Ezra 8: Practical Spirituality
IT'S DARK, AND you are in a part of town that is known to be dangerous. Unfortunately, you and those with you have to travel on foot to your destination. You naturally turn to prayer. This was the situation Ezra found himself in. And the pressure was on because he had bragged that God would protect those "who look to him." Now he had to put his life where his mouth was.
Warming Up to God
We typically turn to God in crisis and sometimes forget to rely on him in daily life. In what part of your life should you particularly be looking to God for guidance? Spend some time in quiet with the Lord.
Read Ezra 8. »
Discovering the Word
- Notice those mentioned in verses 1-14. What would it have been like for Ezra as the leader to gather all these people together (v. 15)?
- Ezra sees that among those who are returning there are no Levites to assist in the day-to-day routine of the temple, so what does he do (vv. 15-20)?
- What steps does Ezra take to prepare for the journey (vv. 21-30)?
- What would be the benefit of weighing out (and weighing in) the articles given into his trust (vv. 24-26, 33-34)?
- How did Ezra and the people respond to God after safely returning to Israel (vv. 35-36)?
- Sometimes "being spiritual" is seen as better than "being practical." In what ways do you see both in Ezra?
Applying the Word
- How can practical accountability safeguards (like weighing the gifts in vv. 24-34) protect the reputation of Christ's church and its leaders?
- In what ways are you torn between being spiritual and being practical?
Responding in Prayer
Ask God to help you see that being practical can be spiritual and that being spiritual can be practical. Pray that you will grow in both areas.
For Further Study
Down-to-Earth Spirituality by R. Paul Stevens