Many leaders, authors, doctors, and yes Bible teachers have written much and said more about how change happens. A quick glance at my library reveals nearly a dozen titles with the word change in the title, but at some level nearly every book in my library addresses change. But only one book in my library is always authoritative. The O.T. book of Ezra contains a provocative clue about what can provoke real change.

Ezra enters the story that bears his name seven chapters into the book. Ezra was a priest exiled in Babylon. He is introduced in the text and his genealogy is listed all the way back to chief priest Aaron. Ezra was a scribe “skilled in the Law of Moses” It’s worth noting that his study of scripture is what provoked him to act. I say this because immediately after mentioning his skill in he law of Moses, it speaks of his petition to king Artaxerxes for permission to make the 500 mile or so journey to Jerusalem. Also verse 10 further hints at this cause and effect. The journey took five months. This is described in verses 8-9. Then there is this verse, that if I’m really paying attention when I read always stirs me. It’s very simple but here is verse 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.” This captures what God has called me to do specifically but all believers generally. Let me explain:

1. He set his heart to study the Law of the Lord. This was not simply an academic exercise. I greatly value education, but academics can become an end in themselves without the final two points.
2. He set his heart to do the Law of the Lord. Ezra’s study provoked him to leave what had become the status quo for him. Perhaps it wasn’t ideal, but he had lived in Babylon for some time. He could have just decided he wanted to stay there and live out his days. Instead, his study of scripture stirred up his heart so that it provoked him to undertake an enormous project not just for him but to organize many other people to go with him. My study of the scripture is about the only thing that will prod me to have the desire to do anything more than serve myself. Mere reading of scripture doesn’t seem to have this affect on me. I don’t know if this is just me. But it’s when I study, when I stick with the text long enough to ask questions and to write observations that stirs me up to act.
3. He set his heart to teach his statues and rules in Israel. There is a special sense in which Ezra was called to do this and in which I am called to do this and I am grateful for it. When I study, I do find myself compelled to share it in some way and when I am writing up something like this to share, I always have he sense the I am doing what God has called me to do. But there is a sense that every believer has this responsibility. Ezra was a priest, but in Christ we are all priests. More explicit however, that every believer is to do this work, even if it is never more than a one on one experience is in Colossians 3:16: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

This instruction to let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonish one another in all wisdom . . .  Is clearly to all believers. I pray this stirs you as it stirs me to study, obey, and teach.

Sunday at Bethany Place Ben Haygood will preach from a really important O.T. text, Micah 6 in a message titled, What Does God Want? Also, we will have a special “guest” helping us in worship you don’t want to miss.

-Gene Cornett