MAY 21

        Chapters 7 and 8 record the coming of Ezra to Jerusalem. 
Ezra was a priest from the family of Aaron. He was also a ready 
student of the Law, and a scribe (see Jeremiah 8:8). It took him 
four months to make the journey of nearly 1,000 miles from Babylon 
to Jerusalem, but the hand of God was upon him and he prospered. The 
king decreed that any Jew could go up with Ezra and return to the 
land.

        Chapter 8 lists the names of the families and the men that 
accompanied Ezra on his hazardous trip to Jerusalem. It was 
important that the Levites go along because it was their duty to 
study the Word and teach it to the people. Unfortunately, Ezra had 
to draft some of the Levites, because they did not volunteer to go.

        No sooner had the teacher of the Word of God arrived than 
the Word of God began to reveal sin in the land. Ezra discovered 
that the Jews had mingled with their heathen neighbors and married 
heathen wives. Because of his sorrow and repentance, the people who 
knew God's Word began to tremble, fearing what the Lord might do to 
the feeble nation. Ezra's prayer of confession in chapter 9:6-15 
should be compared with Daniel's prayer (Daniel 9) and the prayer of 
Nehemiah (Nehemiah 9). Ezra said, "...O my God, I am ashamed and 
blush to lift up my face to thee...." It is interesting to note that 
Daniel, Ezra, and Nehemiah all had to confess national sin and plead 
for forgiveness. However, it was not enough for the religious 
leaders to pray. The entire nation had to face its sin and make 
matters right with God.

        Chapter 10 covers the cleansing of the nation. There was a 
definite revival in Jerusalem. God answered Ezra's prayer by 
touching and convicting the hearts of the people. You may want to 
read Nehemiah 8:8-13 for some parallel accounts of this revival.