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A PREPARED HEART (III)
SATURDAY, APRIL 17
Ezra 7:6-10

Hebrews 5:11-14

 

“…ye ought to be teachers…”

 

A PREPARED HEART (III)
 
Prepared to teach. Finally, in the third place, Ezra’s purpose extended beyond the confines of his own life. His heart was prepared not only to seek God’s law and obey it for himself, but also “to teach in Israel statutes and judgments” (Ezra 7:10). Everything led up to this ultimate goal: he could not effectively teach what he had not himself practised, and he could not correctly practise what he had not diligently sought out and understood.
 
Dear reader, do not be lulled into thinking that Ezra’s example in this case is relevant only for pastors and preachers. Yes, there is an ordained ministry of teaching in the church; some are specially appointed of God to be “pastors and teachers” (Eph 4:11) ‒ but there is an important sense in which all Christians are to be “teachers.” Consider the admonishment in Hebrews 5:12, which is addressed not narrowly to pastors but broadly to all believers!
 
If we are one body in Christ; if we have a mutual duty to “bear… one another’s burdens” (Gal 6:2); if we are all of us to “seek that [we] may excel to the edifying of the church” (1 Cor 14:12); if we are to be “exhorting one another,” and more than ever now in these last days (Heb 10:25) ‒ can you not see how the performance of all these duties involves teaching God’s law to others? When you see your brothers or sisters erring in doctrine or practice, ought you not to teach them the truth? Should you not serve those younger in the faith by your godly instruction and counsel? Parents, are you heedless of your responsibility before the Lord, to teach your children?
 
Of course, we must hearken to the warning of Scripture: “be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation” (James 3:1). Yet this is precisely where Ezra’s example applies. We cannot avoid the charge to teach; nor can we take up the role proudly, seeking to show off our “wisdom” without actually practising what we preach. Therefore we must first “do,” before we can “teach,” and we must first “seek,” so that we can “do.” In the end, each one of us must have a heart just like Ezra’s: prepared to seek, do, and teach God’s law.
 
THOUGHT: Am I able to teach others the truth?

PRAYER: “Teach me thy way, O LORD,” that I may teach others also.

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