Letter to the Church – Part Two: Though He Had Learned, He Refused to Teach Before Practicing (Ezra)

“Then I was beside Him, as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight; Rejoicing before Him always,” (proverbs 8:30).

This passage speaks of Jesus Christ, who is confirmed by the Holy Scriptures as a master craftsman. What caused God to delight in Him and call Him a wise servant was His practice of God’s Word exactly as it was given. Whenever God commanded, whether to create the heavens or anything else, the Word (Jesus) immediately brought it into existence, aligning perfectly with God’s command. This made Him God’s constant delight. Likewise, remember that you too will be God’s delight when you practice His Word. Jesus ensured that God’s Word was synonymous with His actions. I would say that Jesus Christ is the embodiment of God’s Word in action!

If Jesus had merely memorized what God told Him without putting it into practice, nothing would have been created. Memorization is important because God reminds us, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart” (Proverbs 3:1). However, the foundation of wisdom and understanding goes beyond memorization; it lies in putting into action what you have learned. As Proverbs 20:11a says, “Even a child is known by his actions.”

Paul stated that God enabled him to be a minister of the Spirit, rather than one who teaches the letter that kills (2 Corinthians 3:6). In this 21st century, Satan continues to spread the lie that merely memorizing God’s Word is sufficient. It is true that preaching what you have memorized can save others, but they will be saved only by the letter, not by the spirit. Moreover, the preacher who has merely memorized the words without living them will not be saved.

He was wise

“This Ezra came up from Babylon, and he was a skilled scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given. For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:6a, 10).

Ezra, the priest, is described in the Word of God as a skilled scribe. Every skilled scribe is also a good reader, but not every good reader is a skilled scribe. This is evidence that Ezra, beyond being a skilled scribe, was also a good reader.

Ezra was wise, but he went beyond that by continuing to study the Holy Scriptures. Before teaching others what he had learned, he first practiced it himself. The lesson here is that after studying and reading well, he resolved in his heart to put into practice what he had learned. Only after this did he commit to teaching others (EVEN THOUGH HE HAD READ MUCH, HE REFUSED TO TEACH UNTIL HE HAD PRACTICED IT AND MADE IT HIS LIFE).

Lesson for the church

Church members often gather to read the Word of God and other spiritual books, seeking material to teach others rather than seeking what God is telling them personally through His Word. However, what God desires is for us to study His Word and put it into practice before teaching it to others, because the foundation of life is found more in practicing the Scriptures than in teaching them.

As we conclude this message, dear brethren, you are reminded that the foundation of life lies in practicing the Word of God rather than merely teaching it. “Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave Moses for Israel…” (1 Chronicles 22:13). Therefore, we must discipline our bodies, making them slaves (by practicing the Word of God before teaching it) so that, after preaching to others, we will not be disqualified ourselves (1 Corinthians 9:27).