1 And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the LORD had given to Israel. 2 Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month. 3 He read from it before the square which was in front of the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the book of the law. 4 Ezra the scribe stood at a wooden podium which they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand; and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam on his left hand. 5 Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 Then Ezra blessed the LORD the great God. And all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. 7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, explained the law to the people while the people remained in their place. 8 They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.” (Nehemiah 8:1–8, NASB 95)
As our passage makes abundantly clear, good Bible preaching and teaching from skilled individuals who are called by God is nothing new. God expected His people to understand the commands He had given. So He appointed people who would accurately bring His message so that people wouldn’t remain in the shadows of ignorance but would live in the light of His Word.
Why is this important for us in the New Testament church?
Ezra isn’t an outlier in the biblical record. God did the same for us through Bible-teaching leaders in the church. Paul said to Timothy…
“The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2, NASB 95)
Keep in mind. This is one pastor speaking to another pastor about raising up other pastors. In other words, God commanded through Paul that Timothy continue the search for those who will diligently and faithfully bring God’s commands to the forefront so that God’s people know how to be faithful.
Paul isn’t introducing a new concept. God has always done it this way. He always wants a new generation to know what He wants. To that end, He raises up preachers to proclaim that.
Now, back to our passage. We can see how important preaching is simply by looking at how God emphasized it in the life of His people. He made it central in their lives. Public instruction played an integral part in the life of Israel. Ezra was a product of that need for public education.
Public Preaching and Teaching Are an Important Part of Our Faith
At this point, let me make one other side note. This doesn’t mean that our faith doesn’t carry with it a personal component. Personal devotions and prayer are important to spiritual growth.
However, it also must be stated that a person can grow on a personal level but never grow beyond that if he isn’t challenged by those with more knowledge. That’s why preaching is important. It’s something that God provides through people who specialize in a clear understanding of the Word.
This is the reason why Ezra existed. He wasn’t there by chance or even necessity. He was there because God wanted him there.
God provides Bible teachers.
Effective Bible teachers and preachers are never a product of chance. They are endowed with spiritual qualities so that they can teach. In short, God chooses those who teach by empowering them with abilities He gives.
That was certainly the case in Ezra’s day. He was a priest who came from a long line of priests. He taught because that was one of the responsibilities of priests.
Who chose those priests? To answer this, we would have to go back to the Old Testament law. We have neither time nor space to do so. We’ll just make it simple. It was God’s law. It was God’s choice. He chose those who would teach.
And all those other guys who were helping? They were chosen teachers who knew how to instruct. Along with Ezra, they had God’s approval to bring the spiritual meal of His Word to the masses.
In other words, God raises up whom He will to teach and preach.
That is certainly the case in the New Testament as well. In Ephesians we find Paul discussing ministry. He makes this interesting statement:
“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers.” (Ephesians 4:11, NASB 95)
This statement comes in the middle of an explanation of spiritual gifts. These gifts come from the Holy Spirit alone. In other words, when it says “He (God) gave,” it means God gave all these, including the ability to pastor and teach.
God gives preachers and teachers.
So What?
Ezra and his ministry team of Bible expositors stands as only one of many examples of God choosing and equipping those He wants in ministry. There are many other examples we don’t have time for like Gideon, Peter, Paul and others.
Despite so much to study on this subject, there is a lot of confusion in the church today regarding this area of ministry. It seems too many believe they are qualified to teach simply because they have an educational degree or were told by someone they would make a good teacher.
But those things, albeit good in certain instances, aren’t what defines a good Bible teacher or preacher. God has very specific qualifications in mind that any individual must meet. If they don’t, it doesn’t matter how humanly qualified they may be. They aren’t God’s choice.
God chooses who is qualified and who isn’t. Preachers and teachers may be recognized by human beings. It is God who chooses those teachers.
But what do those who are qualified teach? That will be the subject of our next study.
Journeys of a Former Firebrand 
Leave a comment