Ezra Comes to Jerusalem

In the days of King Artaxerxes of Persia, Ezra went up from Babylon to Jerusalem. He was a skilled scribe in the law God had given to Israel. The king gave Ezra what he asked for, and Ezra arrived in Jerusalem after months of travel. Ezra had set his heart to study God’s law, to live by it, and to teach it in Israel.

The king sent Ezra with an official letter. It allowed Israelites, priests, and Levites who wished to go with him to Jerusalem. The king and his counsellors gave silver and gold for God’s house, and Ezra was to use it for offerings and for other needs of the house of God. The king also ordered local treasurers to help Ezra.

Artaxerxes also said that workers at God’s house should not be taxed. He told Ezra to appoint magistrates and judges, and to teach those who did not know God’s law. Ezra praised God for putting this into the king’s heart. Strengthened by God’s hand on him, Ezra gathered leaders from Israel to travel with him.

When the travellers gathered by the river Ahava, Ezra saw that no Levites were there. So he sent leaders to ask for ministers for God’s house, and Levites and temple servants came. Then Ezra called for a fast. He wanted the people to humble themselves before God and ask for a safe path for themselves, their children, and their possessions.

Ezra was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers, because he had spoken about God’s help for those who seek him. So the people fasted and prayed, and God granted their request. Ezra carefully weighed out the silver, gold, and temple vessels to priests and Levites to guard. On the journey, God delivered them from enemies and bandits. In Jerusalem, the treasures were weighed again, offerings were made, and the king’s orders were delivered to the governors, who then supported the people and God’s house.