(7:1) 60 years  - There is a gap of almost 60 years between the events of Ezra 6 and Ezra7. The story in the book of Esther occurred at this time, during the reign of Ahasuerus (also called Xerxes the Great), who ruled from 486 to 465 BC.Artaxerxes, his son, became king in 465, and Ezra returned to Jerusalem in 458.

(7:6-10)  Ezra's Influence - Ezra demonstrates how a gifted Bible teacher can move God's people forward. He was effective because he was a well-versed student of the law of the Lord and because he was determined to obey God's laws. He taught through both his speaking and his example. Like Ezra, we should determine both to study and to obey God's Word, and to live by his principles daily.

(7:6) A Decree - Eighty years after the first exiles returned to Jerusalem (21), Ezra returned. This was his first trip, and it took four months. The temple had been standing for about 58 years. Up to this point in the narrative, Ezra had remained in Babylon, possibly compiling a record of the events that had taken place. Why did Ezra have to ask the king if he could return? He wanted to lead many Jews back to Jerusalem, and he needed a decree from the king stating that any Jew who wanted to return could do so. This decree would be like a passport in case they ran into opposition along the way. The king's generous decree showed that God was blessing Ezra (7:6, 28). It also indicated that Ezra was probably a prominent man in Artaxerxes's kingdom. He was willing to give up this position in order to return to his homeland and teach the Israelites God's laws.

(7:14) Seven Counsellor - The seven counsellors were Artaxerves's supreme court (see Esther 1:14).

(7:14) Nebuchadnezzar's Plunder - When Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the temple, he took a vast amount of plunder that may have included a copy of the book of the law (2 Chronicles 36:18). It is also possible that this book was brought by the Jews into exile and was confiscated and read by their conquerors. Foreign leaders who worshiped many gods liked to have records of the gods of other nations for military and political reasons.

(7:24) A Value is Noticed - Why did Artaxerxes exempt temple workers from paying taxes? He recognized that the priests and Levites filled an important role in society as spiritual leaders, so he freed them of tax burdens. While the Bible does not teach tax exemption for religious employees, Artaxerxes, a pagan king, recognized and supported the principle. In the New Testament, both Jesus and the apostle Paul support this concept (see Luke 10:7 and 1 Timothy 5:17-18), and Paul cites God's law in Deuteronomy 25:4, which allows oxen to feed while they work on the threshing floor. Today, churches should wrestle with the responsibility of keeping certain worldly burdens off the shoulders of spiritual workers.

(7:27-28) Ezra Praises God - Ezra praised God for all that God had done for him and through him. Ezra had honored God throughout his life, and God had chosen to honor him. Ezra could have assumed that his own greatness and charisma had won over the king and his princes, but he gave the credit to God. We, too, should be grateful to God for our success and not think that we achieved it in our own power. Our words and actions should reflect our gratitude for God's work in our lives.

(7:27) God Changes the King's Heart  - In Ezra's doxology, he acknowledges that God "put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD." God can change even a king's heart (see Proverbs 21:1). When we face life's challenges, we often must work diligently and with extraordinary effort, realizing that God oversees all our work. Recognize his hand in your success, and remember to praise him for his help, protection, and intervention.

(7:28) Ezra's Exhortation - The speaker here is Ezra. He writes in the first person for the remainder of the book.

 Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue in the book of Ezra with Chapter 7 and we see Ezra making a way for the second group of God's people to come back to their land. They were without God and His Word and as a result their lives were in a mess. In making application we see a parallel in How God made a way for us in Christ-Jesus. We also see how a life without God or His Word will produce an un-Godly, unfruitful life. How about you? Do you see the way that God has prepared for you? Do you also see the need for His Word to produce a fruitful life? Let us learn from our text today and the Life of Ezra who reminds us of the importance of the Lord's Way, the Lord's Will, and the Lord's Word.