Practical Examples from the Lives of Ezra and Nehemiah

Here is another of my assignments for school. The assignment was to draw from the lives of Ezra and Nehemiah two examples of lessons practical for us today.

I hope you enjoy it...

Both Ezra and Nehemiah offer us practical examples of wisdom for living.  Because both were dedicated in their love for the Living God, they each lived lives that can still serve as ideals for us today.  These models were bred out of lives which were lived each day in the light of the Lord. They were neither haphazard nor accidental, but rather they were habits which were formed in the lives of these men.

Ezra, for example had “devoted himself to studying, obeying, and teaching the Law,” and so “the hand of the Lord was upon him.” (Ezra 7:9-10)  What I find most important for today is that he not only studied and taught, he also obeyed.  In today’s culture, we tend to find those who study God’s Word and teach God’s Word, but all too often dismiss the obedience part by suggesting that we “live in a different time,” or “we are under grace.”

Also, Ezra clearly saw the sin of the people as SIN and mourned over their disobedience. He recognized their sin as “our” sin, acknowledging that we are one body and if one part of the body is sick, then the whole body is sick. He therefore confessed the sin corporately and sought corporate resolution (Ezra 9:6-13)  He sought the holiness of the whole of the body. (Ezra 10:2-4) Even in the New Testament we are instructed not to be unequally yoked with a non-believer. Would we have the courage to urge a brother or sister in Christ to not marry a non-believer?

Nehemiah was a man of prayer, who showed utmost confidence in God. Immediately upon hearing Jerusalem was in ruins, he prayed (Nehemiah 1:4-11).  Before answering Artaxerxes, he prayed (Neh 2:4-5).  He encouraged the people to put their faith in God. (Neh 4:14)

He was thoughtful and thorough before taking any action.  Before answering Artaxerxes he prayed rather than blurt a response. As one who tends to speak first and ask questions later, I take this as a personal exhortation. Also, before approaching the leaders of Jerusalem about rebuilding the wall, he toured the ruins and prayerfully considered a strategy. (Neh 2:11-16)

Finally, Nehemiah was a man of good character.  He did not cower in fear by going to the Holy Place when suggested by Shemaiach. (Neh 6:10-14) Because he was in the habit of prayer, he was able to say “I saw that God had not sent him, but he made this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.” Nehemiah further displayed his good character in that he worked with the men (Neh 5:16) and he was generous; he loaned to needy Jews without charging interest (Neh 5:10) and he fed 150 of his workers.(Neh 5:14)