Page 5 - Good News July 2010 paper

AME the truly great men and women of your lifetime.
Celebrities, politicians, war heroes, sports figures, and
Nmaybe your parents and special friends would come to
mind. You remember them because of certain acts or character
qualities.
Now, name some Biblical heroes - figures etched into your life
through countless sermons and Sunday School lessons. This
list undoubtedly includes many who served God faithfully and
courageously. Does your list include EZRA?
Far from being well-known, this unheralded man of God
deserves to be mentioned in any discussion of greatness. Ezra
was a priest, a scribe, and a great leader. HIS NAME MEANS
“HELP” AND HIS WHOLE LIFE WAS DEDICATED TO SERVING
GOD AND HELPING GOD'S PEOPLE.
Tradition states that Ezra wrote most of 1 and 2 Chronicles,
Ezra, Nehemiah, and Psalm 119, and that he led the council of
120 men who formed the Old Testament canon. He centres the
narrative of the book Ezra around God and His promise that the
Jews would return to their land, as promised by Jeremiah (Jer.
25:12-14; 29:10). This message formed the core of Ezra's life.
The last half of the book of Ezra gives a very personal glimpse
of the man, Ezra. His knowledge of Scripture and his God-given
wisdom were so obvious to the king that he appointed Ezra to
lead the second emigration to Jerusalem, to teach the people
God's Word, and to administer national life (Ezra 7:14-26).
EZRA NOT ONLY KNEW GOD'S WORD, HE BELIEVED IT AND
OBEYED IT! Upon learning of the Israelites' sins of inter-
marriage and idolatry, Ezra fell in humility before God and
prayed for the nation (Ezra 9:1-15). Their disobedience touched
him deeply (Ezra 10:1). His response helped to lead the people
back to God.
Read the book Ezra, and also remember Ezra, the man - A
HUMBLE, OBEDIENT HELPER. COMMIT YOURSELF TO
SERVING GOD WITH YOUR WHOLE LIFE AS HE DID! Also keep
on serving and helping others.
[Life Application Bible, The Living Bible, Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc. 1988].