The Apple Doesn't Fall Far from the Tree

 

Now after this, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah, son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub, son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth, son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki, son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest— this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the LORD, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him. And there went up also to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king, some of the people of Israel, and some of the priests and Levites, the singers and gatekeepers, and the temple servants. And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. (Ezra 7:1–10 ESV).

 

"An apple doesn't fall far from the tree" is an idiom meaning a child often shares similar traits, behaviors, or characteristics with their parents, whether good or bad, much like an apple stays close to the tree it fell from. It suggests hereditary similarities in personality, talent, or even negative habits, often used to highlight a child's resemblance to a parent's qualities. In some cases, these similarities lead a child to follow in the career of their parents as well.

 

While that was not true for me or my children as far as a career was concerned, there can be no doubt that I have many of the same characteristics as my father; and my sons have many of mine. Some of those inherited traits are good, and some not so good!

 

In our reading today we see this truth confirmed in Ezra. He followed his father Seraiah in the family of priests. It was his family’s calling to lead God’s people into the presence of God. It was important that Ezra understood how he got into the family business. His line went back many generations to Aaron, the chief priest during the time of Moses. Ezra did not strike out on his own to become a priest between God and his people. He was born into the position. He was part of the long history of God’s faithfulness in providing holy leadership for a reconstituted people. God’s business was Ezra’s family business, and Ezra was employed by God alone.

 

As children of God, you and I are brought into the family of God by our high priest, Jesus Christ. The Bible reminds us, “We have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus, the Son of God” (Hebrews 4:14). We are born into the family business of blessing, mercy, forgiveness, and love. As God’s dearly loved children, our salvation is provided not because we are great people. It was God’s business to make salvation work. While we certainly are not “duplicates” of Jesus, we have been given the spiritual traits of this great heavenly priesthood. What a great privilege to follow in those steps!