JESUS CHRIST and HOLY SPIRIT in Ezra

JESUS CHRIST in Ezra

Ezra himself foreshadows Christ by the life he lives and the roles he fulfills. Three particulars stand out:

1) As one who “had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it” (7:10), Ezra reminds us of Christ’s description of Himself as the One who ardently obeys the Father (John 5:19).

2) As “the priest” (7:11), Ezra foreshadows Christ’s role as the “great High Priest” (Heb. 4:14).

3) As the great spiritual reformer who calls Israel to repentance (ch. 10), Ezra typifies Christ’s messianic role as the reshaper of Israel’s spiritual perspectives, including a call away from dead traditionalism and moral impurity (Matt. 11:20–24; 23).

HOLY SPIRIT in Ezra

The working of the Holy Spirit in Ezra is clearly seen in the providential moving of God to fulfill His promises. This is indicated by the phrase “the hand of the LORD,” which occurs six times.

It would have been by His Spirit that “the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus” (1:1) and “turned the heart of the king of Assyria” (6:22). It would also have been by the Holy Spirit that “Haggai and Zechariah . . . prophesied to the Jews” (5:1).

The work of the Holy Spirit is clearly seen in Ezra’s personal life, both in terms of working in him, “Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD” (7:10), and on his behalf, “the king granted him all his request” (7:6).