Biblical Leadership:Leader's Are Learner's

Book of Ezra

Historical Background of Ezra

The book of Ezra is set against the backdrop of Judah coming out of exile from the babylonians for 70 years. This exile was the result of National and civil idolatry of the southern kingdom of Judah, which were made up of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and their king, Rehoboam. The Persian empire overthrew the Babylonian empire, and as a result, the Persian king allowed the covenant people of God to restore the house of the LORD, which is where we find ourselves in Ezra.

The first two chapters of Ezra are about the return of the exiles, and then chapters three through six are about the rebuilding of the altar and temple.

Theological Notes Considered

God stirred Cyrus’ heart to decree the building of the LORD’s house. God gave his people authority through the king to bring about his promises of restoring his people ().

God stirred the heart of his people to “go” and “rebuild”(). God gave his people the resources to bring about his promises.

Theological Takeaway: God determines the ends as well as the means of His will; His purposes, and His promises.

Who Was Ezra

He was a scribe and a priest (; ).

A man of prayer and sensitive to God’s calling on his life. This was demonstrated by his declaration, “the good hand of God” being upon him and his companions (; ; ).

High Centering Text

For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statues and rules in Israel.

Text Notes

To set one’s heart to study God’s Word is to seek to know more of God and His will because He is “The” authority, “The” final arbiter of all matters.

Implication: what we prepare in our hearts is what we practice, and what we practice we promote.

Leadership Traits Gleaned From Text

Leaders are learners first.

Learners posture: humbleness

Leaders leverage what they learn through practicing. In other words, mastering is practicing what you’ve learned continually.

Ezra was being mastered by scripture; he learned it, and applied it. He was submitting to the authority of scripture, which is what made him the leader he was.

Doer’s posture: submissiveness.

Obedience is doing whatever God’s Word say’s explicitly or implicitly.

Leaders teach what they’ve been mastered by.

Teacher’s posture: truthfulness

Group Discussion Questions

As far as being a leader in your home, what level of leadership are you exhibiting, learner, doer, or teacher?

As far as your vocation, what does leadership look like for you in the workplace?

What does your leadership look like in Church, are you leading in some capacity? If not, why?

Do you struggle with submitting yourself to God’s authority and leadership? If you struggle with authority and leadership, have you considered that it may be rooted in not submitting yourself to God’s authority and leadership? Why or Why not?