For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay

— Habakkuk 2:3

21 Then all your people will be righteous; they will possess the land forever; they are the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, so that I may be glorified.

22 The least of you will become a thousand, and the smallest a mighty nation. I am the LORD; in its time I will accomplish it quickly.

— Isaiah 60:21-22

You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show her favor—the appointed time has come.

— Psalm 102:13

1 To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:

11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end.

— Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11

The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

— 2 Peter 3:9

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

The book of Ezra marks the end of Israel’s 70-year exile. Ezra covers the first two of the three groups of Israelites that returned to rebuild and repopulate their homeland. A priest and scribe from the line of Aaron, Ezra held God’s Word, Israel’s worship, and the Jerusalem temple in high regard. Ezra’s leadership is recorded in the second half of his book. He brought the second group of returning exiles home and oversaw their efforts to restore God-honoring worship among God’s people.

God orchestrated the timely fulfillment of His promises. He moved the heart of Persia’s King Cyrus to enable the first 50,000 returnees led by Zerubbabel. God guided individuals, families, priests, and leaders to abandon their familiar lives in Babylon, travel to a decimated homeland, and take on difficult work. God supplied the needs of His called travelers by moving their neighbors and even the king toward giving riches the Israelites would need to complete their task. The details in this book demonstrate God’s faithfulness to His Word and His sovereignty over all people, including those who do not recognize His divine hand.