Meet Ezra the Scribe

Bible Reading: Ezra 7

We will return to our study on Jacob tomorrow. Today, I would like us to quickly consider something important about Ezra. Ezra, the Scribe was skillful in the knowledge of the Law of the Lord (Torah) to the extend that king Artaxerxes I [son of Ahasuerus (Xerxes)] king of Persia, sent him from Babylon to Jerusalem to teach the Israelites the Law of the Lord. There’s something spectacular about Ezra, it was his resolution. The Bible recorded that Ezra “set his heart” [AMP], “committed himself” [MSG], “determined to” [NLT], “prepared his heart” [KJV] to seek the Law of the Lord. Ezra could not have been able to teach God’s word effectively if he did not resolve to study God’s word in the first place. Ezra understood God’s instruction to Joshua, “This book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shall meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8). Notice that Ezra was not resolved to teach first, rather his resolution was first to study, interpret and practice (because you can’t give what you don’t have), before teaching it. There is something amazing about resolution— it starts and ends with you. There are examples of people in the Bible who resolved to do or not to do something. For instance, Joseph resolved not to commit adultery with Potiphar’s wife, Daniel proposed in his heart not to defile himself with the king’s meal etc. We have to resolve to study and live by God’s word. The psalmist says, “Thy word have I hid in my heart that I may not sin against Thee” (Psalm 119:11)

Also, there is a need to be doers of God’s word. We have many teachers and preachers today who do not live what they preach because their lifestyle contradicts the word of God. Dear friends, before you teach God’s word, allow it to dwell richly in you (Colossians 3:16), and live your life in resonance with God’s word. At the end, Ezra taught the Israelites the law of the Lord and through his lifestyle and his teaching, the people were restored to God.

Daily Confession: May I be a hearer and doer of God’s word

Intercessory Prayer: Pray for missionaries on the mission field for God’s protection and provision.

Hymn: Ancient Word, every true

Change in me, and change in you

We have come, with open heart

O let the Ancient Word impact.