The Bible — read, study, apply, share

Robert Murray McCheyne said, “A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God.”

We live in a day when the foundations of our nation must be rebuilt. In order to be used by God, the Word of God must be pre-eminent in your life.

Martin Luther said, “When I was young, I read the Bible over and over and over again, and was so perfectly acquainted with it, that I could, in an instant, have pointed to any verse that might have been mentioned.” He also wrote, “For a number of years I have now annually read through the Bible twice. If the Bible were a large, mighty tree and all its words were little branches, I have tapped at all the branches, eager to know what was there and what it had to offer.”

There is a pattern for your life today. In order to be greatly used by God you must follow this example. It is found in the Old Testament. The pattern to follow is Ezra.

God used Ezra to ignite a great revival when he returned to Jerusalem (Ezra 7-10). Zerubbabel led a large group of Jews from Babylon to Jerusalem to rebuild the ruined temple (538 BC). Ezra then escorted a second group to the holy city to restore the Word of God to its rightful place (458 BC). Zerubbabel rebuilt the temple. Nehemiah rebuilt the walls. Ezra, most importantly, rebuilt the people.

What made Ezra such a mighty tool in God’s hands? The answer is very simple. Ezra 7:10 is the key to understanding his impact. It says that he “set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach his statutes and ordinances in Israel …” He was committed to study, practice and teach God’s Word. Ezra 7:10 provides three aspects of Ezra’s life that must be found in your life.

The first aspect is that Ezra learned the Word of God. He was a devoted student of Scripture. He sought to know what the Bible said. He was diligent to dig out its rich truths from the inexhaustible mines of God’s Word. “Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord” (Ezra 7:10).

As a doctor knows and prescribes medicine, so every Christian should be studying, learning and dispensing heavy doses of Scripture. Whatever the ailment there is only one cure for the soul — the Word of God applied by the Spirit of God to the human heart.

Ezra’s study was consuming. The phrase “set his heart” means to be firmly committed to a course of action. He was unwavering. He was not a man of many pursuits in life. He had one chief concern. He concentrated his whole life on the study of the Bible.

John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrim’s Progress, was consumed with the study of God’s Word. Charles Spurgeon read Pilgrim’s Progress every year. Spurgeon once remarked about Bunyan, “He had studied the Authorized Version … till his whole being was saturated with Scripture; and through his writings … he … (makes) us feel and say, ‘Why, this man is living Bible! Prick him anywhere; and you will find that his blood is Bibline; the very essence of the Bible flows from him. He cannot speak without quoting a text, for his soul is full of the Word of God.’”

The second aspect is that Ezra lived the Word of God. “For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it” (Ezra 7:10). He mastered the Word and the Word mastered him. His careful study led to a holy life. His personal integrity became the platform from which he carried out his ministry. What he learned in the Scriptures, he lived. Therefore, after he studied the Word and before he preached it, he was careful to obey it.

The Hebrew word for “practice” is also used to describe God’s creative work in making the world (Genesis 1:7, 16, 25-26). This same word is used to describe Noah building the ark (Genesis 6:14) and Jacob building a house (Genesis 33:17). It is even used to describe the workers making the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:10-11, 13, 17).

Ezra built the Scriptures into his life through personal obedience. He did not simply stockpile biblical knowledge in his head — as raw materials might be stored in a warehouse never to be used. He worked hard to put the truth into practice. With much personal effort, he crafted a holy life.

In order to be used by God, you must live the Bible. It must be applied. Who would select a banker who is personally bankrupt? (The answer: America!) People will not follow a leader who does not obey his own message. D.L. Moody said, “God did not give the Scriptures to increase our knowledge but to change our lives.”

The third aspect is that Ezra let out the Word of God. He not only learned the Scriptures and lived the Bible but he also let it out.

How did Ezra teach the Bible? Insights are given in Nehemiah 8:1-8. These verses record one of the greatest revivals in history. A large multitude — 42,360 people — gathered together. Ezra stepped forward before the people with Scriptures in hand (verse 2). He mounted a wooden platform (verse 4). He unrolled the scroll (verse 5). With reverential awe the people instinctively stood to their feet. They recognized the divine authorship and sovereign authority (verse 5). They knew they would be hearing the very Word of God. Fear gripped their trembling hearts, for God was speaking to them through his Word (verse 6).

Unfortunately, too many Christian leaders today are more like entertainers than expositors. They resemble stand-up comics rather than servants of the living God. John Knox, the great Scottish Reformer, said, “I have never once feared the devil, but I tremble every time I enter the pulpit.” Where are such men today who, like Knox, tremble when they open the Word of God?

What does America need today? The answers are found in only one place — the Word of God. Your mission today is to learn the Scriptures, live the Scriptures and then let them out. Teach them to all around you. Point them to Jesus.

Ethan Hansen (ethanchansen@gci.net) is pastor of Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.