The Word of God rebukes, encourages, and exhorts. It cuts the heart. It is our necessary food and it is also vital for correction. Ezra was entrusted by God to teach it to the people. In fact, his teaching would stand as the authoritative law of the land. The king says, “Whoever will not obey the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be strictly executed on him, whether for death or for banishment or for confiscation of his goods or for imprisonment.” (Ezra 7:26)
Ezra had come to teach the law to God’s people. Through the law, the people would be called to obedience but they would also be reminded of their sin. It was necessary, just as it is now, to look to the law of God and see God’s standard of holiness. But as with all people, the Jews would sin. The law reveals this sin, but only goes so far. For those who hear the law preached and feel convicted under the weight of it, another one of God’s amazing acts was needed – one, ultimate act that perhaps that temple in the background might be pointing the people to time and again.
