Wise Master Builder #8 | God’s Hand Upon Us

Introduction 

A besetting sin amongst God’s people is trying to walk by sight, instead of by faith. As we consider the testimony of Ezra we are given an exemplary lesson in how the godly should undertake great things, risky things, for the glory of God by faith, instead of by sight.

The Text

And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava; and there abode we in tents three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi. Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding […]
Ezra 8:15ff

Summary of the Text

This chapter opens with a record of who all came with Ezra in this second wave of returning exiles (vv1-14). Roughly 5000 exiles join Ezra, and they can be sorted into three categories: priestly, royal, and laity. Having been summoned to return, the exiles gathered by the Euphrates. After three days of organizing the people, Ezra realizes that there are no Levites (v15). Remember Ezra’s principle project: he had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, in order to do it, and then to teach Israel to do the same (7:10). In that light, consider what Ezra needed: hands on deck. Thus, Ezra sends word to some notable Levites, and 38 Levite households respond to a summons to gather ministers for the house of God (vv16-20). Ezra sees  the eager response of these men of understanding as evidence of God’s good hand being upon the project (v18).

Before venturing forward, Ezra leads the exiles in a fast for a particular reason. Ezra knew that the way ahead held a great deal of danger. King Darius had offered to meet whatever Ezra needed for this mission (Ez. 7:20). However, Ezra had told him that God’s hand of goodness was upon them that seek Him, but against those who forsake Him (vv21-22). Ezra did not want to undermine his witness, but neither did he want to endanger this flock. Thus, the summons to prayer and fasting (v23).

Ezra then arranges the priests into twelve groups, and commits the accounting and stewardship of the treasure into their keeping; this treasure amounted to 25 tons of silver, and more than 3 tons of gold (vv24-27). These priests are charged to “watch” and to “keep” these temple treasures, much like Adam had been tasked with the priestly oversight of Eden (vv28-29). This second wave of returning exiles depart from the riverside merely two days (Nisan 12) before the Passover (Nisan 14). God’s hand was indeed upon them, and the hand of evil men did them no harm on their four month journey (Cf. 7:8-9) back to Jerusalem. Upon their arrival they dwelt in Jerusalem for three days (v32), before unpacking wagons full of treasure on the fourth day (vv33-34). Additionally, these returning exiles––described as “the children of those who had been carried away”––offer up burnt offerings as a renewed Israel (v35). Lastly, Ezra let’s the King’s officials know they have the King’s authority to do all this. Their arrival really was a “lifting up” for both the people and the house of God (v36).

Men of Understanding

As we saw in the previous chapter, Ezra was marked as a diligent scribe. His aim was for God’s people to know and obey God’s word by faith. This is why he halts the return until he can recruit enough hands on deck. The temple had been restored, but Ezra doesn’t want a beautiful temple and ignorant people. God was renewing His people, and Ezra discerned that God renews His people through the ministry of the Word. 

As we build, as we grow, as we do the work of reformation, there is always a temptation to measure our success using the wrong metrics. It isn’t beautiful buildings, large platforms, high attendance, or great wealth that measures the faithfulness of a work. None of those things are bad. But they are not the measurement. The measure is found in things like do your children love the Lord? Would your browser history reflect a heart that delights in the Lord? Does the love of money have you by the throat? Are you quick to confess your sin to those you wrong, or are you hiding sin? Ezra’s aim is a glorious people. He saw that the true house of God was a faithful people. A faithful people are built by faithful ministers of the Word. One of our central prayers for our country should be that God would raise up men of understanding who can teach and disciple our nation well. We have wandered far from faithfulness, but when you see faithful ministers, men of understanding, you should, like Ezra, see God’s hand at work.

Risk & Faith

So, why does Ezra pull such a gutsy move? Here’s $500,000,000 worth of gold and silver. No, we don’t need the king’s guard! As the old preacher’s joke goes, the hymn says, “I surrender all, not I surrender some.” Jesus teaches us that playing it safe is the best way to endanger yourself. Paul said that he counted all things loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus. Seek God’s kingdom first, and receive the world. Or seek this world and lose your place in God’s kingdom. Save your life, you lose it. Lose your life, and you gain it. What madness is this? It is right-side up logic for an upside down world.

God calls you to take that which you treasure, and entrust it entirely to His care. God often sets frightening circumstances in front of us. Here’s treasure, there are scoundrels along the road that want your treasure. Just trust God. March forward. It’ll be fine.

There two ways to immediately apply this sort of risky faith. First, your children are a treasure; and you must, by faith, endanger them. Your aim isn’t to get your children into adulthood with complete ignorance of all the evils which this world is filled with. Your aim is to teach your children to be fearless of those evils, to be faithful in those dangers. This means you need to teach your kids to be brave. Let them use the power-tools (with appropriate oversight). Put the toddler on the stairs and have them jump to you (and make sure to catch them), and then put them on the next highest stair. If you’re wound up with all the anxieties about skinned knees, red dye 40, radio waves, or other reasonable concerns, you’ll end up raising an anxious child. You want children that can walk through the shadowy valley of death and fear no evil. 

Secondly, this text really challenges us with our own material wealth. Too often Christians seek after government provision and protection; we bemoan the state of the economy as an excuse for why we can’t risk our wealth in various kingdom building projects. But Christian generosity is necessarily a hazarding of our wealth. We give, and we trust God to not fail to supply all our needs. We ought not look first and foremost at the economy, tax credits, or government conditions before deciding what to do with our wealth. We are to be generous because the Word of God instructs us to be so.

Seeing God’s Hand

When you look at your circumstances, do you discern that God’s hand has been at work? We often fail to see God’s providential hand moving right in front of us. We want a guarantee that we can get our treasure safely to Jerusalem first, before we refuse the king’s assistance. Ezra challenges us with His unflinching moxy in the good hand of God being upon those who seek Him. He sees God providing faithful and eager men of understanding. He sees God’s hand by faith, as He looks ahead at a four month journey, along a war torn road, with tons of silver and gold. The Word of God is light for your path. God wants to help you see the whole world clearly. As you look at the days ahead, do you see God’s hand? As you look at your treasure, do you see God’s hand hovering protectively over it? As you look at the sins in your hand, do you see the nail-scarred hand of Christ which bled for your forgiveness?

Charge and Benediction

If you’ve ever watched a meteor shower you know that you have to keep your eyes looking in the right direction, and you can’t look away or else you’ll miss the shooting stars. This week, keep your eyes wide open by faith to see God’s hand upon your circumstances. And then, tell someone about it. Talk with your family about how you saw God’s hand at work in your life. And of course, give Him thanks.

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21