The Good Hand Of Our God

by AKPANIM, I | Category: N/a | Sept 2003

Ezra, a descendant of Aaron through Eleazar, led a second group of the remnant who returned to the land (Ezra 7:1-8:36) after the years of exile in Babylon. If we limit ourselves to chapters seven and eight, we find the phrase 'the hand of the Lord' appears six times, bearing various lessons that showcase God's abundant supply to His people.

Divine favour (7:6)

'The king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.' God apportions favour to whoever His hand is with. The presence of the Lord with Joseph was the cause of his being favoured by the prison keeper (Gen.39:21); the boy Samuel found favour both with men and with the Lord because the Lord was with him (1 Sam.2:26); the Lord was gracious to Israel because of His covenant (an assurance of His presence) with Abraham. Ezra demanded from the king a decree certifying the release of as many Jews as would want to return to Jerusalem. If our desire is centred on the house of God - its development, maintenance and continuity - how would there not be a divine favour granting us our request?

Divine direction (7:9)

Ezra '� began his journey from Babylon � to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him'. The Lord had been, and is still, in the business of directing and leading His people from 'Babylon' (Rev.18:4; see 2 Cor.6:14-18) and to 'Jerusalem' the place of peace, compacted together and dedicated to God (Ps.122). What a beautiful sight it is to see God direct His people away from the world full of fantasies and vanities - into the compacted house of God.

Divine strength (7:28)

'So I was strengthened (encouraged) as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me.' Divine strength is really needed in times of weakness. Ezra needed it to be able to gather men from Israel to go up with him. We need it, too, to be able to gather others into the house of God through our personal and collective witness (John 15:5). When weakness threatens, waiting on the Lord (Ps.27:14; Is.40:31) provides the necessary condition for the 'hand of the Lord' to administer strength.

Divine provision (8:18)

'By the good hand of our God upon us, they brought us ...' Nothing gladdens the mind so much as being provided for by God Himself. Hagar was provided with water for Ishmael by God (Gen.21:19); and God provided a ram as a substitute for Isaac (Gen.22:13). God is still supplying the needs of His people (Phil.4:19). Ezra's assembly at Ahava Canal lacked the presence and blessing of a Levite. The Lord provided Sherebiah. In the house of God all the essential services must be provided for, and this can only be done if we, Sherebiah-like, make ourselves available as those who are 'useful for the Master, prepared for every good work' (2 Tim.2:21).

Divine blessing (8:22)

'"The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him."' We, for our part, are encouraged to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and 'everyday' blessings will be added. Ezra resolved to seek the law of the Lord and to do it, and to teach it (Ezra 7:10). Jesus began both to do and to teach (Acts 1:1); the Psalmist sought to keep the Law (Ps.119:34); and the apostle Paul exhorted us to do all that we have both seen and heard from him (Phil.4:9). The reward remains the divine blessing from the hand of the Lord.

Divine deliverance (8:31)

'�And the hand of our God was upon us, and He delivered us."' The Lord delivered Ezra from the hand of his enemy; even as Psalm 34:7 promised that the angel of the Lord would encamp around and deliver God-fearing ones. We remember how God delivered Israel from the Egyptians with His outstretched arm. Oh, that the outstretched arms of Jesus on the cross should be seen by all to suffice for their total deliverance! Hear him out: '"I have overcome the world"' (John 16:33).

AKPANIM, I | Sept 2003
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