Introduction:

A. Some facts about Ezra:

1. Ezra was a priest after the lineage of Aaron (Ezra 7:1-5).
2. Ezra 7:6 shows:

a. He was a ready [quick, able, skilled] scribe [one who recounts] in the Law of Moses (or a ready writer – Psalms 45:1).
b. He left the comforts of the palace he was in at Babylon to go to Jerusalem (v.6-7).  He, like Moses (Hebrews 11:24-26), chose to help his people even if that was not in the best of his physical interests.
c. The King granted him all his requests similar to that as Joseph, Daniel, Esther and Nehemiah had done to them.
d. Ezra recognized God’s hand in all things (7:6; 9; 26).

3. Ezra was the writer of I Chronicles, II Chronicles, and Ezra.

a. Interestingly, Ezra appears to write in the third person from Ezra 7:1-10:1.

4. Nehemiah also testifies of the work of Ezra (Nehemiah 8:1-6).

B. Romans 15:4 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

1. Looking at the Old Testament examples such as Ezra makes for a good learning tool for application of the attitudes that please God.

C. Text: Ezra 7:10 “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.”

A. The Bible shows us many things we do that involves our hearts:

1. It is with the heart that man believes (Romans 10:10).
2. It is the heart of man that thinks [as Christ points out here] (Matthew 9:4).

a. Good or bad (Matthew 12:35).
b. Matthew 15:18-19

3. It is from the heart man speaks (Matthew 12:34).
4. Forgiveness is from the heart (Matthew 18:35).
5. It is with our hearts that we reason (Mark 2:6).
6. It is with the heart that man purposes (II Corinthians 9:7).
7. It is with the heart we can condemn ourselves (I John 3:21).
8. It is with the heart that man desires (Psalms 10:3).
9. It is with the heart that man sorrows (Psalms 13:2).

a. Sorrow leads to repentance II Corinthians 7:9-10

10. The heart loves (I Timothy 1:5). 

a. It is love the produces obedience (John 14:15).

B. All things that the heart does points to obedience (Romans 6:17).

1. This is the reason we must be like Ezra and prepare our hearts properly to fully dedicate ourselves to the Lord (Mark 12:28-30).
2. Where our treasures are there will our hearts be also (Matthew 6:19-21).

C. The outward actions of man and his heart can differ (Psalms 55:21). 

1. But God knows our hearts:

a. Psalms 69:5 
b. Hebrews 4:13

A. If we seek to know God’s law we show the attitude of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 15:16). 

1. This attitude is the attitude Jesus spoke of (Matthew 5:6). 
2. It is the bread of life we seek (Matthew 4:4).

B. A lack of seeking the law of the Lord was a major problem for God’s people throughout the Old Testament:

1. Hosea 4:1-6
2. Isaiah 5:13

C. We need to desire the pure word of God (I Peter 2:2).

1. The word desire in this verse means: “to long for, desire to pursue with love, to long after…” – Thayer Strong’s # 1971
2. The Bible commands us to study (II Timothy 2:15), but is should not be just fulfilling the command, we should desire to study.

A. To obey the Lord you have to be willing to be obedient.

1. Luke 6:46 
2. Follow carefully the law (Deuteronomy 15:4-6)

B. The one who hears and does the word of God is the one who will be saved:

1. James 1:21-25
2. Matthew 7:24-27

C. If you fail to obey God there will be consequences:

1. Numbers 15:32-36
2. II Samuel 6:6-7
3. Leviticus 10:1-2
4. John 12:48

A. The first century saints worked hard at teaching:

1. Acts 5:42 
2. Acts 19:8-10
3. Acts 20:20

B. We should be excited to share the saving Gospel of Christ (Acts 20:24).

1. Without preaching no one will be saved (Romans 10:14-17).
2. The cure for sin is in your hands, will you share it (Mark 16:15-16; cf. Acts 2:38)?

C. Can you be as other Godly men of the Old Testament such as Isaiah or Jeremiah?

1. Isaiah 6:8-10
2. Jeremiah 20:9 

A. Today we need to prepare our hearts to:

1. Seek the law of the Lord (John 5:39).
2. Do the law of the Lord (Matthew 7:21).
3. Teach the law of the Lord (Matthew 28:19-20).

B. In doing these things:

1. We will grow spiritually.
2. We will be upward bound.
3. Others will be taught and converted.