以斯拉在本書前六章做了背景交代後，從第七章起，開始記述自己的工作。在此我們稍複習一下，一至二章，他描述了上帝如何改變世局，把百姓領回故土。三至六章，寫到上帝如何掌管歷史演變，完成聖殿的修建。如今他列出他個人祭司身分的家譜，上可追溯至亞倫、以利亞撒和撒督。而他曾祖希勒家，更是約西亞王宗教復興年間，在聖殿中找到律法書的那位大祭司（代下34：14）。以斯拉返鄉的使命和主要目的，就是要教導百姓明白上帝的律法，因為自從獻殿禮之後，好些年來，百姓的靈性又低迷了。但上帝深愛其子民，便興起人如其名的以斯拉（即幫助之意），來幫助、堅固、鼓舞、復甦他們的心靈。

        以斯拉熱切遵循上主的律法，專注而誠心的尋求祂。祂不但立志考查神聖的律法，更在每日生活中加以實踐。認真聽道與行道，不但是每位信徒事奉上帝、靈性成長的不二法門，也是每位傳道人及聖經老師的先決條件。以斯拉做到了，故能成為傳令尊敬愛戴的老師。他亦全心投入教導，以期造就百姓，明白聖言（參尼8：8、12；太5：19）。

        以斯拉之所以會返鄉，和亞達薛西王有密切關係。王的那篇諭令真叫人嘖嘖稱奇。我們也再次看到，上主在一位國王心中動工，藉此向百姓施恩。當時，以斯拉很可能是亞達薛西宮廷中的一位官員，那篇諭令似乎就是他本人從旁協助國王寫成的，因為內容中把以斯拉的使命和心願寫得一清二楚，就是教導上帝的律法（7：6、25）。國王差派以斯拉照著上帝的律法，前去詳察猶大和耶路撒冷的景況（7：14），這的確是衡量屬靈狀況唯一可靠的途徑。此外，亞達薛西王亦吩咐以斯拉根據上帝律法，建立一套司法制度，治理河西的百姓。凡違法者，以斯拉有權予以判罪、行刑。以斯拉辦事，國王放心，因為以斯拉顯然擁有上帝所賜的智慧（7：25、26）。

        亞達薛西王慷慨樂施大筆經費，讓以斯拉帶著去美化聖殿，並獻種種祭禮給上帝，甚至明令那一轄區的各級官員，供應以斯拉的一切所需，官員皆照辦（8：36）。他也下令，不許向祭司、利未人、及任何在聖殿裡供職的人徵稅。亞達薛王明言他如此善待猶大人A理由之一就是為了避免上帝向他和他的子孫發怒。（7：23；8：22）

        以斯拉頌揚上帝促成了這一切祝福，也強調自己全然倚靠上帝（7：27~28）。以斯拉曾向亞達薛西王見證過全能上帝的偉大，而且他還把自己的話付諸實行，不請求波斯王派軍隊護送。如果他要求的話，他將會倍感羞愧，因為那樣就表示上帝沒有能力保護他們（8：22）。那個時候旅行的車隊遭到歹徒強盜的攻擊，是稀鬆平常的事，尤其以斯拉一路上帶著那麼多財物，更是遭嫉忌。以斯拉深知若不得軍隊的保護，就必須完全倚靠上帝，難怪他迫切禱告和禁食。而上帝也顯明祂的信實可靠，沿途保護他們不受歹人的攻擊（8：23，31）。

        這趟旅程全長約一千四百五十公里（九百英里），走了四個月才到達耶路撒冷。抵達終站時，其興奮之情，真是可以想像的。這些遊子從小生長於被擄的異地，如今終於親眼目睹魂縈夢牽、長輩們一再提起的上帝聖城，其中的利未人和祭司則更是興奮得見上主的聖殿，今後將能參與殿中的服事，實踐上帝對他們的呼召。眾人歡歡喜喜的敬拜上主，在祂的壇上向祂獻祭。

        主，謝謝您在教會中選立您的僕人做我們的領袖，求您祝福他們。他們既忠心的順服您，但願我們也帶著信心，順服他們。奉耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。

English

        From this point in the book, after giving the background material (chapters 1-6), Ezra begins to deal with his own work from a personal perspective. Thus far, Ezra has shown how God arranged the circumstances to bring His people back into the land (chapters 1, 2), and how He overruled in history to bring about the completion of the Temple (chapters 3-6). He now presents his priestly lineage, traced back to Aaron through Zadok and Eleazar, to establish his authority to lead and teach the Law. His great-grandfather, Hilkiah, was the high priest who found the book of the Law during the restoration of the Temple under Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:14). Ezra's mission and main goal in returning was to teach the Law of God to the people. It appears that over the many years since the dedication of the Temple (6:16-18), the people's spirituality had diminished, but because God loved His people, He sent Ezra, just the right person to help ("help" is the meaning of his name), strengthen, encourage, and refresh their spirits.

        Ezra was zealous to follow the Law of the Lord and sought Him with a pure heart. He determined to not only learn the Law but "do it" by putting the Law into practice in his everyday life. To serve God and have spiritual growth, a believer must be committed to God's Holy Word and be consistent in living it out; this is a prerequisite for every teacher or preacher of the Word of God (key verse, 7:10). Ezra was therefore a noble and worthy teacher, and he was committed to instructing the people that they might understand God's word (cf. Nehemiah 8:8,12; Matthew 5:19).

        The decree of king Artaxerxes is truly amazing. Once again, the Lord stirred the heart of a king to show favour to His people. Ezra may have had an official position in the court of king Artaxerxes; also, it appears that he guided the king in the contents of this royal decree, for it specifically states Ezra's true purpose and desire in going — to teach God's Law (7:6, 25). The king commissioned Ezra to evaluate the condition of Jerusalem and Judah according to the Law of his God (7:13), which is the only valid way to evaluate spirituality. Artaxerxes also commissioned Ezra to establish a judicial system based upon the Law of God, and he gave Ezra the authority to inflict punishments upon those who would break the Law. The King knew Ezra was capable, since it was clear that he had God-given wisdom (7:25-26).

        With great generosity, Artaxerxes provided money for Ezra to take with him to beautify the Temple and provide for the many sacrifices to God. He even made the stipulation that his officials over that region were to supply Ezra with whatever he needed, which they did (8:36). He also ordered that priests, Levites, and any others who worked in the Temple service were to be exempt from paying taxes. Artaxerxes stated that one of his reasons for showing such kindness to the Jews was to avert God's wrath from himself and his sons (7:23;8:22b).

        Ezra acknowledged that the Lord was the cause for these blessings, and he recognized his total dependence upon Him (7:27-28). Ezra had witnessed to Artaxerxes about the greatness of his almighty God, and he put his words into practice by not asking to be accompanied by soldiers; for if he did, he would be ashamed, because it would mean his God did not have the power to protect them (8:22). Raids on caravans, however, were a common thing, especially if they were carrying much wealth, as with Ezra. Ezra knew that if they were not accompanied by soldiers, they had to depend totally on God for their protection. No wonder Ezra called for much prayer and fasting, but the Lord proved Himself faithful and saved them from enemies and raiders (8:23, 31).

        Their journey was about 1,450 kilometers (900 miles) and it took them four months to finally reach Jerusalem. What a thrill it must have been for them, having been born in captivity, to see the Holy City of their God, which they had heard so much about from their parents; and it must have been especially thrilling for the Levites and priests to see the Temple of the Lord and be able to participate in the service to God to which they had been called. With great joy, they worshipped the Lord and sacrificed to Him upon His altar.

        Lord, thank You for Your servants that You've given us as leaders in our church. Bless them all, and may we follow them with confidence as they faithfully follow You.