Needed: More Ezras
Ponder: Seeking, doing, and teaching the word of God.
Scripture: “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10, NKJV).
Over 2400 years ago, Ezra emerged as a leader among the Jews. Being both a scribe and a priest (Ezra 7:11), serving the Lord was no mere ritual to him. He had prepared his heart to seek, do, and teach God’s law.
Some today mistakenly claim that the Mosaic Law required only outward obedience. Ezra knew better! God has never been pleased with anything less than a totally devoted heart. Ezra’s heart was set on three things:
1. “To seek the Law of the Lord.” “Seek” connotes investigating, researching, and scrutinizing the facts of a case. Ezra delved into the Scriptures in a diligent effort to learn the truth. Hurriedly browsing a chapter or two just before falling asleep each night would never have satisfied him.
2. “And to do it.” What good is learning without doing? “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). Obedience to God’s word made Ezra a good example, thereby enhancing his effectiveness as a teacher. This leads to the last point . . .
3. “And to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.” Long years earlier, Israel’s priests had failed to teach the people, resulting in apostasy and captivity. Now the Jews had been back in their homeland about 80 years. Ezra was determined to do his part in preventing a repeat performance!
Who, today, will prepare his heart to seek God’s word, do it, and teach it to others? Every Christian is a priest, and ought to be a diligent student of the Scriptures. We must not merely call Jesus “Lord,” but do what He says (Luke 6:46). That certainly includes teaching our neighbors and “mak(ing) disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19). May God help us to be more like Ezra!
Song: “I Want To Be A Worker For The Lord”
Prayer: Father, Your word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Bless us, we pray, as we diligently study it, strive to live by it, and endeavor to teach others to do likewise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Joe Slater (Justin, TX)
jaslater1954@google.com