The day before a trip is always filled with excitement and packing. We have learned over the years that it pays to make a list of things that need to be done. There is nothing more frustrating than getting to your destination and discovering that you left behind your shoes or something else of importance. However, more than careful packing, we need God’s direction and protection.

This reminds me of a verse found in (Proverbs 21:31) “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.” We can prepare, but we need God’s direction and protection. Ezra knew this as he prepared for his BIG trip from Babylon to Jerusalem.

Transition

As we look at the details surrounding Ezra’s trip, let’s watch for principles we can apply to our lives today.

Spiritual Preparations (v.21-23)

  1. Ezra was ashamed to ask the king for help (v.22)
    1. The danger of robbery on this trip was very real.
      1. The trip was long (about 1500 km).
      2. Much of the way was in isolated territory that was conducive to robbery. Later, when Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem, he was given a military escort (Neh 2:9).
        ☆ God never said the Christian life would be free from trouble, but He promised to be with us. Christians may get sick (2 Timothy 4:20) “Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.” Christians may face problems, Paul did. (2 Corinthians 11:26-27) “In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” Christians will face persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12) “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (John 15:18) “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.”
    2. Their testimony was at stake.
      1. Ezra had told King Artaxerxes God’s greatness (v.22). Remember, he was a pagan king.
      2. Ezra was ashamed to ask for protection and to place doubt on that greatness.
        ☆ Who is watching your testimony? (Family, friends, neighbours, classmates) Does your life match what you say? Do others see Christ in your life? (1 Peter 2:12) “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
  2. Ezra fasted and prayed instead (v.21, 23)
    1. They fasted or abstained from food (v.23).
      1. They did this to afflict themselves (v.21). “Afflict” means to humble oneself or to afflict.
      2. Fasts included doing without food and pleasure to express a seriousness of heart towards God. Fasting enables concentration on prayer to be more earnest. Fasting was not always 24 hours or more. Some fasts were just from sunrise to sunset. A fast could be just one meal.
      3. They fasted to seek the right way to follow. They needed to know if they should ask for military protection or to simply trust the Lord for protection.
    2. During the fast, they besought God (v.23)
      1. They prayed and asked God for wisdom.
      2. God gave them direction and peace.
        ☆ When should we fast? Well, when did Ezra fast? He and the people fasted as they sought God’s direction and protection in a major situation. God has a right way for every situation in your life. If you seek His guidance, you can walk in that way. If you don’t, many times you will miss God’s best. (Proverbs 3:5-6) “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Physical Preparations (v.24-30)

  1. Ezra chose responsible men to carry valuables
  2. Valuables were weighed and given to them.
    1. Extreme care was taken to avoid temptation & loss
      1. The men needed to be trustworthy
      2. The valuables were recorded to hold the bearer accountable.
      3. In Jerusalem, they would give account (v.29). Prudence is proper. It is foolish to place temptation before someone. Accountability is of great value. (Proverbs 22:3) “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”
    2. They were charged with their holy responsibility (v.28-29)
      1. Not only were these men charged with a moral responsibility to be honest, this was also a spiritual matter.
      2. The valuables they carried were not Ezra’s but God’s. They must do their best for God.
        ☆ Whether we set up chairs, work in the kitchen, pass out song books, play the piano, teach a class, lead the songs or preach, we are serving the God of the universe. He deserves our best. If we don’t prepare properly and do our best we are treating God with disrespect. We will give account to Him.

Trip and arrival (v.31-36)

  1. Ezra recognized God’s hand of protection (v.31)
    1. He said “God’s hand was upon us”
    2. He acknowledged that God DID deliver them from enemies and thieves.
      1. When God answers prayer, we ought to be quick to thank Him for it.
      2. God received both the credit and the glory.
  2. Upon arrival, all had 3 days rest and reunion (v.32)
    1. Needed rest is not a waste of time but the frugal use of time.
    2. No doubt there was a great reunion at that time as well.
      1. Relatives had not been seen in 78 years. Nearly all of the 1754 males (plus their families) who returned with Ezra were related to those who returned with Zerubbabel 78 years earlier.
      2. It is unlikely that any of them had seen Jerusalem before.
  3. All valuables were accounted for (v.33).
    1. They were weighed carefully
    2. Each man gave account for what he carried. Accountability was not idle talk.
      ² I once heard of a church that had double signed cheques yet the pastor’s signature was made into a rubber stamp to make things easier. How foolish.
      ☆ Seek to live so that you will have no regrets on judgment day. The scriptures say in (Rom 14:12) “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
  4. Offerings were made to the LORD in thanksgiving (v.35)
    1. Burnt offerings were offered to cover sin.
    2. The people wanted to begin their new life in Israel with clean hearts before the Lord.
    3. Likely, the offerings were also a way of thanking God for His direction and protection.
  5. Messages from the king were delivered (v.36)

Conclusion

What have we learned? 1) All people, including Christians, face trials in life. As Christians however, we are assured of God’s presence with us (Heb 13:5). 2) We have a testimony to uphold. People are watching us. Do they see Christ when they look at us? 3) Ezra fasted and prayed for direction and protection when he faced big trials, and so should we. 4) We ought to be good stewards of our money and property. We should do our best when we serve the Lord. God wants honesty. He deserves our best. 5) Times of rest and reunion are valued by God. 6) Like the men who carried the valuables, we will each give account to God for our faithfulness.

Every Christian is on a trip to heaven. The things we learned from this chapter apply well to our trip to heaven. We will each give account to God Himself when we arrive. Now is the time to prepare.

Song: Take My Life and Let – 393
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Ezra’s Trip to Jerusalem
15 October 2017 PM – Ezra 8:1-36 – EzNe17 – Scott Childs