Commentary on the Book of Ezra
Father Tadross Y. Malaty

“THE HAND OF GOD IS UPON ME”

If the two books of Ezra and Nehemiah that were originally one book, fiting all eras, they are rather more fitting for the believers at the beginning of the twenty-first century AD; It is the book of the contemporary believer.

HE WHO SITS ON THE THRONE MOVES ALL THRONES:

The contemporary man stands confused; cannot predict what is going to happen neither in the near nor in the far future.

Even men of politics in the world are in fear of the future; as though the world came to be a kind of toy in the hands of some unknown people.

The book of Ezra presents peace of mind to the believer; that, above all thrones, kings, leaders, and evil-planners, whether hidden or manifest, there is the Almighty God of the universe, in whose hand is the whole history. According to the human mind, it was not possible for the people in captivity to believe that an idol-worshipper king would believe that the Lord God of heaven has given him all the kingdoms of the earth, and has commanded him to build for Him a house in Jerusalem.

In this book we stand in awe before the amazing and good hand of God that worked in all directions to achieve what no one could ever imagine and expect.

“THE HAND OF GOD IS UPON HIM”

The secret of Ezra’s strength and success in his tough mission, was expressed in this phrase often repeated in his book:

“The hand of God was upon me” .Ezra trusted that the Lord his God, the Almighty and Good; is faithful in His promises, merciful toward His believers, would turn the bitter events into sweetness for His people and believers, protect them under His divine hand; that no one can come near them without His divine permission. It is the book of opening the eyes of the believer, to perceive that he is not alone, but the hand of God is upon him, supports him, works by, and in him; and realises His goals for which He created him to do.

Ezra, the great scribe, the man of the Holy Book, lived, as though in the bosom of the Holy God; believed in the collective work through a pure people, Never enduring sin, he was serious in confronting it, to experience truly the deposit of heaven, by the holy life exultant in the Lord.

He was the brave man who worked with the spirit of humility, flatters nobody, even the high priest and all the leaders; at the expense of the holy life.