It is not difficult to understand that if one is to become proficient in any area, one must spend quality time within that area of study. One will not be allowed to work in the field of medicine, for instance, without proving competency in a specific area of medical practice. I believe that to be a very good thing!

We read of just such an approach in Ezra 7.10-11: For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. It is obvious that Ezra was determined to know what God had said and the application of that to the lives of his people.

We learn four things about Ezra: 1) he devoted himself to study the Law; 2) he devoted himself to keeping the Law; 3) he devoted himself to teaching how the Law was to be applied; and 4) he devoted himself to how Israel was to keep the Law. Here is a man committed to the learning his craft and the living out of the same.

We know a great deal about the character of Ezra from this—not the least of which is that even his captors recognized his wisdom: This is a copy of the letter King Artaxerxes had given to Ezra the priest and teacher, a man learned in matters concerning the commands and decrees of the LORD for Israel. Let us be as committed to learning our faith craft as was Ezra a student of his craft.