06.14.2016 Old Testament: Ezra 7.1–6

To read the Bible in a year, read Ezra 6–8 on June 14, In the year of our Lord 2016

By Don Ruhl

Ezra knew how to use skill in making copies of the Law of Moses, and he had skill in dealing with people,

Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah…this Ezra came up from Babylon; and he was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given. The king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him (Ezra 7.1–6).

Why would a Persian king give a Jewish scribe everything that he requested? Ezra had the right spirit, which appealed to the Persian king, so much so that he wanted to give Ezra whatever he wanted.

Questions:

• How do people react to you?
• Does it appear to you that you turn people off, or do you win their friendship easily?