Day 124, or May the 4th. When you grow, it's infectious. Our thought today is rooted in
Ezra chapter 7 verse 10. For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the
law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.
Now the big picture surrounding this verse. In chapter 7 Ezra finally gets his first mention
in the book that bears his name. After the relatively large return to the Promised Land
under the leadership of Zerubbabel, Ezra brings back a smaller group of less than two thousand.
His aim is to rebuild the people into God's holy people now that the temple has been rebuilt.
As a priest he is uniquely equipped to organize the temple and revitalize the people. He does
a great job with the temple, and also encourages the people to clean up their lives with God's
help.
And now our action step for today. The order of events which sum up Ezra's ambitions
as he leads people back into the Promised Land is critical. The Bible tells us that
he has devoted himself to the study of the word. Then he has resolved to put what he
has learned into action in his daily life. Finally, it's his aim to teach what he has
learned and put it into practice so that others may follow God according to his word. These
are great aspirations, and who will benefit the most? Ezra and all the people who follow
his example. There are no losers. Studying the word can make you a better Bible scholar,
but unless it changes your life you will be a dry better Bible scholar. Putting into practice
what you learn will gradually make you more like Jesus. Which sounds the best to you?
Are you going to follow Ezra's example? Actually you have already reached the halfway
mark of the Old Testament. Well done. Don't stop now because God has so much more to say
to you, and you have so much more to learn and incorporate into your life. Then those
around you will have so much more to learn from you. When it comes to studying the Bible,
it's true that everyone wins.