A friend of mine by the name of Tim Stockdale handed me a slip of paper at church one day. He said he felt led by the Lord to give it to me. There was a slight tear in his eye as he handed it to me and I read it. Tim said he didn't know for sure why he was to give it to me or what it exactly meant for me, but he just knew he was to get it in my hand. This took place probably at least 18 months ago. I've held on to that piece of paper to this very day. It reads, "Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to practice it, and to teach HIS statutes and ordinances in Isreal." I've kept it in my bible and read it repeatedly over this time. I never really studied it or meditated on it until this weekend. It kept popping up in different things I was reading and studying. It is as if God was trying to remind me and show me something in this perticular verse.
As I began to study and dig into what it was saying to me it really challenged me. Obviously there are 3 things that Ezra set his heart on doing. Studying, doing, and teaching God's word. I also notice the order in which he does them. He doesn't just study and then teach. He studies it, then applies it, and then finally teaches it. Tough stuff if you ask me. How many times do I want to learn it and then teach or tell somebody about it without ever applying it to my own life? The logic of this verse makes so much sense but the order of things makes it impeccable.
It all starts with studying. Before we can do what God wants us to do or inform others of God's will and desires for our lives, we first must know what God actually wants. That requires us to study God's Word. Obviously Ezra was committed to studying. In verse 6 it states, ..."he was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses." He came from a long line of priests including Aaron the chief priest. As a scribe in that day he no doubt had large portions of sripture memorized. How much time do I dedicate to learning, studying and memorizing scripture. I can read a chapter of the Bible and check it off my list for the day but did I learn it? Will I retain it? Do I have a deeper understanding of it? Did it develop a more intimate relationship with God?
It certainly doesn't end there. As difficult as studying can be, applying what we study is a whole new level of difficulty. For Ezra this meant living by the law. The ten commandments, loving God with all your heart, soul, and strength. Ezra committed his heart to doing these things. Wow! I think of all that I've studied, learned and know but fail to apply. Loving and praying for my enemies? Loving my wife as God loves the church? Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouth? Do everything without complaining or arguing? OUCH! Thank you Lord for grace! But we should never stop learning and never stop being transformed to a image that mirrors our Savior. Never be content with what we have accomplished. Where is God challenging you personally in the act of obedience?
Ezra did not start as a teacher. He became one. It is so tempting for me to learn and study and then immediately want to share it with others. I have noticed the results aren't near as profound as when I allow what I have learned to transform my life first. It is like it goes from my mind to my mouth without going through my heart. The real power seems to come from God's hand in our lives. From the work of the Holy Spirit in the transformation of our hearts lived out in our lives.
Ezra didn't do it on his own. It is repeated in verses 6, 9 and 28, that the hand of the Lord his God was on him.
Thank you Tim for your passion to study God's Word, to apply it in your life, and share it with me. Your obedience then is being used today to challange, inspire and create dreams that will transform my life.
It is my prayer God could write something similar about me. That He set my heart to study the gospel of Jesus Christ, to live in the power of His death and resurrection and then to preach the cross and empty tomb to others.
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