EZRA

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