Improving Character

23 June 2024 PM – Text: Ezra 7:1-28 – Topic: Character
Introduction: A person’s true character is revealed by what he would do if he was positive that he would never get caught. Another revelation of true character is what a person will do under pressure or in a lustful temptation.
A woman may get a character score ten out of ten from the people at church, but she may only score a four around her children. A youth may get an award at school, but only earn a character score a two at home with his family. A man may receive a promotion at work for being a good worker, but his character may score a zero in secret, on the Internet, or behind closed doors. In 1 Samuel 16:7 we read, “… the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
How does your character measure up? If God, who sees your heart, gives you a poor character rating, your character needs improving.
Transition: Ezra was a man of exceptional character. When we see a person with fine character, we ought to identify his qualities and seek to implement them in our own lives. As we look at Ezra’s character qualities, I challenge you to ask God to improve your character.
1.     Ezra was willing to serve.
a.      He went up from Babylon (v.6)
1)         About 80 years had passed since the first exiles had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. The temple had been completed for about 60 years. Esther had been queen during part of those 60 years. Her husband’s son, Artaxerxes was now the king of Persia. Some think he may have been Esther’s son. Ezra was likely not even been born when the events of Ezra 1-6 took place.
2)         Being part of the family of Aaron the ancient priest, Ezra suddenly enters the pages of Scripture in Ezra 7:1 as the leader of another group of Jews returning to Israel.
3)         Having lived his entire life in Babylon, he is now willing to leave his place of birth and return to Israel. He seems to have had a good reputation before the king who sent him on this mission (v.11, 14).
b.      He moved to Jerusalem to serve the Lord.
1)         His move was not for personal gain, but in obedience to the king and to serve the Lord. He desired to put God first in his life. This willingness to sacrifice and serve the Lord is a mark of his character.
2)         God is looking for men and women today with this kind of character.
2.     Ezra was a ready scribe.
a.      He was a scribe.
1)         This title literally refers to one who counts, relates, or declares things.
2)         This Hebrew word is first found in Genesis 15:5 when God told Abraham to “count” the stars.
3)         It seems that the word came to refer to one who could recount or write down things as a secretary.
4)         It seems, at least in Ezra’s case, a scribe was an instructor or teacher of the Old Testament Law.
5)         Every Christian parent needs to be a scribe of the Bible. The primary duty of instructing children in the Word of God belongs to his or her parents, especially dad.
b.      God called him a ready scribe.
1)         This word speaks of one who was skilled, well-versed, or expert in his work.
2)         Becoming an expert at anything takes time and practice. Ezra was not a beginner. He had been working as a scribe long enough to become an expert at it.
a)         To become a skilled expert in understanding and teaching the Scriptures, Ezra must have spent hours poring over God’s Word.
b)         He would have read it, memorised much of it, meditated often upon it, and prayed over the interpretation and application of it. This speaks volumes about his character.
3)         Could God call you a ready scribe of His Word? Do you daily read the Word for both information and application in your own life? Are you working to memorise portions of it? If you are a parent, are you following a plan for regularly instilling the Word in your children’s hearts? God gives this duty to parents not to the local church.
3.     Ezra had God’s hand upon him.
Another way to say this is that God blessed his activities.
a.      As evidence, the king granted all his requests.
1)         Did Ezra request to go back to Jerusalem, or did the king assign him the task? We cannot be certain as both may have been true. Ezra, the leader of the expedition, made several requests of the king (v.6). These the king granted.
2)         Ezra gave all the glory to the Lord.
3)         “The measure which this document [Ezra 7:12-26] authorized, and the remarkable interest in the Jews displayed in it, was most probably owing to the influence of Esther, the king’s mother, who had imbued her son with favourable dispositions toward the Jews.” JFB
b.      Another evidence, they arrived safely in Jerusalem.
1)         See verse 8-9. “Ezra’s journey began in the spring and was completed in midsummer, fourteen weeks later.” Stan Evers, Doing a Great Work, p.66.
2)         God’s hand was upon him to keep him and his company safe during that long trip.
3)         Why was God’s good hand upon Ezra? Why was God blessing his activities? He was doing the work God wanted him to do. He was obedient. He had a flourishing relationship with God. We see this in verse 10. God approved of his character.
4)         It ought to be our passion to live a life pleasing in the sight of the Lord so that he will place his good hand on our activities.
4.     Ezra prepared his heart spiritually.
a.      He prepared his heart to seek God’s Word.
1)         He prepared his heart or his inner man to seek God’s Law.
2)         When you ladies prepare a meal, or you men prepare a report, or you students prepare an assignment, it does not just happen. You must put effort into it.
3)         What does preparing one’s heart to seek God’s word require?
a)         It requires time.
b)         It requires study.
c)         It requires diligence.
d)         It requires humility.
4)         This was true for Ezra, and it is also true for you and me.
b.      He prepared his heart to do God’s Word.
1)         Few Christians faithfully prepare their hearts to seek God’s Word, and fewer still actually apply it to their lives and do it.
2)         Ezra did not read and study the Scriptures just for information; he also did it for application.
3)         Have you ever realised that you must prepare your heart to DO what God says? Why would this be? Could it not be because our hearts are naturally selfish, stubborn, rebellious and unwilling to obey God’s Word?
4)         I think that preparing the heart to DO God’s Word involves meditation and prayer. It also involves submission, love for God, faith in God, and a desire to please God. We must prepare our hearts for these.
c.       He prepared his heart to teach God’s Word.
1)         It is difficult (as well as hypocritical) to teach something that you do not practice yourself.
2)         Good teachers pour their hearts into their teaching. Can you think of a teacher you have had who did just that?
3)         As we teach our children the Word, share it with friends, or witness it to unbelievers, we ought to be living it and letting it shine in our lives.
4)         Ezra was that kind of teacher. He was a man of excellent character.
Conclusion: The Holy Spirit recorded these character qualities of Ezra in Scripture for us to read and imitate. He was willing to serve. He was a ready scribe. He had God’s hand upon him. He prepared his heart spiritually. Do these character qualities describe your character? If not, I urge you ask God to help you develop them!
Song: Cleanse Me – 166