Confession and Covenant

MEMORY VERSE: “Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” —Ezra 7:10

NEHEMIAH 8:1,8; 9:32-38

OUR memory verse indicates that Ezra was a devoted servant of God and that he had dedicated himself to do God’s will as expressed at that time through the Law which had been given to Israel at Mt Sinai. He “prepared his heart” not only to know and do God’s will himself but also “to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.”

Ezra’s influence among the returned exiles had been a wholesome one. Under his leading they had been brought to realize the need of maintaining separateness from the non-Jewish people of the land. They had also repented of their sins against the law of God. And now, in the opening verse of this lesson, we find the people gathered together and asking “Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel” that it might be read to them.

Ezra readily acceded to this request and brought the book of the Law “before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding. … And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.”—ch. 8:2,3

Verse 8 reads, “So they read in the book of the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” An important truth is here set forth; namely, that the meaning of the Lord’s Word needs to be explained in order for his people to understand and appreciate it.

We may think of the entire Bible as the inspired Word of God—both the Old and New Testaments. The ancient prophets, our Lord Jesus, and the apostles have contributed in the Lord’s providence to provide us with this inspired Book. However, Paul explains that the Lord has also provided for his church of the Christian era, pastors, teachers, and evangelists for the work of the ministry. These are not inspired servants, but they are used by the Lord to give “the sense” of what has been written.

Nehemiah 9:32-38 is the conclusion of a prayer in which the Israelites acknowledge their sins, and thank God for his mercy in preserving them throughout all the years of their national existence. According to the strict demands of the Law, the Israelites were seldom in a position in which they could expect much in the way of blessing from the Lord. However, despite the fact that God had punished them in various ways, he had not destroyed them as a nation, but had been merciful to them; and he still continued to be.

God had not been unjust in the punishments which he had brought upon Israel, for their kings, princes, and priests had not kept the Law as they should have done. God had blessed the Israelites with a “large and fat land” but they had not been faithful to him, and had been taken out of that land to serve as exiles in Babylon for seventy years.

Now they were back in their land—at least a part of them were—but still they did not have their freedom. “Behold, we are servants this day,” they said, in the land which God gave to their fathers. The land was yielding much increase, but the benefit was going to the kings “whom Thou hast set over us because of our sins,” the people said.

“Also,” they continued, “they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.” (ch. 9:36-38) Because of this they then made a “sure covenant” with the Lord, but they were not given their freedom. Israel continued to be a subject people, and finally, in A.D. 70 were dispersed to the far corners of the earth. Israel regained her freedom in 1948.

QUESTIONS

Was Ezra an appreciated leader in Israel?

Do the Lord’s people need help in understanding the Bible?

When did Israel finally regain her freedom?

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