Purpose Study Bible 342: Delayed but Not Denied
In the seventh chapter of the book named after him, we are finally introduced to the man named Ezra:
After these things, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub, the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth, the son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki, the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest—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 7:1-6).
The first thing the Word establishes is Ezra’s pedigree through genealogy, verifying his family heritage stretching all the way back to Aaron, the brother of Moses and Israel’s first high priest. Then the Word clearly describes Ezra’s purpose: he was “a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses.” Finally, the passage shows that God was with Ezra by granting him favor with the king, who gave him everything he needed to carry out his assignment.
God does the same thing for you. First, He establishes your identity as part of God’s family through Christ—that is your pedigree. Then God begins to reveal His purpose for you through your gifts, abilities, desires, and opportunities. Finally, He confirms your sphere of influence by providing favor, resources, and people who benefit from your gifts and purpose.
Also notice that God was setting the stage for Ezra during the first six chapters, positioning people where they needed to be and overcoming opposition that threatened the work. Ezra appears suddenly in chapter 7, but God had been preparing both Ezra and the environment long before his introduction.
What is God preparing you to do? Do you know who you are and what you do best? Are you developing your gifts and honing your purpose while you wait? If so, God will open the right door at the right time and place you where your preparation and purpose meet opportunity.