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Ezra’s Threefold Desire

Ezra’s Threefold Desire. Ezra 7:1-10. Background. The people of Judah had been in captivity for 70 years When they returned, they began to rebuild the temple, but stopped due to outside pressure and a lack of faith

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Ezra’s Threefold Desire

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  1. Ezra’s Threefold Desire Ezra 7:1-10

  2. Background • The people of Judah had been in captivity for 70 years • When they returned, they began to rebuild the temple, but stopped due to outside pressure and a lack of faith • Nearly 15 years pass, then Haggai and Zechariah tell the people to put God first, and the temple gets rebuilt over the next few years.

  3. Background • Now another 60 years have passed since the temple was completed. • Although the outward worship was restored, there was still a serious problem. • Ezra 7:1-10

  4. He set his heart • “set” – “prepared” • If problems are going to be dealt with, our hearts must be prepared • Tough choices will need to be made • Lifestyles may need to be changed • Feelings may get hurt • Jesus taught the need for the same preparation – Lk 14:25-33

  5. To study the law of the Lord • “To study”- lit. “to seek” • Effort required, purpose, planning, determination • Jn 8:31-32 • To be a disciple requires • Continuing in His word, so that you will • Know the truth, and you will be • Set free by the truth

  6. To study the law of the Lord • Too many distractions from getting to know His word • We may think a simple knowledge of the word is enough (2 Tim 3:7) • Go back and read the context (2 Tim 3:1-9) • Accurate handling of the word does not bring about arguments and ungodliness (2 Tim 2:14-19) • All scripture is necessary (2 Tim 3:13-17)

  7. To practice the law of the Lord • Law is pointless if it is learned but not obeyed • In Ezra 9-10, within a few days of arriving, Ezra finds out the people had disobeyed the Law with respect to marriage to pagans • Everything was investigated by representatives (Ezra 10:9-17) • Only 4 men opposed the process (and only one of them was guilty) • Unlawful marriages were then ended

  8. To practice the law of the Lord • James 1:22-25 • Must not be forgetful of the law • Must be a doer of the law • Must look intently into the law • Must abide in the law • Must be an effectual doer of the law • James 4:17 • Must know what is right • Must do what is right

  9. To teach His statutes and ordinances • In the Ezra 9-10 example, many of the people had not known their actions were wrong • Teaching was required • Heb 5:12-14 • A need for all to become teachers • But not until each has matured in faith • James 3:1

  10. Conclusion • We must set our minds on things of God • Matt 6:33 • We must seek to learn the word of God • We must practice the law of the Lord • We must teach others the commandments so that they too can practice it

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