10 I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’

11 I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, and truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will surely do it.

— Isaiah 46:10-11

In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will

— Ephesians 1:11

For this is what the LORD says: “When Babylon’s seventy years are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place.

— Jeremiah 29:10

34b “For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation.

35 All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”

— Daniel 4:34b-35

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

The people of Judah had lived as exiles in Babylon for 70 years. Torn from everything familiar and with little control over their daily choices or destiny, they surely struggled to see God’s hand in their lives. But by this time, a once-foreign land had become ordinary to a new generation. A constantly changing tide of political rulers who did not honor God threatened to blur the unique identity of God’s chosen people.

However, the God of their ancestors was not finished. God had promised through His prophets to limit the exile to 70 years and restore Israel. That time had come. Only God could accomplish the promised restoration of His covenant people. The book of Ezra chronicles God’s multifaceted work to fulfill His promises. God activates every detail within His sovereign plan. He rules over everything, including what we cannot comprehend. God authors human history according to His purpose -to make Himself and His name known to nations through His chosen people Israelites.