Chapter 7
This chapter starts with the genealogy of Ezra the scribe, going all the way back to Aaron. So he is in the Aaronic line, not just the Levitical. Ezra goes to Artaxerxes, King of Persia (So this is after Xerxes/Ahasueras), and he is granted all that he asks for. Because God is with him.
6 this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the LORD, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him. [Ezr 7:6 ESV] A good little FB post here. If God is using us, our prayers are answered, our needs are met, our purposes accomplished.
Ezra returns to Jerusalem, in the 7th year of Artaxerxes, with some priests and Levites who wanted to go back also. I believe this would be the second return, as the first was under Zerubbabel and Joshua. Now Ezra...and I believe Nehemiah will lead the third return. It takes four months for this group to travel from Babylonia to Jerusalem Ezra's purpose in returning is clearly stated here:
10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. [Ezr 7:10 ESV] He is called to teach. To study, and then to teach others what he has learned.
The letter from Artaxerxes to Ezra is reproduced here. A royal document. First it says anyone who wants to return with Ezra has the King's leave to do so. He is also sending money with Ezra. Ezra is to buy bulls and goats, and the accompanying grain offerings, in the House of God in Jerusalem. A pretty good working knowledge of how the sacrifices worked is indicated here. The King of Persia is familiar with the worship requirements and practices of the Mosaic Law. If he wants sacrifices made on his behalf, is he a believer? Or is he just covering his bases? He also provides money from the King's treasury for whatever else they need. So Ezra has a blank check. Then a decree is addressed to all the Persian officials in "The province Beyond the River" as to how much should be provided, and furthermore, none of the temple officials of any capacity are to be taxed! Ezra is authorized to install judges and magistrates to judge the people in the province according to God's law AND the law of the king, and they are authorized to execute their judgements up to and including death sentences! This is remarkable! When God decided to send them home, he provided for them to do two main things: To worship in the temple in the way prescribed at Sinai, and to live entirely under the statutes, commandments, and judgements that they had agreed to at Mt. Sinai. There are no external restrictions on them as to law or worship. In fact, the King of Persia is compelling them to obey God's law! They can enter right back in to full covenant relationship with God if they only will! Ought to be a FB post from this also.