Post by Les Brewer on Dec 7, 2023 16:11:03 GMT
Effective Witness By Anne Le Tissier
Click here for the Audio Message
Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord . . . and to teaching its decrees.
Ezra 7:10
Today's Scripture & Insight :
Ezra 7:1–10
“Hard-hearted! Barbaric! Unreachable!”
It was a harsh description of the seventh-century Northumbrians, but one that stirred Aidan’s heart. Sensing God’s call to love them, he walked the lanes and talked with peasants, gently explaining the Christian faith and living a sacrificial life.
Aidan was a man of deep prayer, spending hours meditating on Scripture on the barren island of Lindisfarne. Cut off from the Northumbrian mainland twice daily by tides, he equipped himself in the stillness for his witness and work. His ministry became so effective that Christian communities blossomed among the formerly stubborn Northumbrians.
I wonder if Aidan was following the example of Ezra the priest. Did he learn a vital principle from him? Returning to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile, Ezra met with a people who had lapsed in their commitment to God. But “the hand of the Lord his God was on him” (Ezra 7:6), a striking description of God’s favour on the influence of his teaching. Like Aidan, his effective ministry to instruct, edify and reform others was empowered first through what he studied in Scripture, and then put into practice himself (v. 10).
We don’t need to be a priest, church leader or modern-day theologian to enhance the effectiveness of our witness. As we listen with open hearts while reading God’s Word, and actively let it shape our attitudes and behaviour, His “gracious hand” (v. 9) of favour will enhance our influence too.
Reflect & Pray
How have you put into practice what God has shown you in His Word this week? How have you seen this impacting others who aren’t yet in a relationship with God?
Loving God, please teach me how to live the life of Your Word so that the authenticity of what I say and do may lead others to You.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The book of Ezra, one of the Old Testament books of history, is closely linked with Nehemiah. The two books tell the story of the return of the southern kingdom of Judah from their Babylonian captivity. Ezra's concern was the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, while Nehemiah focused on the rebuilding of the city walls.
Bill Crowder
Ezra 7:1-10
King James Version
7 Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,
2 The son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub,
3 The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,
4 The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,
5 The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:
6 This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the Lord his God upon him.
7 And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
8 And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.
9 For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.
10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
Click here for the Audio Message
Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord . . . and to teaching its decrees.
Ezra 7:10
Today's Scripture & Insight :
Ezra 7:1–10
“Hard-hearted! Barbaric! Unreachable!”
It was a harsh description of the seventh-century Northumbrians, but one that stirred Aidan’s heart. Sensing God’s call to love them, he walked the lanes and talked with peasants, gently explaining the Christian faith and living a sacrificial life.
Aidan was a man of deep prayer, spending hours meditating on Scripture on the barren island of Lindisfarne. Cut off from the Northumbrian mainland twice daily by tides, he equipped himself in the stillness for his witness and work. His ministry became so effective that Christian communities blossomed among the formerly stubborn Northumbrians.
I wonder if Aidan was following the example of Ezra the priest. Did he learn a vital principle from him? Returning to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile, Ezra met with a people who had lapsed in their commitment to God. But “the hand of the Lord his God was on him” (Ezra 7:6), a striking description of God’s favour on the influence of his teaching. Like Aidan, his effective ministry to instruct, edify and reform others was empowered first through what he studied in Scripture, and then put into practice himself (v. 10).
We don’t need to be a priest, church leader or modern-day theologian to enhance the effectiveness of our witness. As we listen with open hearts while reading God’s Word, and actively let it shape our attitudes and behaviour, His “gracious hand” (v. 9) of favour will enhance our influence too.
Reflect & Pray
How have you put into practice what God has shown you in His Word this week? How have you seen this impacting others who aren’t yet in a relationship with God?
Loving God, please teach me how to live the life of Your Word so that the authenticity of what I say and do may lead others to You.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The book of Ezra, one of the Old Testament books of history, is closely linked with Nehemiah. The two books tell the story of the return of the southern kingdom of Judah from their Babylonian captivity. Ezra's concern was the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, while Nehemiah focused on the rebuilding of the city walls.
Bill Crowder
Ezra 7:1-10
King James Version
7 Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,
2 The son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub,
3 The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,
4 The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,
5 The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:
6 This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the Lord his God upon him.
7 And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
8 And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.
9 For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.
10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
