(REFLECTIONS ON Ezra 7:1-10)

For such a time as this is a quote from the Book of Esther. Esther was a Jew that became queen of Persia during the time of King Xerxes. During a time when the Jews faced great persecution, Esther was challenged by her relative Mordecai to use her position in the Persian Empire to save her people. In a famous quote, Mordecai told Esther,

14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Esther indeed came to her royal position for such a time as this and she was able to influence King Xerxes and save her people. Esther’s story encourages us to reflect on how the Lord is preparing us, and has been preparing us, perhaps for such a time as this. 

In today’s Scripture, Ezra enters the picture for such a time as this. He too was preparing and being molded and shaped by the Lord, for such a time as this. We read,

6 this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. 

9 He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month,for the gracious hand of his God was on him. 10 For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

The Lord has His timing to bring the right people, at the right time, to join His salvation story. We as a royal priesthood are also given an opportunity through what the Lord has given to us in our study of His word, acting on His word, and sharing of His word, to participate in what the Lord is doing at this time and in this place.

We have been gathered together, a mishmash of people with different backgrounds, cultures, traditions and languages, for such a time as this. Although to some it may seem like a band of misfits, or broken parts, but to the Lord it is a melting pot of His prized possessions, all to be used by Him for such a time as this. 

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Ezra 7