Eza 7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. (ESV)
Here is a man that God used mightily to influence others. A number of people made the trek from Babylon to Jerusalem because Ezra was going. People will repent and make major changes in lifestyle because of his ministry. People want to be an influence for good in their community. In certain individuals there is a yearning to be the one standing up front teaching. But there is a necessary prerequisite to being a godly influence and to teaching. James warns us, "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment." (James 3:1)
So, if we want to teach, or if we simply want to be an influence for God in our families, our communities, or among our friends where do we begin? I think it is significant that before Ezra set his heart to teach he first set his heart to both know and do the Law of the Lord. Too often we divorce these things from one another. We find individuals who want to teach but aren't willing to do the hard work of study and practice first. Or, we find individuals who love to study and because they "learn" something they think they are ready to teach it, but they have never allowed the truths of scripture to actually change their attitudes and actions. Finally, there are those action oriented individuals who feel that deep study is a waste of time and energy. "Just do it" is their motto. Unfortunately when the focus is on doing without being we only communicate legalistic obedience. When the focus is on doing without understanding what the scriptures are accurately teaching we are likely to teach wrong, or even unbiblical behavior.
Ezra set his heart to study the Law of the Lord. If we want our lives to be an influence for God and for good then we must make sure that we are learning to handle God's Word accurately. If we want our lives to be an influence for God and for good then we must make sure that as we study, the things we are "learning" affect our lives first. God's Word must change what we think, feel and do first if we expect it to affect others for good. Finally, If we want our lives to be an influence for God and for good then we must be committed to not only do what God teaches us but to communicate it as God gives us opportunity.
Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. May that be true of us a well.
By His grace,
Rick Weinert
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