Page 6 - Good News May 2015 paper

t is not personal achievement,
actions when he arrived in
but personal commitment to Jerusalem. The people had
Ilive for God that is important. disobeyed God's command not
Achievements are simply used to marry women of foreign
as examples of what God can do nations. On a cold and rainy day,
through someone's life. The Ezra addressed the people and
most effective leaders spoken of made it clear that they had
in the Bible had little awareness sinned. Because of the sins of
of the impact their lives had on many, all were under God's
others. They were too busy condemnation.
obeying God to keep track of Confession, repentance, and
their successes. Ezra fits that action were needed. The people
description. admitted their sin and devised a
About 80 years after the rebuil- plan to deal with the problem.
ding of the Temple under This initial effort on Esra's part
Zerubbabel, Ezra returned to set the stage for what Nehemiah
Judah with about 2 000 men and would later accomplish. Ezra
their families. He was given a carried on his ministry under
letter from King Artaxerxes Nehemiah, and the two were
instructing him to carry out a greatly used by God to start a
program of religious education. spiritual movement that swept
Along with the letter came the nation, following the rebuil-
significant power. But long ding of Jerusalem.
before Ezra's mission began, Ezra achieved great things in
God had shaped him for the life, but he had significant
power he was to be given. First, impact because he had the right
as a scribe, he dedicated himself starting place for his actions,
to carefully studying God's and his life: God's Word! He
Word. Second, he intended to studied it seriously and applied
personally apply and obey the it faithfully. He taught others
commands he discovered in what he had learned. He is,
God's Word. Third, he was therefore, a great model for
committed to teaching others anyone who wants to live
both God's Word and its appli- faithfully for God!
cation to their lives. - Life Application Bible (The
Knowing Ezra's priorities, it is Living Bible), Tyndale House
not surprising to note his Publishers Inc.,1986.