The fundamental lesson of confession and repentance in order to receive the freedom of forgiveness and the fulness of God's blessing was one that **Ezra** found himself teaching God's children. They had lapsed back into serious sin after returning from exile, but Ezra's wet eyes, bent knees, and broken heart caused God's people to begin a process of national repentance and revival. The way *up* to God's blessing is *down*!