Sabbath Thought - Prepare Your Heart

I am passing along a message sent out by my good friend and fellow elder, Ken Skorseth:

Sometimes while reading the Bible, a certain scripture will jump out at you and have great impact even though the words may seem simple and somewhat insignificant at first. One such scripture recently caught my attention. This verse is Ezra 7:10. This account is recorded during the time in which Ezra was sent by the Persian king, Artaxerxes, to lead a band of exiles back to Jerusalem. This was during the time in which the restoration of the temple and the walls of Jerusalem was taking place. What is important about this man of God is he "had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel," (New King James version). Good leadership was desperately needed at that time.

      One could meditate for a long time on Ezra 7:10. What does it mean to "prepare" your heart? The New American Standard Bible gives a little help with this translation: "For Ezra had firmly resolved to study the Law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel." In Ezra 7:6 we read that he was a "skilled scribe" in the law of Moses. Barnes Notes on the Bible has this statement about that office: "The scribes of this time, and of later Jewish history, were students, interpreters, and copiers of the Law". They were trained in language, interpretation and accurate copying of manuscripts. But Ezra went beyond that.

      Let's briefly look at three special things Ezra did. First, he was determined to really seek and study the meaning of God's law. That takes time, effort and prayerfully requesting God to give us real understanding of His word. I am confident in saying Ezra spent hours and hours doing that. 

      Next, we are told he had prepared his heart, or made a firm mental determination to do or practice the law. That is so important. Knowing is one thing; actually practicing what you come to know goes a huge step further. Ezra wasn't just going to be one who interpreted and made copies of God's law, he was going to demonstrate his obedient application of it. 

      Finally, he prepared himself to teach those statutes and ordinances in, or to, Israel. That builds upon studying God's law for better understanding and practicing it in his own life. The most effective teachers know their material, apply it in their own lives and then skillfully pass it on to others.

      We are all going to be teaching under Christ in His kingdom! How are we doing now in preparing for that role? Read and meditate on Ezra 7:10 and ask yourself if you are really resolved and committed to study and seek greater understanding, to practice what we know and then be able to convey it to others.

      May we all be like Ezra! 

I wish you a very meaningful Sabbath,

Dan Dowd

14 September, 2024