September 16, 2026
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Reading along with us in Ezra and James? Here’s today’s reading:
Ezra 7 (NIV)
Ezra Comes to Jerusalem
1 After these things, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, 2 the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub, 3 the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,…..Continue Reading
“Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem, and has extended mercy to me before the king and his counselors, and before all the king’s mighty princes. So I was encouraged, as the hand of the Lord my God was upon me; and I gathered leading men of Israel to go up with me.”
Ezra 7:27-28 NKJV
Ezra comes to Jerusalem to administer the area based in the truth of God, by the authority of the king. How neat to read the words the king shares that recognize the Jewish God for who He is and direct provision to be made for Ezra, the Jews and for the worship of God. How awesome that God directs the heart of this king to act in accordance with His will and for His people, even to make sure that the Word of God is taught and obeyed! It is also important to see the Bible referencing real people, in real time and see how God works in the context of it.
Ezra 7
Psalm 26; Ezra 7; Nehemiah 6
Ezra 7
Ezra is given a passport by artaxerxes to return to Jerusalem. 4 month journey 900 miles by foot.