Learn It, Live It, Give It!
There is an interesting verse in the biblical book of Ezra that every Christian can profit from: “For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel” (Ezra 7:10). This verse summarizes the attitude of the great leader who guided the Jewish people at the time of their return to Jerusalem from captivity in Babylon. It’s easy to read over the first word of the verse – “For” – but the preceding verse tells us how “the gracious hand of his God was on him” “for,” or because of, Ezra’s dedication to God – not as a reward for it, but because his dedication allowed God to use him fully.
The verse then tells us there were three specific parts to Ezra’s dedication: he devoted himself to studying God’s word, obeying God’s word, and teaching God’s word. This does not mean these were the only things he did, of course. Ezra was undoubtedly kept busy with the many problems and issues involved in relocating a large group of people in dangerous circumstances – but he had devoted himself to do these three things regardless of everything else going on in his life.
First, we are told that Ezra devoted himself to study of God’s law. Of course, “law” meant more than just the Ten Commandments and other actual laws – it included all of the Bible’s instruction. The Hebrew expression used of Ezra is that he devoted himself not just to read, but to “seek” the law of the Lord – to look for its guidance in an intense way. This is interesting because we find the same expression a number of times in the Old Testament where individuals were blessed when they were “seeking” God or his law.
Second, we are told that Ezra devoted himself to observance of the law. It is to the extent that we study the principles of God’s way of life with an intent to follow them that we seek God and follow him. That is why the Old Testament tells us that individuals like the godless king Rehoboam “did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD” (2 Chronicles 12:14), and good kings like Asa “commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their ancestors, and to obey his laws and commands” (2 Chronicles 14:4).
Third, Ezra’s devotion was not to some kind of spiritual self-improvement program where his own righteousness was his ultimate goal. We read that he was equally devoted to making God’s way of life available and understandable to others. Such an approach does not have to center on physical teaching as it may have done in his case, but can include helping others see God’s way through our own lives and actions – the keeping of God’s way – as well as through traditional teaching means where these are appropriate.
While it can be profitable to think about any of these areas of spiritual life individually, the biggest take-away from what we are told about Ezra’s dedication to God is that it involved all three. The lesson there may seem obvious, but we should not ignore it. It is not enough to simply study the Bible occasionally or even frequently. It is not enough to study and also to keep the Bible’s principles in our lives. Ezra’s example shows we only really fulfill God’s purpose in our lives when we do all three. It is only when we continually learn more of God’s way, continually apply it in our lives, and continually share it with others – in whatever way we have opportunity and ability – that God can use us to the full.
Without any one of these activities the others don’t really work. Study without application is meaningless. Application without sharing is limiting and self-centered. Application or sharing without study is limited and often superficial. It is only when all three aspects of learn it, live it, and give it, are present that the cycle of spiritual living operates as it should.
Finally, when we talk about Ezra’s study, application, and sharing of God’s way, we must realize that he by no means intended to do all this by his own power. It is perhaps significant that the book of Ezra shows this great leader – whose name is an abbreviation of the Hebrew Azaryahu “God helps” – contains a good number of instances of Ezra’s recognition of the need of God’s help in many aspects of life (Ezra 8:21; etc.). We too should seek God’s help in study, application, and sharing of the truth. Only then will we be spiritually successful, like Ezra, in learning, living, and giving, God’s way.
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