11/21 Ezra’s Example

Ezra was a priest and scribe of Israel after the return from Babylonian captivity. He is indeed one of the great and godly men in the Bible. His prayer in chapter 9 of his book is one of the most magnificent in Scripture and worthy of deep study.

But it is Ezra 7:10 that I wish to briefly analyze in this post for it tells us why he was such an example for us: “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.” Let me break this down.

“Ezra had prepared..”. Spiritual growth does not happen automatically. One doesn’t just jump into it and start maturing. Understanding what is involved, and what is not, is essential to godly living. Meditating on the law of the Lord (Psalm 1:2) will go a long way in preparing us for service to God.

“Ezra had prepared his heart...” In Scripture, the heart, as often as not, refers not to that organ that pumps blood, but to the will and intellect. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). Ezra made up his mind he was going to serve the Lord. He made a conscious decision to set aside sin and live a godly, righteous life. Again, it was no accident. He didn’t “stumble” into salvation. The intellect and the will are involved, every bit as much as the emotions.

“Ezra had prepared his heart to seek…” Effort is involved. Anything of value is worth time and dedication. “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). It isn’t surprising that finding the Lord is after a search with all our heart. And it isn’t surprising that “heart” and “seek” are both in Ezra 7:10.

“Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord…” A lot of people search for a lot of things, most of them worldly and valueless. Ezra knew the treasures found in God’s word and that’s what he wanted. What are YOU searching for?

“Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord and to do it…” It doesn’t do much good to know wisdom if one is not going to act upon it. Ezra wanted an intimate acquaintance with the law of God so that he could live by it. Study is necessary (II Timothy 2:15), and without it, we can never learn what God wishes of us. But unless we are willing to apply what we learn, all the study in the world will avail us nothing.

“Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.” Don’t hog what you know. Understanding God’s word and doing it are wonderful things. Helping others to know and do simply fulfills our relationship and duty to the Almighty.

It’s pretty obvious, from this verse, why God chose Ezra to author at least one book in His divine message to man.