A New Year’s Example for the Church of Jesus Christ
Text:
Ezra 7:10 (KJV) 10For 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 (Amplified Bible) 10For Ezra had prepared and set his heart to seek the Law of the Lord [to inquire for it and of it, to require and yearn for it], and to do and teach in Israel its statutes and its ordinances.
Introduction:
As we approach another New Year in a few days, many of us will continue a tradition that we have followed for hundreds of years. I am referring to the practice of making New Year’s resolutions. I am not going to tell you that whether or not you make New Year’s resolutions will have a spiritual impact of some sort on your life. Yet, whether or not you decide to make New Year’s resolutions, there is a powerful example for us to follow in the Biblical Character of Ezra. Many of you may argue that Ezra was a man who lived in a different era of time than you and I. That is true. Ezra did live somewhat differently than you and I do today. Nevertheless, let me remind you of this scripture. 2nd Timothy 3:16, 17 (KJV) declares the following: “16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine , for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness : 17 that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2nd Timothy 3:16, 17 (Amplified Bible) reads, “16Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), 17So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Having said that let me bring you up to date on the times of Ezra and the context surrounding our text of Ezra 7:10.
The Book of Ezra is named for the book’s principle character. This scribe rejuvenated the Law of Moses as the basis for Jewish religious and social life during the period of restoration following the Babylonian exile. The Book of Ezra details the history of the Jews’ return from Babylon captivity. It continues the story that 2nd Chronicles left unfinished. The first half of the book (chaps. 1-6) concerns the expedition ordered by King Cyrus (538 B.C.) to rebuild the temple under Sheshbazzar of Judah. The book continues the theme of temple and priesthood that was begun in Chronicles (Ezra 3:1-6, 10-11; 6:16-22). The importance of the Levites and priests to the community is evidenced by the careful cataloging, detailing, and listing of those who returned from Babylonian captivity (2:36-54, 61-62). The Levites supervised the rebuilding of the temple and were reorganized in time to officiate at the first Passover celebration (3:8-9; 6:16-20)
Priests and Levites were a major concern of Ezra’s administration (chaps. 7-10). Ezra was careful to include them among those returning from exile (7:7, 13, 24; 8:15-20, 24-34). Their sinful intermarriage with Gentiles provoked Ezra’s reforms (9:1-2). They were placed under oath (10:5), and the guilty were noted (10:18-24).
Ezra’s theological focus is how God accomplishes His will through different human agents. God restored His people by moving the pagan ruler Cyrus to release Judah (1:1-2) and by inciting the Jewish people to volunteer (1:5). The Cyrus Cylinder inscription gives the Persian account of Cyprus’s decree. It explains that the Babylonian god Marduk called him to release the exiles to return to their homelands. The Hebrew version of this decree applied to the Jews (2nd Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4). Biblical writers interpreted the decree as the act of God (Isaiah 45:1-3) in fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy (Jeremiah 25:11-12; 29:10). Cyrus and Darius even supplied necessary provisions for the temple (Ezra 1:7-11; 6:8-10). The Gentiles were perceived as coworkers in the building of the Jewish temple (6:22).
The LORD also was responsible for the success of Ezra’s expedition. Ezra was called and protected by the LORD’S “gracious hand” (7:9; 8:18, 22). God used the Persian government to enable Ezra to accomplish his task (7:27-28).
God accomplished His purposes through special spokespersons as well. The prophets Zechariah and Haggai delivered the message of God, which motivated the people to complete the temple (5:1-2; 6:14). Together pagan kings, godly leaders, common people, and prophets were the LORD’S hands and feet to do His building.
The book reflects the optimism of a restored Davidic throne, keeping the messianic hope alive. Sheshbazzar and Zerubbabel, who returned from exile to lead Judah, were descendants of Judah’s king Jehoiachin, who had been taken captive to Babylon. (Compare 1:8; 1st Chronicles 3:18-19 [Sheshbazzar = Shenazzar?]; and 2nd Chronicles 36:9-10). The prophecies of Zechariah and Haggai during this period depicted the messianic age by idealizing Zerubbabel and Jeshua as the new David and high priest Zadok (Ezra 3:8; 5:1-2; 6:14; Zech 3:1-4:14; 6:9-15; Hag 2:6-9; 3:23).
The second half of the book (chaps. 7-10) concerns Ezra’s ministry, which began fifty-eight years (458 B.C.) after the completion of the temple (515 B.C.). In the latter half of the book, the emphasis shifts to the Law of Moses. Ezra was commissioned to teach and establish the customs of Jewish law (7:11, 14, 25-26). Ezra was a learned scribe devoted to the law (7:6, 10-12). He led the people in a spiritual awakening that resulted in a covenant renewal (10:3).
The book also expresses the responsibility for human sin. The people of Ezra’s day had sinned by intermarrying with the Gentile populace (9:1-2; 10:1-44). Ezra’s intercession (9:6-15) and the people’s weeping confession (10:1-2) led to a renewal of covenant commitment to the LORD (10:3). The community felt the responsibility of those who had sinned and collectively dealt with the guilty, including their leaders (10:16-24).
Antagonism toward those building the temple was commonplace and official avenues were used to stop the work (4:1-24; 5:3-6:12). However, the author showed that God’s help enabled them to finish the work under His watchful eye in spite of opposition (5:5).
The people of God as the remnant of Israel are important to the theology of the restoration period. They are the remnant that escaped the wrath of God (9:8, 15). Therefore their company, though small in number (chap. 2), was significant because they were “all Israel” (8:25) who were regathered as the “holy race” (9:2).
Now that we have an accurate understanding of the events of Ezra’s lifetime let us concentrate on our text of Ezra 7:10 and examine what the Holy Ghost has revealed to us concerning the character of Ezra. There are four concepts that are reflected in the character of Ezra that we should allow to serve as a mighty example to us as we are about to embark on a New Year.
I. Ezra’s “purpose” - "For Ezra had prepared his heart… (v. 10)"
A. Our life’s “purpose.”
1. To serve God.
a. Joshua 24:14, 15 (KJV) reads, “14Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 15And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:14, 15 (Amplified Bible) states, “14Now therefore, [reverently] fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and in truth; put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the [Euphrates] River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.15And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
2. Seek God’s Kingdom.
a. 1st Chronicles 28:9 (KJV) reads, “9And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” 1st Chronicles 28:9 (Amplified Bible) says, “9And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father [have personal knowledge of Him, be acquainted with, and understand Him; appreciate, heed, and cherish Him] and serve Him with a blameless heart and a willing mind. For the Lord searches all hearts and minds and understands all the wanderings of the thoughts. If you seek Him [inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him as your first and vital necessity] you will find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever!”
b. Matthew 6:33 (KJV) reads, “33but seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 (Amplified Bible) declares, “33But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.”
3. Do God’s Will.
a. John 4:34 (KJV) reads, “34Jesus saith unto them, my meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work”. John 4:34 (Amplified Bible) says, “34Jesus said to them, My food (nourishment) is to do the will (pleasure) of Him who sent Me and to accomplish and completely finish His work.”
4. Finish the Divine task and completing the course joyfully.
a. Acts 20:24 (KJV) reads, “24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24 (Amplified Bible) states, “24But none of these things move me; neither do I esteem my life dear to myself, if only I may finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have obtained from [which was entrusted to me by] the Lord Jesus, faithfully to attest to the good news (Gospel) of God’s grace (His unmerited favor, spiritual blessing, and mercy).”
II. Ezra’s “pursuit ” - “…to seek the law of the LORD… (v. 10)"
A. Psalm 27:8 (KJV) says, “8When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” Psalm 27:8 (Amplified Bible) declares, “8You have said, Seek My face [inquire for and require My presence as your vital need]. My heart says to You, Your face (Your presence), Lord, will I seek, inquire for, and require [of necessity and on the authority of Your Word].”
B. Psalm 63:8 (KJV) reads, “8My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.”
C. Psalm 119:10 (KJV) says, “10With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.” Psalm 119:10 (Amplified Bible) declares, “10With my whole heart have I sought You, inquiring for and of You and yearning for You; Oh, let me not wander or step aside [either in ignorance or willfully] from Your commandments.”
III. Ezra’s “practice” - "... and to do it… (v.10)"
A. Obedience
1. 1st Samuel 15:22 (KJV) reads, “22And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 24And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.”
2. Revelation 22:12-15 (KJV) declares to us, “12 and, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 for without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” Revelation 22:12-15 (Amplified Bible) says, “12Behold, I am coming soon, and I shall bring My wages and rewards with Me, to repay and render to each one just what his own actions and his own work merit. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last (the Before all and the End of all). 14Blessed (happy and to be envied) are those who cleanse their garments, that they may have the authority and right to [approach] the tree of life and to enter through the gates into the city. 15[But] without are the dogs and those who practice sorceries (magic arts) and impurity [the lewd, adulterers] and the murderers and idolaters and everyone who loves and deals in falsehood (untruth, error, deception, cheating).”
IV. Ezra’s “proclamation”- "... and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. (v. 10)"
A. Make Disciples
1. Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV) states, “18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20 (Amplified Bible) declares, “18Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them] into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you [3] all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).
Conclusion:
It is possible that we can accomplish more for the Kingdom of God in the coming year of 2004 than we ever have accomplished in our lifetime. If we will decide to walk in the purpose that God has planned for our lives; if we will decide to pursue these purposes; practice these purposes that we are pursuing through obedience; then and only then can we proclaim the Truth of the Gospel and thereby make disciples of all nations and see the Kingdom of God flourish, multiply, and grow.
