I believe the Lord has laid upon my heart a series of sermons from the Book of Ezra. Either from the whole Book (chapter by chapter) or concerning the man himself, Ezra the Scribe. If this “tugging” at my heart continues, I will have our printer prepare me a “Bible Portion” Booklet, containing just the Book of Ezra, all 10 chapters, just 280 verses, if I have counted correctly. Then I shall (Lord willing) preach from Ezra for a complete Revival Meeting, challenging the people to read the chapters in Ezra, over and over again. No telling what God might do that week!

Here’s my favorite description of Ezra, the man of God. “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” Ezra 7:10

Wow!

The verb “to seek” translates “darash” in Hebrew. It is an intense longing for something! In fact, 12 times it is rendered as “to require” in the Old Testament! Ezra HAD TO HAVE God’s Word in his life, an absolute necessity!

My second favorite designation for Ezra is found earlier in that 7th chapter where the man is called a “ready” scribe! “This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a READY scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given ….” Ezra 7:6

This word means “diligent, prompt,” even “skilled” according to one source!

Yes, that’s our “nugget” today. Meet and learn more about this gallant character of the Bible!

Who “hungered” for God’s Word!

Who then “obeyed” God’s Word!

Who then earnestly “taught” God’s Word!

“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.”

Mercy, what a man to emulate.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

How much do WE love the Bible?