The Bible describes him this way:
“Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, to do it, and to teach His statutes and rules in Israel.” (Ezra 7:10)
It sounds simple, but in a nation where compromise had become normal, Ezra’s devotion was revolutionary.
When King Artaxerxes issued a decree allowing him to return to Jerusalem (Ezra 7:11–26), Ezra took with him priests, Levites, singers, and servants. The journey wasn’t just a return to a city—it was a return to covenant. But as in Nehemiah’s time, there were enemies: governors beyond the river, Samaritans, and opportunists who sought to derail God’s work. Yet every letter of opposition was met with a greater decree from heaven’s throne. Even the kings of Persia became instruments of divine purpose.
When Ezra arrived, he found the people repeating the same mistakes of their ancestors—marrying into idolatrous nations, forgetting the Law, and blending their faith with the culture around them. The grief that broke him in Babylon returned. He tore his robe, fell to his knees, and prayed with tears. His heart wasn’t angry—it was repentant. His confession became contagious.
Soon, revival spread. The people gathered as one, hungry to hear the Word of God again.
