Ezra 7:21-28: a reflection

21I, even I, Artaxerxes the king, make a decree to all the treasurers who are beyond the River, that whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, requires of you, it shall be done with all diligence, 22up to one hundred talents of silver, and to one hundred cors of wheat, and to one hundred baths of wine, and to one hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much. 23Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done exactly for the house of the God of heaven; for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons? 24Also we inform you that it shall not be lawful to impose tribute, custom, or toll on any of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, temple servants, or laborers of this house of God. 25You, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people who are beyond the River, who all know the laws of your God; and teach him who doesn’t know them. 26Whoever will not do the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed on him with all diligence, whether it is to death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment. 27Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the LORD’s house which is in Jerusalem; 28and has extended loving kindness to me before the king and his counselors, and before all the king’s mighty princes. I was strengthened according to the LORD my God’s hand on me, and I gathered together chief men out of Israel to go up with me.

When the pagan king Artaxerxes issues a generous decree favoring Ezra and the rebuilding of the temple, Ezra recognizes God's hand behind it, blessing God who moved the king's heart. Blessed be the LORD, Ezra says, who has put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the LORD's house in Jerusalem, and has extended loving kindness to me before the king. Ezra did not credit the favorable decree merely to the king's goodwill or to good fortune; he saw God's hand behind it, God moving even the heart of a pagan king to accomplish his purposes and show kindness to his people. This shows that God works even through those in authority, moving hearts to accomplish his purposes. God works through those in authority to accomplish his purposes. God can move even a king's heart to do his will. Ezra saw God's hand behind a favorable decree. God's hand is behind the good that comes to us, even through others.

Notice how Ezra interpreted the favorable circumstances. A foreign king had issued a generous decree, granting Ezra all he needed and more for the work of God. Ezra could have credited this simply to the king's goodwill, or to good luck, or to his own persuasiveness. But he saw deeper: he blessed God, who had put this into the king's heart, who had moved even a pagan monarch to favor his people and his house. Ezra recognized God's unseen hand working through the king to accomplish his purposes. This is a way of seeing we do well to recover. God is at work even through those in authority, even through people who do not know him, moving hearts and circumstances to accomplish his purposes and care for his people. When good comes to us through others, through those in authority, through favorable circumstances, we can see, as Ezra did, God's hand behind it, and give thanks to him. God is not absent from the workings of authority and circumstance; he is at work in them, often unseen, accomplishing his purposes. We do well to recognize God's hand behind the good that comes to us, and to thank him. God works unseen through those in authority and through circumstances. See God's hand behind the good that comes to you, and thank him. God can move any heart to accomplish his purposes. Recognize and bless God's hand behind favorable circumstances.

That is worth taking to heart, for God works even through those in authority, moving hearts and circumstances to accomplish his purposes, and we do well to recognize his hand behind the good that comes to us. We can credit the good that comes to us merely to human goodwill, good fortune, or our own efforts; but Ezra saw God's hand behind the king's favorable decree, blessing God who had put it into the king's heart. God works through authority and circumstance, often unseen. When good comes to you through others or through favorable circumstances, recognize God's hand behind it, and thank him. Recognize God's hand behind the good that comes to you, even through those in authority or through favorable circumstances, and bless him for it, as Ezra, when the king Artaxerxes issued a generous decree favoring the work of God, did not credit it merely to the king's goodwill or to good fortune but blessed God who had put such a thing into the king's heart and extended kindness to him; for God is at work even through those in authority, even through people who do not know him, moving hearts and circumstances to accomplish his purposes and care for his people, and is not absent from the workings of authority and circumstance but at work in them, often unseen, so that when good comes to us through others or through favorable circumstances we do well to see God's hand behind it, as Ezra did, and give thanks to him, recognizing that he can move any heart to accomplish his purposes.

Lord, when the pagan king Artaxerxes issues a generous decree favoring Ezra and the rebuilding of the temple, Ezra recognizes your hand behind it, blessing you who moved the king's heart. Blessed be the LORD, Ezra says, who has put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the LORD's house in Jerusalem, and has extended loving kindness to me before the king. Ezra did not credit the favorable decree merely to the king's goodwill or to good fortune; he saw your hand behind it, you moving even the heart of a pagan king to accomplish your purposes and show kindness to your people. This shows that you work even through those in authority, moving hearts to accomplish your purposes. Show me how Ezra interpreted the favorable circumstances. A foreign king had issued a generous decree, granting Ezra all he needed for the work of God. Ezra could have credited this simply to the king's goodwill, or to good luck. But he saw deeper: he blessed you, who had put this into the king's heart. Ezra recognized your unseen hand working through the king to accomplish your purposes. This is a way of seeing I do well to recover. You are at work even through those in authority, even through people who do not know you, moving hearts and circumstances to accomplish your purposes and care for your people. When good comes to me through others, through those in authority, through favorable circumstances, I can see, as Ezra did, your hand behind it, and give thanks. Take that to my heart, for you work even through those in authority, and I do well to recognize your hand behind the good that comes to me. Keep me from crediting the good that comes to me merely to human goodwill or good fortune; help me recognize your hand behind it, Lord, and bless you for it, as Ezra saw your hand behind the king's decree, knowing you can move any heart to accomplish your purposes.