The Necessity of God's Word

Celebration

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Timeline

Text

Ezra 7:1-10

Ezra 7:1–10 CSB

After these events, during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, Ezra— Seraiah’s son, Azariah’s son, Hilkiah’s son, Shallum’s son, Zadok’s son, Ahitub’s son, Amariah’s son, Azariah’s son, Meraioth’s son, Zerahiah’s son, Uzzi’s son, Bukki’s son, Abishua’s son, Phinehas’s son, Eleazar’s son, the chief priest Aaron’s son —came up from Babylon. He was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he requested because the hand of the Lord his God was on him. Some of the Israelites, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants accompanied him to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes. Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, during the seventh year of the king. He began the journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month and arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month since the gracious hand of his God was on him. Now Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Message

Main Point: The Word of God is necessary for one’s walk as it reveals the promises of God which points to the faithfulness of God.

So obviously, we can really all see the main point of this passage because it is repeated twice in the space of 10 verses

with 4 of those verse being a list of names

When something is repeated in such a short amount of time, that is a thing to pay attention to

However I want to do something a bit different with with this text today.

I actually want to parallel this text with a part of Psalm 119

I want to do this because I think it’s important to recognize somethings as to what it means when it says that Ezra was skilled in the law of Moses and that He set it in his heart to study the law of the LORD.

So first

1. God’s Promises Revealed - Ezra 7:1-7 / Psalm 119:65-66

This text starts off the with second return.

So the first return was with the leaders Zerubbabel who finished the temple

Now we are seeing the Scribe Ezra return with some other Israelites

And the description given of Ezra is that He is a Scribe “skilled in the law of Moses”

Now this isn’t just a thing that Ezra has named for himself....later on down the chapter this is also how the King addresses him.

So we are seeing the return of a man who has made it his life to study the Word of God, so much so it has become what He is known for

And what is the result?

Ezra 7:6

Ezra 7:6 CSB

—came up from Babylon. He was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he requested because the hand of the Lord his God was on him.

Now this isn’t saying that if you simply read your Bible’s that God is going to give you everything you want and your life will be perfect.

I want to jump over and take a look at Psalm 119:65-66

Psalm 119:65–66 CSB

Lord, you have treated your servant well, just as you promised. Teach me good judgment and discernment, for I rely on your commands.

Seeking out, and understanding the Word of God reveals the promises of God.

These are promises to carry, and keep those who walk with the LORD which includes blessings and also trials

BOTH of which are meant to teach you to rely on God and His Word

Ezra here, in this narrative understands what it means to walk with God because He knows what God says about it

Too often we think we know what it means to walk with God but we actually don’t because we don’t actually read this book for ourselves

We trust someone else (like I am right now) to read it for us, tell for us without every actually opening and reading it for ourselves

2. God’s Way Revealed - Ezra 7:8-10 / Psalm 119:67-68

So if you have ever wondered, “what does God want me to do?”

If you are like Ezra, in the sense that you have already come to know and believe in the LORD

Than Ezra 7:10 is exactly what God wants you to do

Ezra 7:10 CSB

Now Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Now I want us to pay attention to the particular order that is stated here.

Study the Word of God

Obey It

Teach it

The key I want to point out is the second point.

Obey it.

This is the thing that Israel and their leaders failed to do which resulted in the destruction of Jerusalem and them being sent into Exile.

The leaders failed to obey the Word of God that the read and taught.

That is the difference between Ezra here, and the failed leaders that led Israel into sin and exile.

So I must ask? What good is the Word of God to you if it is not obeyed?

Paralleling this with Psalm 119 we see this...

Psalm 119:67-68

Psalm 119:67–68 CSB

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. You are good, and you do what is good; teach me your statutes.

I will touch on the other two points in a bit BUT

What we study we must obey

We cannot, continue to sit in this place and read about restoration of lives and communities to go home and do nothing with that message!

We will have opportunities here at the end to do exactly what we are being called to do: Obey the Scriptures

James 1:22-25

James 1:22–25 CSB

But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror. For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does.

Do not just be a hearer of this message, but take action on it!

But I went to this second point first intentionally...

Because in order to obey the Word you also have to study it for yourselves

Notice Ezra determined in “his heart”

Me determining in my heart does not nullify the need for you personally to study the LORD.

Yes there is a teaching of the Word but you are also called to tell others about the Word of God

Matthew 28:19-20

Matthew 28:19–20 CSB

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

So if you are called to obey the Word of God...

IF you are also called to Go and tell others about the Word of God and what it says

That means you have to have a deep and working knowledge of what God’s Word says in order that you can:

Obey it

Teach it

Preparation

How many of you guys have ever tried to read the Bible and felt like you were reading a foreign language?

Bible Basics Class