“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
Ezra had a unique task in Israel. God’s temple had just been rebuilt when God appointed Ezra the task of rebuilding His people. God’s people had returned home, but they didn’t know how to be His people. They were happy to be back in the land but they didn’t know how to be faithful, how to grow, or how to serve and please the Lord. So God sent Ezra to rebuild His people.
How did Ezra rebuild the people of God? Through the Word of God. Ezra “set his heart” – he committed himself through and through – to three simple things.
First, he committed to diligently studying the Bible for himself. Successfully building up the people of God isn’t the result of personal charisma, unique communication skills, or special effects though those things may help. The long term building up of God’s people must be rooted in leaders and teachers deeply committed to personal study of God’s Word.
Second, Ezra committed himself to personally doing what the Bible said to do. Building up God’s people cannot be done in a hypocritical or abstract manner. Those called to build up the people of God must order their lives in deep obedience to God’s Word. They must lead by example and teach from experience.
Third, Ezra committed his entire life to teaching the Bible. He probably could have taught other leadership techniques and skills, how to win friends, or to influence people, but he didn’t. The hard work of building up God’s people must always be done first and foremost through the teaching and application of God’s Word. There is no substitute or shortcut. Offer nothing less and accept nothing less!