A Ready Scribe
Today’s Verse:
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. ~Ezra 7:6
Ezra was one of God’s great men in the Old Testament. God used this man’s pen, personality, and persuasion to help with the finishing of the temple construction after the Jews returned from captivity. He was a tenderhearted man whom God used. He is described as a “ready scribe in the law of Moses.” Do you have the characteristics of a ready scribe?
We see that he was a pupil.
“He was a ready scribe in the law of Moses.” He was a student of God’s Word. He gave himself diligently to know God’s Word through memorization, meditation, and much study. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God.” Study must be desired. Study involves discipline. Study is given to details. Study stirs our devotion.
We see that he was prepared.
“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.” He had to be ready to copy, recite, and declare. Men of God must be instant in season and out of season. We must be ready to give an answer to every man that should ask us a reason of the hope that is in us. We must be ready to do what our Lord bids us.
We see that he was a producer.
He is called “a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.” Scribes had to write out copies of God’s Word. They had to be diligent and careful. He had to produce an exact replication of the original. Producers get things done. Producers give results. Producers are reliable. Producers are go-to men for kings and those in authority.
We see that he was prudent.
“And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.” A ready scribe is a man who is filled with God’s wisdom. Without this wisdom, no man can give others the mind of God on matters of life. Wisdom is insight, foresight, and hindsight.
We see that he prayed.
“And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God.” He prayed routinely. He prayed remorsefully. A ready scribe understands the need for prayer and the power of prayer. He was a priest, and, in his capacity, he represented God before men and men before God. A ready scribe is an intercessor for others.
We see he was a preacher.
“And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.” He declared God’s Word from behind a wooden pulpit. He assembled men with him to make God’s Word clear and understandable. A ready scribe is ready to preach and to teach.
We see that he was praised.
Ezra was respected and well-reputed by God, his peers, and the people for being a ready scribe. Determine this morning to be “a ready scribe” of the Word of God.
Have a Word-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading: Luke 23-24