Purpose Study Bible 346: The Hand of God

One phrase occurs six times in the second half of Ezra after he shows up as the main character of the book:

• Ezra 7:6 — "the king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him."
• Ezra 7:9 — "he arrived in Jerusalem... for the gracious hand of his God was on him."
• Ezra 7:28 — "because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I took courage..."
• Ezra 8:18 — "Because the gracious hand of our God was on us, they brought us..."
• Ezra 8:22 — "The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him..."
• Ezra 8:31 — "The hand of our God was on us, and he protected us..."

Even though he was a learned expert in the Law of God, and even though the pagan king had promoted and funded his work, Ezra saw his success primarily as an act of God's hand. God was guiding, protecting, comforting, and blessing, all represented by the phrase "the gracious hand of God."

Where is that gracious hand present in your life? What do you do that when you do it you sense God's helpful presence? Where do your preparation and God's hand join to create a formidable force as you carry out His will for your life?

The hand of God wasn't something Ezra experienced once. It accompanied him throughout the entire assignment. Ezra did what only he could do, and God did what only God could do, and together they changed the world. When you follow Ezra's model, you will have the same kind of impact.