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. (Ezra.7.10 KJV)
I have known of no teacher who just got hired to teach without learning and practicing the content they are to teach even though the person is naturally gifted to. And I know it is so with other professions too.
We read about Ezra as a priest, a scholar, other versions say a scribe or expert in the truths and way of God concerning Israel. In our theme scripture, I want us to look at the major aspects of Ezra's life and ministry. He learned; he practiced; he taught. Let's respect their order too.
We today, even as there have been, have people who are not engaging in all these three aspects. Many want to find themselves teaching and having crowds. But they have not really learned and practiced what they are teaching.
They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. (1Timothy.1.7 NIV)
This priest set himself to seek what the law really said. Well that was the law, so in the dispensation of Grace, don't you need to seek; to learn what the law of Grace, its ways and principles say? You have to.
1Timothy.4.13 Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. (MSB)
Many have learnt and now want to teach without practicing. But remember, anything that you profess but has no manifestation or expression is void. Look at the Pharisees;
Matthew.23.3-4 So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
As an example to us in the new dispensation, the aspects of Ezra's life and ministry in their stated order are very important. You can not practice what you have not learned, yet teaching what you have not learned and practiced is spiritually useless.
Jesus was called a great teacher [Matthew 22.36, 23.10], and from scripture we understand that he was learned [Luke 2.52] and that whatever He taught he also did. He practically forgave, obeyed authority, paid His tax, and did great wonders.
We can not become an exception. We too need to first learn, then practice what we have learnt, after which only can we come out to teach it. Praise the Lord Jesus Christ!
Hallelujah!
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