Thursday, October 7: Ezra 7- God's second move, going deeper.

God is reestablishing His people in Jerusalem. The first wave of repatriates labored to rebuild home and culture and altar and temple. It was arduous work, filled with frustration and discouragement. Now God is sending a second wave of exiles returning home to Jerusalem. At the lead is Ezra, a priest in the lineage of Aaron who is a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given… (6).

With the basics established, now it is time to grow into all the ways and laws of God. And Ezra, a teacher of the Law, is needed to help the people grow.

Pondering this, God showed me an analogy to personal discipleship. The first move of God establishes a ‘beach head’ of faith. These are the basics that often involve initial changes in one’s life. Jerusalem left fallow and being ruled by pagans needed to be resettled, cleaned up and appropriate God-worship established. Often the first move in a person’s life, after coming to Jesus, is to establish appropriate worship routine and get the basics of the faith started in one’s life… Scripture reading, prayer, some Christian friends to walk with you, weekly worship… things like this.

Then comes God’s second move, where God -usually through teachers, small-group leaders, pastors and churches- takes us more deeply into His word. There God begins to do further, deeper character change on our lives. This is what I saw in God sending Ezra to Jerusalem. It was time for the Jews to move more deeply back into the worship and life of the Lord.

These thoughts prompt me to ask, “Where are you in your journey of faith? Is God establishing his ‘beach head’? Or has the second phase of discipleship come… time to go deeper in to the ways of the Lord?

Think about it…

Lord, help me to apply myself to You, Your ways and Your Word. Send the Holy Spirit to teach me and lead me. Fill me with You… that I might grow to be more and more faithful to You and Your ways. In Jesus’ name. Amen.