Scripture refers to Ezra, a leader of God’s covenant people, as both a priest and a scribe. What is a priest? A priest is one who stands before God to minister. In doing so, the priest assumes a mediatorial role. He represents the people before God and he represents God to the people.

Ezra’s ministry took place during the period after the fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity of Judah. Ezra was a leader of the second major group to return to the ruined city in 458 bc. By the time he arrived, the temple had been rebuilt, but much of the work of reconstruction of the city remained. Those already living there had arrived with Zerubbabel in 538 bc, 80 years prior. By the time Ezra arrived with his troupe of 2,000, the only life the residents of Jerusalem knew was life in the partially rebuilt city. They had no memory of the shame of captivity and certainly no memory of the prior glory of the city.

Apparently they also forgot something else that was central to their identity as a covenant people. Soon after he arrived, Ezra was informed the people had not kept themselves pure. Their lifestyles had begun to resemble the pagan peoples around them. They had begun to intermarry with those among whom they lived. Worst of all, the priests, Levites, and other officials “led the way in this unfaithfulness” (Ezra 9:2). Ezra was appalled and sat in sad speechlessness all day long when he learned of their sin.

Finally, in his grief, Ezra knelt and prayed to God. As a true priest, he began his prayer by speaking of his personal grief, but soon slipped into the language of “we” and “our,” expressing the corporate culpability of the people and recognizing the grace of God.

Others heard Ezra’s prayer. His willingness to represent the people before God led them to true repentance, in which they determined to put an end to their foreign marriages. The resulting revival identified 113 people guilty of this sin, a relatively small number among the tens of thousands in the land. Nevertheless, if left unchecked, the consequences could have been devastating.

In Christ’s church, we do not have the Levitical priesthood of the old covenant. We live as a people under a new covenant in Christ’s blood. In this covenant, all believers in Christ are a “chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God” (1 Peter 2:9).

Could add “Questions for Discussion” except that this is the only place he has questions.

What does it mean for us to be priests for the people of God? Can we model ourselves after the priesthood of Ezra? How do we successfully represent God to our brothers and sisters and our brothers and sisters before God?

Priests speak boldly on behalf of God.
Ezra did not allow his mind to be corrupted by the behavior of those around him. Rather, he saw things through God’s eyes. He judged, as he knew God would judge, and called his brothers and sisters to return to obedience to the commands of God. We must not be afraid to call one another to holy living. Others were aware of the problem, but only Ezra was willing to confront the issue.

Even though we live in a culture of toleration that refuses moral absolutes, Christians are to live differently and to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24). Our appeal to our fellow Christ followers should never be out of pride, but should spring from deep sorrow, like Ezra’s. “My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins” (James 5:19, 20).

One bold individual might have the kind of influence Ezra had on the people of Jerusalem.

Priests pray fervently on behalf of the people.
When Ezra saw the sinful state of the nation, he interceded with God for them. Certainly the people had broken their covenant with God, but Ezra appealed to God’s righteousness and his faithfulness to the remnant of the covenant people. Even though only a small number sinned by taking foreign wives, notice that Ezra prayed, “Not one of us can stand in your presence” (Ezra 9:15). He identified with the people and pleaded with God for them.

Paul told the Ephesian believers, “Be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18). We never know what our prayers for one another might accomplish.