Ezra Rising Up - Ezra 10:6

In the book of Ezra, Ezra said, “then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word. And they swore”, and in chapter ten and verse six of Ezra, Ezra said he, “rose up from before the house of God”, where we read,

Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came there, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.

The verse reads, “Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib:” Ezra began with the words, “then Ezra rose up” or “at that time, therefore, wherefore and these things being so Ezra, whose name means help and was the priest and scribe who led the reforms of the returned exiles in Jerusalem, stood and arose” “from before the house of God” or “apart from the habitation, abode and dwelling place belonging to the Supreme Deity”, “and went into the chamber of Johanan” which means “and departed, proceeded and moved toward the room or parlor” “the son of Eliashib” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Eliashib whose name means Jehovah has graced”. Ezra shared how he stood up in the front of the dwelling place of Jehovah God and entered the parlor of “Johanan” who was “Eliashib's” male offspring. 

The verse goes on to say, “and when he came there, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.” Ezra continued with the words, “and when he came there” which means “and at the time and moment he, Ezra, proceeded to, was lead and walked in the chamber”, “he did eat no bread” or “he, Ezra, in no way or manner consumed or devoured grain or food”, “nor drink water” which means “no and not in any way imbibed water”: “for he mourned” or “because, since and on account that he, Ezra, lamented and bewailed” “because of the transgression of them” which means “since and on account of the unfaithfulness, treacherous acts and sin of the people of Israel” “that had been carried away” or “that were exiled and held in captivity”. Ezra shared how he entered the parlor within the temple of Jehovah God and ate no grain or food nor imbibed “water” because he was in mourning over the unfaithfulness and sin of the people who were held in captivity. 

When we meditate upon Ezra's words in this verse, we see how he referred to standing up in front of the dwelling place of Jehovah God and fasted food and drink because he bewailed the sin and unfaithfulness of the people who were held in exile. Ezra interceded on behalf of the people of Israel, and God wants us to understand He has intervened for us when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield our lives to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a desire to intercede for others who have violated God's ways and suffered captivity and exile because of it. 

Next time Ezra says, “they made a proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".