這位名叫「以斯拉」的重要角色遲遲到了第七章才出現！前六章都在敘述所羅巴伯的生平及重建聖殿的事工，而七到十章則是介紹祭司以斯拉，蒙上帝重用重塑百姓的屬靈生命，以斯拉開始他的任務是在第六章事件之後的五十八年，百姓已擁有上帝的殿宇，卻不肯聽上帝的話，以斯拉深知復興必須從全國歸主開始，帶著波斯王亞達薛西的支持，以斯拉率領一千七百五十三位同胞，橫跨九百英哩的險境回到耶路撒冷！

        你還記得你的第一位主日學老師嗎？你目前是主日學老師嗎？或者你希望成為一位教導上帝話語的人？
        那些獻身教導聖經的人都必須接受一個重大的責任。根據以斯拉記七章十節，他們以四種方式接受責任：一、「預備」心志，熱誠服事。二、「尋求」上帝的旨意。三、「實現」他們所發現的。四、「教導」他們所學到的。聖經教導並不只是課堂上的講述，而是從一個順服主的生命向另一個生命的流露。
        想想看過去一年中，有沒有一位老師的尋求、實行和教導上帝的話語上，曾使你的靈命增長？今天何妨寫一張小卡片，打一通電話，或以一個禮物表達你的尊敬與謝意？（在裡面寫上「提前5：17」也是個好方法！）用一點時間背頌描述以斯拉生平的經文，並求上帝使你也能過那樣的生活。

        「萬王之王」的起源
        我們時常讀或唱到「萬王之王」，這個詞最初是用來描述亞述帝國的君王，因為他們征服了許多國家。後來，巴比倫和波斯帝國建立時也借用此稱呼（結26：7；但2：37）。

最好的老師，是一位以身作則的人。

English

        A striking feature of the Book of Ezra is that the name "Ezra" does not appear until chapter 7! The first six chapters chronicle the life and ministry of Zerubbabel in rebuilding the temple; now chapters 7-10 introduce a priest named Ezra whom God uses to rebuild the spiritual condition of the people. Ezra begins his task 58 years after the events of chapter 6. The people have a house for God, but not a heart for God. Ezra realizes revival must begin with a national return to the statutes and judgments of God as con¬tained in the Mosaic law. With the support of the Persian King Artaxerxes, Ezra sets out with 1,753 of his countrymen to cover the 900 dangerous miles back to Jerusalem.

        Do you remember your first Sunday school teacher? Are you currently, or do you ever hope to become, a teacher of God's Word?
        Those who devote themselves to the teaching of Scripture have accepted a staggering responsibility. According to Ezra 7:10 they are accountable in four ways: (1) They are to "prepare" their hearts for obedient service, (2) to "seek" the meaning of God's Word, (3) to "do" what they discover, and (4) to "teach" what they have learned. Far from being merely a classroom lecture, true Bible teaching is the overflow of one obedient life into the life of another.
        Think of one teacher who has contributed to your spiritual growth over the past year by seeking, doing, and teaching God's Word. How can you honor that person today with a note, phone call, or special gift? (That's one good way to put 1 Timothy 5:17 to work!)

        The Etymology of "King of kings"
        The words "king of kings," which we often read and sing, were originally used to describe Assyrian kings. The title aptly described them, for they had conquered many nations. Later, the Babylonian and Persian kings borrowed it when they had built their own empires (Ezekiel 26:7; Daniel 2:37).

As a general rule, teachers teach more by what they are than by what they say.