The Gracious Hand of God
Ezra 7:9-10, 27-28 - Victory Fellowship
May 5, 2024 - Rev. Roderick Grabski
I. Introduction: Structural Integrity
a. Galloping Gertie Video (1940 Tacoma Narrows)
i. The bridge collapsed because it was too flexible. It was not strong enough to withstand the winds of time.
b. Ezra was a man who refused to be flexible when it came to living for God. In fact, he was just the person to lead a spiritual renewal in the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem. He has spiritual integrity.
II. RELATING THE TEXT
a. The Temple had been rebuilt for 57 years. King Artaxerxes, who 5 years previously ordered a STOP on the rebuilding of the walls in Jerusalem, now proclaims that anyone who wants to return to the Temple service may do so.
b. Ezra is the King’s choice to lead the task. He was a scribe and priest (descended from Aaron) and an expert on the Jewish laws and customs.
c. The King chose Ezra because of his ability and knowledge. But the hand of God was with Ezra because he had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel.
d. Ezra praised God for everything that happened. He led a party of 5000 people to Jerusalem.
III. Application
a. The hand of God was with Ezra in all things. Don’t you wish that was true in your life?
b. Do you sense the hand of God guiding you?
c. Do you praise God for all things, all the time?
d. We can experience knowing the hand of God being on us if we prepare the way Ezra prepared.
e. If we, like Ezra, determined to study God’s word, we will build up our knowledge so that we avoid being flexible to ideas and philosophies contrary to the truth of God.
f. If we, like Ezra, determined to obey God’s word – that is, to put it into practice in our lives – we embody the holiness that God desires of His children. We will not be flexible to sinful practice and behaviors.
g. Also, if we, like Ezra, determine to teach God’s word to others (children, family, friends, etc.) we will learn all the more and develop a spiritual integrity that withstands the winds of time.
IV. Conclusion
a. Don’t be a spiritual Galloping Gertie.
b. The hand of God is with those who study His word, who obey and practice it, and who teach it to others.
PRAYER
SONG: In the Hands of God
Ezra 7:9-10, 27-28 NLT
9 He had arranged to leave Babylon on April 8, the first day of the New Year, and he arrived at Jerusalem on August 4, for the gracious hand of his God was on him. 10 This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel.
27 Praise the Lord, the God of our ancestors, who made the king want to beautify the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem! 28 And praise him for demonstrating such unfailing love to me by honoring me before the king, his council, and all his mighty nobles! I felt encouraged because the gracious hand of the Lord my God was on me. And I gathered some of the leaders of Israel to return with me to Jerusalem.
