941: Ezra

We continue with our Proverbs 31 Male series with a look at an obscure Old Testament priest named Ezra. The purpose of this series is to look at men who modeled certain behaviors described in Proverbs 31, which include:

1. Using leadership power to benefit and not harm those who are weaker.
2. Being concerned for social justice.
3. Honoring women.
4. Serving in leadership capacities as "elders at the gate," where wisdom and justice are dispensed.

Ezra does not qualify on all the points above, a topic we will not discuss in this Memo, but he did excel in leading his people because of his superb knowledge of the Word, which will be the focus of our discussion.

WHO WAS THIS MAN?

Ezra was a priest who was in Babylon taken there under the same conditions as Daniel:

After these things, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub, the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth, the son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki, the son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest—this Ezra came up from Babylon (Ezra 7:1-6a).

Ezra was selected to lead the contingent returning to Jerusalem having distinguished himself as a man of the Word:

• He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given (Ezra 7:6b).
• This is a copy of the letter King Artaxerxes had given to Ezra the priest, a teacher of the Law, a man learned in matters concerning the commands and decrees of the Lord for Israel: Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, teacher of the Law of the God of heaven (Ezra 7:11-12).
• Now I, King Artaxerxes, decree that all the treasurers of Trans-Euphrates are to provide with diligence whatever Ezra the priest, the teacher of the Law of the God of heaven, may ask of you (Ezra 7:21).

The Persian king had heard of Ezra because Ezra had distinguished himself as a man who knew the Word and could teach others the word:

And you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom of your God, which you possess, appointmagistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people of Trans-Euphrates—all who know the laws of your God. And you are to teach any who do not know them. Whoever does not obey the law of your God and the law of the king must surely be punished by death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment (Ezra 7:25-26).

Ezra had so completely given himself to the study of God's word that he was known not only among the Jews but also among the heathen as a learned man. On that basis he was chosen to serve his people by leading them back to rebuild Jerusalem, the city of their fathers. 

MEN OF THE WORD

I recently met with someone who told me they studied the Word of God two to three hours almost every day. When I asked why, this person said, "So I can know the Word." While I was impressed with this person's diligence and commitment, I challenged them to be more than a man of the Word. I urged them to become a teacher of the Word, for that is what a Proverbs 31 man needs to be. If we are to dispense justice and lead people, we must not only know the Word but also obey and then teach the Word. 

I am concerned because so few men are involved in their churches teaching others, especially children. I am concerned that men seem more entranced by sports and other "manly" activities than they are immersed in the Word—but not just immersed to build themselves up but to teach others as well. I am concerned that I see men more activated by politics on social media who are sharing their political insights rather than their insights into God's word (including pastors)

Ezra had a wonderful reputation as a man of wisdom as the king stated in his memo: "And you, Ezra, in accordance with the wisdom of your God, which you possess . . ." (Ezra 7:25a). Where are the men of wisdom today? Where are the men who are available to be drafted to lead God's people because they know the Word, not because they are successful businessmen or sports trivia champions?

I go back to the song I quoted in the first entry of this series, titled Rise Up, Oh Men of God. The stanzas go like this:

Rise up O men of God, Have done with lesser things. Give heart and soul and mind and strength,  to serve the King of Kings.

 

Rise up O men of God, His Kingdom tarries long, Bring in the day of brotherhood, and end the night of wrong.

 

Rise up O men of God, The Church for you doth wait. Send forth to serve the needs of men In Christ our strength is great,

Lift high the Cross of Christ, Tread where His feet have trod. As brothers of the Son of Man, rise up O men of God,

 

How many men will commit to be people of the Word to not only obey it but also to teach it. If you are ready to make that commitment, then the time to start is now for every day counts as we rise up to serve this generation as God would have us do. Have a blessed week.