Saturday, January 3, 2009

The Ezra Call (Part Two)

One of my favorite Bible passages, and one I have long considered my “life verse,” is Ezra 7:10. Ezra dedicated his life "to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel." In this article I am putting forth a challenge to you, my reader, to accept an Ezra call on your life.

For Part One look here.
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The first part of Ezra's life call was a commitment to know the Bible.

From the very beginning, the necessity to learn and know the Law of God had been held before the people of Israel. “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart” (Deut. 6:9 ESV). Joshua know it to be the key to his success and to the prosperity of his life’s work. “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8 ESV) The Psalmist knew that hiding the Word in his heart was the way to wisdom (Ps. 119:99-100) and right living (Ps. 119:9-11, 105), and he found great joy in God’s Word (Ps. 119:92,111).

As Paul neared the end of his life, facing a perhaps imminent martyrdom, he felt it necessary and urgent to remind his younger protege, Timothy, of this same truth (2 Tim. 2:15, 3:15-17). Timothy had come to salvation through the knowledge of the Bible, and could only be equipped for success in his life by growing in that knowledge. Paul encouraged him to learn the Word so as to be fully equipped and prepared for life and service.

When Eve was tempted in the garden, Satan began by asking her “has God really said...?” The Devil began by questioning the Word of God. When Jesus was tempted, he responded by standing on the Word; “It is written....” Jesus succeeded where Adam and Eve had failed. But what if he had not known the Scriptures?

In every city where he founded a church, Paul was committed to proclaim “the whole counsel of God.” (Acts 20:27). We need to be equally as dedicated that we each as individuals become grounded in God’s whole counsel, the Holy Scriptures.

(Part Three will post tomorrow)

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