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. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.
Ezra 7:6 NIV
When we think of those who teach God’s Word, we often focus on their knowledge, eloquence, or influence. Yet, in Ezra chapter 7, we encounter a man whose qualifications run far deeper than surface credentials. Ezra’s life offers us a divine blueprint for anyone aspiring to spiritual leadership—one marked by lineage, devotion, and divine favour.
Ezra did not arrive in Jerusalem merely as a scholar or scribe; he came as a man whose life bore the clear imprint of God’s hand. Ezra set out to instruct the people in the Law of the Lord, but before he could begin that sacred task, he had already laid essential foundations in his life.
A Traceable Lineage: Born of the Right Family
The first five verses of Ezra 7 present a detailed genealogy, tracing Ezra’s roots back to Aaron, the first high priest. This wasn’t a random detail; it established Ezra’s priestly legitimacy. In God’s Kingdom, lineage matters—not just in biological terms, but more importantly, in spiritual ones.
Today, the most significant question is: are we born of God? Have we experienced the new birth through faith in Christ? Those who desire to teach the Word or lead God’s people must first be spiritually traceable—to the cross, to a life of submission, and to a family in the faith.
Ezra’s lineage was not hidden or questionable—it was recognised and respected. His priesthood was not assumed but affirmed. Likewise, anyone called to serve must have a visible and credible walk with God. Therefore, we must ask ourselves: who raised you in the Lord? Can we trace your spiritual roots to the family of faith? Have you joined a house that nurtures and affirms your call?
Devoted to the Word: Learning, Living, and Leading
Furthermore, Ezra 7:10 captures the heart of this man’s ministry: “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.”
This was not casual curiosity or academic interest. Ezra gave himself fully to God’s Word. He first studied it with diligence. Then he lived it out, allowing the truth to shape his own life. Only after doing both did he begin to teach others.
This divine sequence—study, observe, then teach—is still God’s standard. Ezra was not a hypocrite, preaching truths he wouldn’t obey. He modelled the Word before he ministered it. His obedience became his qualification, and his character became his platform. In an age where influence often precedes integrity, Ezra reminds us that God calls us to be before we speak. So, to teach the truth, we must first let that truth shape our own lives.
The Hand of the Lord Was Upon Him
Ezra 7:6 reveals a powerful reason for Ezra’s effectiveness: “The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.”
God’s hand—His presence, His power, and His approval—rested on Ezra. He did not appoint himself; God sent him. The Lord wasn’t a distant concept to him; He was his God. Ezra had a living relationship with the One he served. This divine favour wasn’t random—it followed a life of obedience and devotion.
God’s hand makes the difference. It’s not charisma, connections, or credentials that equip us for Kingdom work—it’s God’s hand upon us. Without it, we labour in vain.
Ezra’s life raises vital questions for us. Do we have a spiritual lineage that bears witness to our new birth? Have we devoted ourselves to studying God’s Word? More importantly, are we living what we read, allowing the Word to shape our everyday actions and attitudes? Do we teach the word we practice or just what we know?
Is the hand of the Lord upon our lives? Are we seeking His approval or simply following our own ambitions?
In the end, Ezra’s testimony was marked not only by what he taught, but by how he lived. He studied the Word, lived it out, and then taught it with grace and authority. This is the divine pattern—one that continues to call every believer who longs to serve.
Let us not rush into responsibility without preparation. Let our lives echo Ezra’s: shaped by the Word, anchored in truth, and guided by the hand of God.