Lord provides our greatest need.

"But now, for a brief moment, grace has come from the Lord our God to preserve a remnant for us and give us a stake in His holy place. Even in our slavery, God has given us new life and light in our eyes."

Jehovah-Jireh, the provider of grace.

Even in the midst of our slavery to sin, God shines a light into our lives. " I am the light of the world, Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12)

That light leads us to the new life that is found in Christ, it restores us to a relationship with God. "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:28)

And after we are delivered, God gives us a place in His eternal kingdom. He also preserves us as a remnant here on earth to spread the news of the light. "You are the light of the world." (Matt 5:14).

This moment of grace is brief, it does not go on forever. One day the Lord will return and The Lord that provides will grant us the gift of His presence in eternity.

External Links
Jewish Exile to Babylon
http://www.anova.org/sev/atlas/htm/080.htm

Return of the Jewish Exiles to Judah
http://www.anova.org/sev/atlas/htm/085.htm