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{{DOD-May}}
Chapters 7 and 8 record the coming of [[Ezra]] to [[Jerusalem]]. [[Ezra]] was a priest from the family of Aaron. He was also a ready student of the Law, and a scribe (see [[Jeremiah]] 8:8). It took him four months to make the journey of nearly 1,000 miles from [[Babylon]] to [[Jerusalem]], but the hand of [[God]] was upon him and he prospered. The king decreed that any Jew could go up with [[Ezra]] and return to the land.
Chapter 8 lists the names of the families and the men that accompanied [[Ezra]] on his hazardous trip to [[Jerusalem]]. It was important that the Levites go along because it was their duty to study the [[Word]] and teach it to the people. Unfortunately, [[Ezra]] had to draft some of the Levites, because they did not volunteer to go.
No sooner had the teacher of the [[Word]] of [[God]] arrived than the [[Word]] of [[God]] began to reveal [[sin]] in the land. [[Ezra]] discovered that the [[Jews]] had mingled with their heathen neighbors and married heathen wives. Because of his sorrow and repentance, the people who knew [[God]]'s [[Word]] began to tremble, fearing what the [[Lord]] might do to the feeble nation. [[Ezra]] 's prayer of confession in chapter 9:6-15 should be compared with [[Daniel]]'s prayer ([[Daniel]] 9) and the prayer of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 9). [[Ezra]] said, "...O my [[God]], I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee...." It is interesting to note that [[Daniel]], [[Ezra]] , and Nehemiah all had to confess national [[sin]] and plead for forgiveness. However, it was not enough for the religious leaders to [[pray]]. The entire nation had to face its [[sin]] and make matters right with [[God]].
Chapter 10 covers the cleansing of the nation. There was a definite revival in [[Jerusalem]]. [[God]] answered [[Ezra]] 's prayer by touching and convicting the hearts of the people. You may want to read Nehemiah 8:8-13 for some parallel accounts of this revival.