Study, Practice, and Teach
Ezra, the priest, is a model for all believers today. I say that because now all believers are priests before the Lord. We can all go directly to the Lord in prayer. His Spirit is in us to guide us in learning His Word, and He gives us the ability to teach what we learn to others. That is just what Ezra did in his day. (Ezra 7:10) However, Ezra did one more thing that is very important, too.
We need to set our hearts to study the law of the Lord as contained in the Old and New Testaments. It is not enough to just read the Word of God. We need to study it so that we understand the meaning as fully as possible. That is what Ezra did. Then, Ezra did what was so important. He practiced what he had learned. He put the Word of God into action in His life. If we do not do this, we will not receive any real benefit from the Word of God. Jesus made it clear that He will bless those who hear and practice His Word. Also, when we try to teach the Bible to others, they will not listen, if they do not see us practicing what we teach. Therefore, we must set our hearts to do all three, study, practice, and teach. Each believer is gifted to do this in different ways, but it is God's will for all believers. If all of us did this, the world would be a far better place.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezra 8-10 and Nehemiah 1.
We need to set our hearts to study the law of the Lord as contained in the Old and New Testaments. It is not enough to just read the Word of God. We need to study it so that we understand the meaning as fully as possible. That is what Ezra did. Then, Ezra did what was so important. He practiced what he had learned. He put the Word of God into action in His life. If we do not do this, we will not receive any real benefit from the Word of God. Jesus made it clear that He will bless those who hear and practice His Word. Also, when we try to teach the Bible to others, they will not listen, if they do not see us practicing what we teach. Therefore, we must set our hearts to do all three, study, practice, and teach. Each believer is gifted to do this in different ways, but it is God's will for all believers. If all of us did this, the world would be a far better place.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Ezra 8-10 and Nehemiah 1.