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Ezra the Scribe

Ezra the Scribe • Ezra had a distinguished ancestry 1 -5) (vv. • Ezra was favored by Artaxerxes (v. 6) • Ezra was respected by the people (vv. 79; 8: 1 -36) • Ezra was a teacher of God’s law (v. 10)

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. Ezra 7: 10

Ezra the Prepared • Ezra “prepared (set) his heart” • He was “ready” (v. 6); he had an attitude of purpose, preparation, devotion, resolve, determination (Deut. 32: 46) • Great leaders first spent time in preparation: the Apostles

Ezra the Prepared • Let’s have teachers ready and prepared • Let’s have parents and children ready and prepared • “Prepared” (2 Tim. 2: 21) and “ready” (Tit. 3: 1) are much needed qualities today in the Lord’s church

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. Ezra 7: 10

Ezra the Student • Ezra prepared his heart “to seek the law of the Lord” • He had a desire to learn God’s law through study; he learned before he taught (“learned in the words”, v. 11) • Some versions use “studied”, “expert”, and “scholar” in v. 11

Ezra the Student • God’s priests are to seek (through study) the law (Mal. 2: 7) • Periods of learning and study are just as important as periods of teaching • Let’s avoid too extremes: not wanting to teach and not wanting to learn

Ezra the Student • Our teachers of tomorrow must be students today • Let’s all have a desire to continue to learn and study (Deut. 31: 9 -13; Prov. 1: 5; 9: 9)

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. Ezra 7: 10

Ezra the Doer • Ezra prepared his heart to seek the law and “to do it” • He wanted to apply and practice God’s word after learning it, and before teaching it to others (Mt. 23: 3; Jn. 13: 17; Acts 1: 1; Jas. 1: 22 -25)

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. Ezra 7: 10

Ezra the Teacher • Ezra prepared his heart to seek, to do, and “to teach in Israel” • He had an attitude of giving to teach God’s word to others (2 Tim. 2: 2) • Let’s be the Sea of Galilee (taking and giving), not the Dead Sea (taking only)

Ezra the Teacher • Ezra taught statutes and judgments; the focus was on God’s word; no additions, subtractions, or substitutions • Neh. 8: Ezra’s process was first examination, (read the text) then explanation (interpret the text), and followed by application (do to the text)

Ezra the Teacher • Some among God’s people didn’t know God’s law (7: 25), others knew it but didn’t obey it (9: 1 -2)

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. Ezra 7: 10

Ezra the Scribe • Preparation – “prepared his heart” • Examination – “to seek the law” • Application – “to do it” • Education – “to teach in Israel”