"Memoirs of the Way Home": A Review

This is my review of Memoirs of the Way Home: Ezra & Nehemiah as a Call to Conversion by Gerald Bilkes:

On the Amazon website I gave this book only 3 stars out of a possible five. However, upon reflection,  I think my relatively low rating is more a result of perhaps unrealistic expectations on my part, rather than any fault in the book itself.

This book is a Bible study on the Old Testament books of Ezra and Nehemiah, which tell the story of the return of the Jewish people from Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of the Temple and the City of Jerusalem. I have long been a fan of those books, having found much inspiration in them. In fact, I've long considered Ezra 7:10 to be my "life verse," a description of how I see God working in my life. Therefore, I was excited when I saw Cross Focused Reviews offering this work for bloggers to read and review.

I have two positive comments about this book, and one disappointing negative one.

1), This is a good basic introduction to two important, but relatively little known, books of the Bible, The author more than adequately covers and explains the historical situation and events involved the the return from exile. Reading this book, in conjunction with the two Biblical texts, will give someone unfamiliar with this period of history good introduction that will help you get much more from your reading of the Scripture texts.

2.) The author does a good job in drawing spiritual lessons from the lives of Ezra and Nehemiah, lessons on leadership, ministry, character growth and faithfulness to the Lord. Learning these things can help any believer, and especially those serving in leadership roles. He also highlights the typology of the books, bringing out the fulfillment of their themes in the ministry of Christ, at least for the typology relating to the spiritual life of individual believers. Which brings me to my negative comment.

3). I started  this book hoping for and expecting a placement of these stories in the big picture, the overall salvation history of the Bible. I wanted to explore how these characters and stories fit into the overall arc of the Bible, the Eden to Jesus to Kingdom of God arc, the promise to Abraham to fulfillment by the Seed of Abraham (Jesus) story. I was expecting the author to explore how the themes of exodus, promised land, exile and restoration reverberate through out the Bible. I wanted him to interact with recent scholarship on these subjects.  None of this is in this book. I was probably wrong to expect it, but I was disappointed, hence the low 3 star rating.

For what he sets out to do, as expressed in the sub-title, the author does a good job. If you read the book with that expectation, I think you will be pleased. My expectations were higher and broader, and I therefore felt let down. You should know what you are getting before purchasing and reading this book.

(Note- I received a free copy of this book for review purposes from Cross-Focused Reviews. See my book review policy)

The Ezra Call (Part Four)

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. Here are links to Parts One and Two and Three.

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The third part of Ezra's call was to teach the Word.

In 1st Corinthians 12:9, Paul asked the rhetorical question “are all teachers?” In context, the obvious answer is no. Everyone does not have the spiritual gift of teaching or hold the office of teacher. If this is so, then of what relevance to those not called to be teachers is Ezra’s commitment to teach the Word?

I have found it helpful to draw a parallel to the ministry and office of evangelist. All believers are not called to the office of evangelist. All Christians do not have the ministry of and evangelist. Yet all are called to evangelize within the sphere of influence God has given us; our families, friends, neighbors and co-workers.

In a similar manner, we can see that all of us are called to teach. All believers are not called to the office of a teacher. All Christians do not have the ministry of teaching. Yet all of us are called to teach within the sphere of influence God has given us; our families, friends, neighbors and co-workers. Parents need to be able to teach their children (Deut. 6:4-9). Husbands need to be able to teach their wives (Eph. 5:26, 28). All of us must be ready to give an answer as to what and why we believe (1 Peter 3:15). There is someone who is looking to you for answers.

Every believer can and should be able to disciple a new believer, if only his or her own children, in the basics of the Christian faith and life. You need to know how to lead someone to salvation, to teach them about baptism, and to guide them into being filled with and walking in the power of the Spirit. You will never be able to do this for others unless you understand the Scriptures yourself (“To Know”) and have experienced these foundations for yourself (“To Do”). Only then can you convey these truths to others (“To Teach”). This is what the author of Hebrews was referring to when he complained to his readers that they should be ready to teach, but still needed the basic milk of the Word (Hebrews 5:11-14).

So my question to you is: Will you accept an Ezra call? Are you willing to pay any price to be a person who , knows, does and teaches the Bible with both accuracy and passion? I think that is a calling He is wanting all of us to seek.

The Ezra Call (Part Three)

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. Here are links to Parts One and Two.

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The second part of Ezra;s call was to not just know but also do the Word. Ezra determined from the beginning to obey every command of God he found in the Scriptures. He was on guard against the greatest temptation of a Bible teacher: the tendency to look for words to teach others, while never hearing the word for yourself.

James used the illustration of someone who looks at his reflection in a mirror, sees all his grooming deficiencies, but then walks away without combing his hair or washing his face (James 1:22-25). This foolish person learns the truth about himself, but does nothing, and forgets the truth he has learned. In the same way, if we learn truth about our condition from the Scriptures, but take no action, we will fall back from the level of truth to which we have risen. He who is not faithful in little, will lose the little he has gained. Is it any wonder that James also says that not many should be teachers, because those who teach will be held to a higher standard (James 3:1)?

Knowledge of the Scriptures can never be an end in itself. It is a necessary prerequisite, but not sufficient alone. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for thinking that memorization and study of the Law sufficed and substituted for personal knowledge of God. “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” (John 5:39-40 ESV). Knowledge of the Word is a means to greater ends: obedience to God and the knowledge of the Holy One.

Always remember that belief and obedience are inseparable, and that we are called to the “obedience that comes from faith” (Romans 1:5, 16:26). The good soil in Jesus’ parable of the Sower represented the listeners who “hear the message and retain it in a good and obedient heart, and they persist until they bear fruit” (Luke 8:15 GNB).

(Part Four will post tomorrow)

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)

The Ezra Call (Part One)

One of my favorite Bible passages, and one I have long considered my “life verse,” is Ezra 7:10. Ezra dedicated his life "o 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. First, some historical background.
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The story of Ezra occurs about eighty years after the first return of Jewish refuges from Babylon under Zerubbabel in 536 BC. Between that time and Ezra’s ministry, Haggai and Zechariah had led in the rebuilding of the temple, and Esther had saved her people in Babylon from massacre. All of the Jews had not yet returned to Jerusalem, and many never would. In 458 BC, Ezra the Scribe led a group of Jews back to the land of Israel. This was the same general time period as Nehemiah’s rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Ezra’s story can be found in the Book of Ezra, Chapters 7-19 and Nehemiah 7:73-9:37.

Nehemiah and Ezra found a discouraged and spiritually lax community in Jerusalem. They needed a social reconstruction and a rebuilding of confidence (Nehemiah’s ministry) but even more they needed the knowledge of the Law of God, the Scriptures, to rebuild their lives and their society (Ezra’s ministry). Just as Nehemiah rebuilt the physical walls of Jerusalem, Ezra rebuilt their spiritual walls.

Ezra gathered the people of Jerusalem and read to them the Law of God. Together with his disciples, he taught them the meaning of the Scriptures being read (Neh. 8:104, 7-8). By doing so he called them to repentance and a return to their national roots. The people of Jerusalem responded to Ezra’s ministry (Neh. 9:1-3). For a fragile community, vulnerable to backsliding and assimilation, God’s word became their salvation. Through the work of Ezra, they became forever a “people of the Book.” This, and only this, could ensure their national survival.

What made Ezra’s ministry successful? What enabled him to lead a national reformation, and to see a great revival? Only one thing was sufficient. Ezra had prepared himself beforehand for the work God had given him. “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.” (Ezra 7:10 ESV). He had prepared his heart in three ways. First, he sought with all his heart to know the Scriptures; to be thoroughly acquainted with their content and message. Second, he sought to be obedient to what he learned, to be both a hearer and a doer. Third, he sought to be effective in communicating what he had learned within the sphere of influence given him by God.

In many ways American Christians today are like Israel in Ezra’s day. We too have been morally lax. We also face the temptation to sink to the lowest levels of the society surrounding us. We need our inner walls rebuilt, as surely as Jerusalem needed its physical walls restored. If we want to see perhaps we would do well to heed the example of Ezra, and to make the same threefold commitment he made. This is what I mean by the “Ezra Call;” a challenge to the church to be knowers, doers and teachers of the Word of God.

(Part Two will post tomorrow)