July 31, 2026

For 70 years the people of Judah were scattered throughout Babylon and surrounded by heathen doctrine. In meeting scattered and separated from each other as a whole, and through the influence of other religions, it was impossible for most to keep a remembrance of the word of God. Despite this, many Jews at least remembered who they were, and when Cyrus granted them leave to return to Jerusalem, they took it (not all, but those who remembered).

This explains the absolute joy expressed in Nehemiah 8 that the people experience when the law once again reaches their ears and teachers help them to understand. After 70 years of spiritual famine they were finally able to feast on the words of Christ, Jehovah.

Ultimately, this was because of God. However, God often works through His children to accomplish the ends of His design. But in order for God to work through us, we must be ready.

The name Ezra means "helper" or even "God helps" (it shares the same root "azar" or help as eben-ezer). We know that he was a "ready scribe" because he had "prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments". He put effort into preparation, and aligned his heart with God's will, so he could help God's children. And the result was "great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them ... And there was very great gladness."

As we prepare ourselves and make ourselves ready to be a help to others, God will open the way for us to serve and bring joy by leading His children to know Him. "And men are that they might have joy".

The chorus to one of Neil Diamond's famous songs reads:

I am... I said

To no one there

And no one heard at all

Not even the chair

I am... I cried

I am... said I

And I am lost and I can't

Even say why

Leavin' me lonely still

On the surface, this is a deeply sad song about a man reaching to affirm his existence and worth while in a state of depression. So many can relate to this among the loneliness epidemic and plague of mental illness afflicting our day.

On a deeper level, and considering Neil's Jewish background, I wonder if there is greater meaning in this plea of a song. If we change "I am" to "I AM", how does it read?

Jehovah... I saidTo no one thereAnd no one heard at allNot even the chairJehovah... I criedJehovah... said IAnd I am lost and I can'tEven say whyLeavin' me lonely still

In the face and depth of this plea to God, that so many have spoken and cried in all ages, I testify that our Savior IS there. He hears us. He loves us. He gave everything to us. As heart breaking as it is for someone to feel lonely and separated from God, or Savior and our Heavenly Father feel a magnitude if sorrow multiplied beyond what we can imagine for that individual. He lives. They live. And they love infinitely. I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.