Ezra 7:10 - Study, Practice, Teach

Ezra 7:10 (ESV)

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.

God’s scriptures are important. Ezra set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, do it, and teach it. The study of the Word is not just for the professional priest, preacher, or evangelist. 2 Corinthians 5:18 calls all believers “ministers of reconciliation.” It doesn’t matter whether we are bankers, teachers, plumbers, carpenters, the CEO of a multi-national corporation, or unemployed. If we are believers in Jesus Christ then we are his representatives to a broken world. We are ministers of reconciliation. As ministers of reconciliation, we need to be in the Word of God and the Word of God needs to be in us.

 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that all scripture is God breathed. As God-breathed writings, believers are called to be diligent, handling accurately (rightly dividing) the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15). The Scriptures are “alive and powerful. [They are] sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. [The Scriptures expose] our innermost thoughts and desires.” Romans 12:2 instructs us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. It is the scriptures that renew our mind. Ephesians 5:26 tells us that God sanctifies and cleanses us, his church, “by the washing of water with the word.” As believers, we ought to learn to handle God’s word accurately.

This is not just for professionals. This is not just for seminary professors and preachers. This is for every believer. The model of Ezra, who studied the Word, practiced the Word, and taught the Word, is a model for every believer. Have you been in the Word today? Is the Word in you?