Today’s Bible Reading: Ezra 8:15-10:44

In today’s reading we find an awesome picture of the Holy Spirit. Like Ezra encouraged the captive Jews to follow him to Jerusalem, so to the Holy Spirit points to Jesus and beckons us to follow Him.

Only about 1,500 Jews followed Ezra out of Babylon and returned to Jerusalem (Ezra 8:1-15). Ezra didn't force those held in captivity to be free. In fact the Jews in Babylon had become quite comfortable there. That’s how it can be with us. We who were once dead in trespasses and sins, God reconciled and has raised us up (Eph 2:1-5).

For the Jews, leaving Babylon was just the first step in the journey. Once they reached Jerusalem, Ezra taught them God’s law and how to worship in the newly re-built temple. Once we decided to follow Christ, The Holy Spirit instructs us how we should love and worship.

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

What other pictures and similarities can you find between Ezra and how The Holy Spirit leads you? There are quite a few, so dig in and rejoice as God opens our eyes and ears to His treasures!

Additional historical reference: 1 Chronicles 3:17-24