0424. 416. Hand of God

416. Hand of God

In Ezra 7-8. Ezr_7:15-28

1. A Ready Leader—Ezr_7:6. “Ready” means “skilful” or quick. The word comes from a root which means to flow easily, to be liquid, hence to be prompt, to answer, to do. There was no hesitation or trepidation. To be ready in the things of God shows we are in touch with the God of the things.

2. Supplied Leader—Ezr_7:6. Behind the king’s granting him “all his request” is “according to the hand of his God.” Earthly stores come from the Lord’s cupboard.

3. Prepared Leader—Ezr_7:10. Before Ezra taught others he “prepared” himself, and he “prepared” himself by the best possible means, namely, “prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord.”

4. Recognised Leader. The King of Persia recognised that Ezra was a man who was instructed in the commandments and law of God—see the frequent references to the fact in Ezr_7:11-12, Ezr_7:21, Ezr_7:23, Ezr_7:25, Ezr_7:26. When we recognise God by our obedience to His Word He will cause others to recognise us to our honour.

5. Thankful Leader—Ezr_7:27, Ezr_7:28. Ezra praised “the Lord God of our fathers,” and acknowledged all that came to him through the king was from “the hand of the Lord my God.”

6. Associated Leader—Ezr_8:15-20, Ezr_8:24-30. A leader must have someone to lead, and each and all go to make the sum total of success. “The priests” and “the people,” the “men of understanding” and the “man of understanding,” the sons of Levi, and “all who were expressed by name” were required in the Lord’s work and worship.

7. Prayerful Leader—Ezr_8:21-23. Mark the expressive words: “To seek of Him a right way,” “The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him,” “Besought our God for this, and He was entreated of us.”

8. Conquering Leader—Ezr_8:31, Ezr_8:32. Ezra not only started on his journey to Jerusalem, but he got there, and he was able because of the “hand of God” to lead his host, to keep from being ensnared, and conquered by the way.

By: DR. F. E. MARSH