Topical Bible: Blessing: Temporal Blessings, Prayer For: Ezra

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the context of the Bible, temporal blessings refer to the material and earthly benefits bestowed by God upon individuals or communities. These blessings can include prosperity, health, safety, and success in endeavors. The prayer for temporal blessings is a common theme throughout the Scriptures, reflecting the human desire for God's favor in the tangible aspects of life.

Ezra's Context and Role

Ezra, a scribe and priest, played a pivotal role in the post-exilic period of Israel's history. He was instrumental in the spiritual and physical restoration of Jerusalem and the Jewish people following their return from Babylonian captivity. Ezra's leadership was marked by a deep commitment to the Law of God and a fervent desire for the well-being of his people.

Ezra's Prayer for Temporal Blessings

Ezra's journey from Babylon to Jerusalem was fraught with potential dangers, and he sought God's protection and provision through prayer. In Ezra 8:21-23 , we find a significant instance of Ezra's prayer for temporal blessings:

"Then I proclaimed a fast there by the Ahava Canal, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. For I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, 'The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to Him, but His great anger is against all who forsake Him.' So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He granted our request."

In this passage, Ezra demonstrates a profound reliance on God for temporal blessings, specifically seeking safety and protection for the journey. His decision to fast and pray, rather than rely on human military support, underscores his faith in God's providence.

Theological Implications

Ezra's prayer highlights several key theological principles:

1. Dependence on God: Ezra's refusal to seek military aid from the king illustrates a deep trust in God's ability to provide and protect. This reflects a broader biblical theme that true security and prosperity come from God alone.

2. Humility and Repentance: The act of fasting and humbling oneself before God is a recurring biblical motif associated with seeking divine favor. Ezra's leadership in calling for a fast indicates a recognition of human limitations and a need for God's intervention.

3. God's Faithfulness: The narrative affirms God's faithfulness in responding to the prayers of His people. Ezra's successful journey to Jerusalem serves as a testament to God's willingness to grant temporal blessings to those who earnestly seek Him.

4. Witness to Others: By relying solely on God's protection, Ezra provided a powerful witness to the surrounding nations of God's power and faithfulness. His actions demonstrated that the God of Israel is a living and active presence in the world.

Application for Believers

Ezra's example encourages believers to seek God's guidance and provision in all aspects of life, trusting in His ability to bless and protect. It serves as a reminder that while temporal blessings are valuable, they are ultimately a means to glorify God and further His purposes on earth.

Nave's Topical Index

Ezra 8:21-23
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... of devils "goeth not out but by prayer and fasting ... return and repent, and leave a
blessing behind him ... Nor are they only temporal blessings which God directs his ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 27 upon our lords.htm

The Church of Christ
... through his sufferings and death, the temporal blessings which both ... sometimes will
be more of a blessing than a ... away, and forgot the old man's prayer; but it ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the church of christ.htm

"The House of Israel"
... evils that were robbing Israel of temporal prosperity and ... Every blessing comes from
His bountiful hand, and ... shutting from others the very blessings which God ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 59 the house of.htm

Of a Private Fast.
... Satan solicited; or to obtain some special blessing which he ... thee, and bestowed so
many sweet blessings in a ... in mercy to turn away his temporal judgments from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/i of a private fast.htm

The Prophet Joel.
... the want of which in the times after Ezra and Nehemiah ... the Covenant-people, and the
time of blessing upon them ... Hebrew: Hsil] only once, in the prayer of Solomon ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm

A Short Essay Toward the Improvement of Psalmody:
... of the Lamb; that is, a Song for temporal and for ... Praise that was his due of new
Blessings of Grace ... ordinary Assistance of his Spirit, and, a Blessing on their ...
/.../a short essay toward the improvement of psalmody/a short essay toward the.htm

Fifthly, as this Revelation, to the Judgment of Right and Sober ...
... be called an house of prayer for all ... with promises of particular intermediate blessings,
and proceeding ... be applied to the temporal blessing immediately spoken ...
/.../xiv proposition xiv fifthly as.htm

Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews.
... 2425]422; cleanses after sins, [2426]426, [2427]509; blessing of, [2428 ... See Temporal
things. ... ib.; we may not be impatient of, [3450]375; many blessings of, [3451 ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homilies on the epistle to.htm

Letter xx. Self-Examination.
... We are as dependent upon God's blessing now as his ... interests of his kingdom, can
we expect temporal prosperity? ... the hand of God in the daily blessings of this ...
/.../letter xx self-examination.htm

Huss and Jerome
... youth and invoked for him the blessing of their ... with hurling anathemas, they resorted
to temporal weapons ... procure this, the gifts, offices, and blessings of the ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 6 huss and jerome.htm