I referred to Ezra 7:10 way back on December 12, 2017 … in the second lesson of this Series of studies on the Book of Ezra. But I did not exegete the verse then, and it is of paramount importance to understanding the Book’s namesake, the scribe we call Ezra.

“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

Remember, the name Ezra means “helper!”

And if any person, spiritually speaking, truly wants to be a “help” to his brothers and sisters in Christ … he must fortify himself with the Word of God. Ezra did!

The man first “prepared” his heart … a Hebrew verb spelled “kun,” meaning “to establish, to fix (as with resolve), to confirm, to make certain!” And the verb is framed to suggest this is a one-time decision, made in the past, likely when Ezra was quite a young man!

By the way, the “heart” (in Hebrew “leb”) can include one’s mind as well, plus at times his soul and his understanding and even his will.

The whole person!

Prepared to do what?

Three things …

“To seek” God’s Law, God’s Word … employing the verb “darash,” here not a one-time act, but continual, habitual, on-going for a lifetime! The verb normally means “to enquire, to consult, to resort to” … but further, 12 times (in the King James Version) it means “to require!” As in IT MUST BE, the Word of God in my life. I’LL DIE WITHOUT IT! That kind of attitude! It is an absolute requirement!

Wow!

“To do” that Law as well! Now “asah” means “to obey” essentially. “To perform” it, to follow through on what it says, what it commands! Again, a lifelong occupation, grammatically speaking.

Then “to teach” the Scriptures to the people, to the Israelites! And “lamad” means “to aid learning, to instruct,” as one would expect. But this third verb is different on one key way, it is written in the PIEL stem! Meaning that the intensity of this verb is emphasized … teaching “with all you’ve got,” thus energetically, whole heartedly!

Wow again!

Yes, three verbs.

But when followed consistently and over time … a recipe for a successful, holy life!

What a man of God, Ezra.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Folks, I don’t know what else to write today! If Ezra’s lifestyle does not challenge us, if the Holy Spirit is not through this Text calling your heart to more diligent occupation with your Bible … things may be hopeless!

In closing, listen to the Psalmist addressing God! “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” Psalm 119:97, surely the sum result of living like Ezra did!