He had begun the journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was upon him. He had begun the journeyThis phrase marks the commencement of a significant pilgrimage. The Hebrew root for "journey" (מַסָּע, massa) often implies a divinely guided expedition, reminiscent of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. Ezra's journey is not merely a physical relocation but a spiritual mission to restore and reform the Jewish community in Jerusalem. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God guiding His people through transitions and challenges. from Babylon
Babylon, in the biblical narrative, symbolizes exile and captivity. Historically, it was the center of the Babylonian Empire, where the Israelites were held captive. Ezra's departure from Babylon signifies a return to spiritual roots and a physical and symbolic liberation from bondage. This echoes the Christian journey from sin to salvation, emphasizing the hope of restoration and renewal. on the first day of the first month
The timing of Ezra's departure is significant. The first month, Nisan, is the same month as Passover, a time of deliverance and new beginnings for the Israelites. This timing underscores the theme of redemption and divine timing in God's plans. It suggests that Ezra's mission is divinely appointed, aligning with God's historical acts of salvation. and he arrived in Jerusalem
Jerusalem, the city of God, represents the heart of Jewish worship and identity. Ezra's arrival marks the fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people to their homeland. This journey from Babylon to Jerusalem is a microcosm of the Christian journey towards the heavenly Jerusalem, symbolizing the ultimate return to God's presence. on the first day of the fifth month
The journey took approximately four months, indicating perseverance and commitment. The fifth month, Av, is traditionally a time of mourning for the destruction of the Temple, yet here it marks a moment of hope and restoration. This juxtaposition highlights God's ability to bring joy out of sorrow and fulfillment out of desolation. for the gracious hand of his God was upon him
This phrase emphasizes divine favor and guidance. The "gracious hand" (חֶסֶד, chesed) of God implies loving-kindness and covenant faithfulness. Ezra's successful journey and mission are attributed not to his own strength but to God's providential care. This serves as a reminder of the Christian belief in God's sovereignty and grace in guiding and empowering His people for His purposes. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzraA scribe and priest, Ezra was a leader among the Jewish exiles returning from Babylon to Jerusalem. He was known for his dedication to the Law of Moses and his role in re-establishing the Jewish community in Jerusalem. 2. BabylonThe city from which Ezra and the exiles began their journey. Babylon was a place of captivity for the Jews after the destruction of Jerusalem. 3. JerusalemThe destination of Ezra's journey, Jerusalem was the center of Jewish worship and the location of the Temple, which Ezra sought to restore both physically and spiritually. 4. The JourneyThe journey from Babylon to Jerusalem took approximately four months, highlighting the commitment and perseverance required for such a significant undertaking. 5. The Gracious Hand of GodThis phrase emphasizes God's providence and favor upon Ezra, enabling him to successfully complete his mission. Teaching Points God's Timing and ProvidenceRecognize that God's timing is perfect, as seen in the specific dates mentioned in Ezra's journey. Trust in His providence for your life's journey. Commitment to God's MissionEzra's dedication to his mission serves as an example of commitment to God's calling. Reflect on your own dedication to the tasks God has set before you. The Importance of God's FavorThe success of Ezra's journey was attributed to God's gracious hand. Seek God's favor through prayer and obedience in your endeavors. Perseverance in FaithThe four-month journey required perseverance. In your spiritual walk, remain steadfast and patient, trusting in God's guidance. Community RestorationEzra's mission was not just personal but communal. Consider how your actions contribute to the restoration and strengthening of your faith community. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of God's "gracious hand" in Ezra 7:9 encourage you in your current life circumstances? 2. In what ways can you demonstrate commitment to God's mission in your life, similar to Ezra's dedication to his journey? 3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's perfect timing. How did it impact your faith and trust in Him? 4. How can you actively seek God's favor in your daily decisions and actions? 5. What steps can you take to contribute to the restoration and strengthening of your faith community, following Ezra's example? Connections to Other Scriptures Nehemiah 2:8This verse also speaks of the "gracious hand of God" upon Nehemiah, drawing a parallel between the divine favor experienced by both leaders in their respective missions to restore Jerusalem. Exodus 12:2The mention of the first month connects to the Jewish calendar and the significance of new beginnings, as seen in the Exodus from Egypt. Psalm 32:8This verse speaks of God's guidance, which is relevant to understanding how God's hand directed Ezra's journey. People Aaron, Abishua, Ahitub, Amariah, Artaxerxes, Azariah, Bukki, Eleazar, Ezra, Hilkiah, Israelites, Levites, Meraioth, Phinehas, Seraiah, Shallum, Uzzi, Zadok, ZerahiahPlaces Babylonia, Beyond the River, Jerusalem, PersiaTopics Arrived, Ascent, Babylon, Babylonia, Determined, Fifth, Founded, Gracious, Jerusalem, Journey, Month, Project, StartingDictionary of Bible Themes Ezra 7:9 1265 hand of God
5357 journey
7372 hands, laying on Ezra 7:1-21 7464 teachers of the law Library Appendix. The Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament.
1. The Greek word Apocrypha, hidden, that is, hidden or secret books, was early applied by the fathers of the Christian church to anonymous or spurious books that falsely laid claim to be a part of the inspired word. By some, as Jerome, the term was extended to all the books incorporated by the Alexandrine Jews, in their Greek version, into the proper canon of the Old Testament, a few of which books, though not inspired, are undoubtedly genuine. Another designation of the books in question …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the BibleReading the Law with Tears and Joy
'And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel. 2. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. 3. And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate, from the morning until midday, before …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Rome and Ephesus
Corinth as portrayed in the Epistles of Paul gives us our simplest and least contaminated picture of the Hellenic Christianity which regarded itself as the cult of the Lord Jesus, who offered salvation--immortality--to those initiated in his mysteries. It had obvious weaknesses in the eyes of Jewish Christians, even when they were as Hellenised as Paul, since it offered little reason for a higher standard of conduct than heathenism, and its personal eschatology left no real place for the resurrection …
Kirsopp Lake—Landmarks in the History of Early Christianity Authorship of the Pentateuch.
The term Pentateuch is composed of the two Greek words, pente, five, and teuchos, which in later Alexandrine usage signified book. It denotes, therefore, the collection of five books; or, the five books of the law considered as a whole. 1. In our inquiries respecting the authorship of the Pentateuch, we begin with the undisputed fact that it existed in its present form in the days of Christ and his apostles, and had so existed from the time of Ezra. When the translators of the Greek version, …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
BY JOHN BUNYAN PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR This important treatise was prepared for the press, and left by the author, at his decease, to the care of his surviving friend for publication. It first appeared in a collection of his works in folio, 1692; and although a subject of universal interest; most admirably elucidated; no edition has been published in a separate form. Antichrist has agitated the Christian world from the earliest ages; and his craft has been to mislead the thoughtless, by …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Brave Encouragements
'In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the Lord by the prophet Haggai, saying, 2. Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying, 3. Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? 4. Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture General Account of Jesus' Teaching.
^A Matt. IV. 17; ^B Mark I. 14, 15; ^C Luke IV. 14, 15. ^a 17 From that time Jesus began to preach [The time here indicated is that of John the Baptist's imprisonment and Jesus' return to Galilee. This time marked a new period in the public ministry of Jesus. Hitherto he had taught, but he now began to preach. When the voice of his messenger, John, was silenced, the King became his own herald. Paul quoted the Greeks as saying that preaching was "foolishness," but following the example here set by …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
1. The Traditional Law. - The brief account given in vol. i. p. 100, of the character and authority claimed for the traditional law may here be supplemented by a chronological arrangement of the Halakhoth in the order of their supposed introduction or promulgation. In the first class, or Halakhoth of Moses from Sinai,' tradition enumerates fifty-five, [6370] which may be thus designated: religio-agrarian, four; [6371] ritual, including questions about clean and unclean,' twenty-three; [6372] concerning …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ezra 7:9 NIVEzra 7:9 NLTEzra 7:9 ESVEzra 7:9 NASBEzra 7:9 KJV
Ezra 7:9 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
