8 Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in August of that year. 9 He had arranged to leave Babylon on April 8, the first day of the new year, and he arrived at Jerusalem on August 4, for the gracious hand of his God was on him.10 This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel.
- Ezra 7:5-10
A scribe is a person who copies out documents, esp. one employed to do this before printing was invented. But Ezra wasn't just another scribe. He must have read the things he copied and studied them. It may be why Ezra was well versed in the law of Moses or the Torah. Ezra used his work to know GOD better, he didn't just copy, he studied what he wrote. But how could an ordinary scribe have such great favor from the king of the Land, that when he asked for the king the things he needed, the king gave everything he asked for! What was Ezra's secret? Well, he didn't find favor with the king because he was a man of influence or because he had power in this king's kingdom. He found favor first with the greatest King, the GOD of Israel, the true and living GOD of all the Universe. This is where Ezra first found favor and because GOD favored him, GOD caused the king of a pagan nation to favor him too. This is the secret to his success.
Ezra didn't just have all that he needed, in fact Ezra had planned everything that year to leave for Jerusalem on a certain date but he arrived in Jerusalem 4 days earlier than he planned to leave for Jerusalem. How is that??? I'm sure Ezra wanted to be there earlier than planned, and GOD gave him what he wanted not because he asked for it, but just because it delights GOD to make Ezra happy. Do you want to have that kind of relationship with GOD? Do you want to have that gracious hand of the LORD on you just as it was with Ezra? Then do as Ezra did, determine to study the word of GOD and apply, obey the law of the LORD which is the Bible, with all your heart and make sure you are able to teach others what you know has blessed you with GOD's gracious hand in your life. Determine to study GOD's ways and HE will certainly bless you more than you can ask or imagine. Whatever work you do in life, you can always apply GOD's word, use what you do to bring others to know GOD, seek GOD, study His word and apply it. This is the secret to success.
