“And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” (Ezra 7:8-10, ESV)
On many occasions people have said that they wish they knew the Bible like the preacher or Bible class teacher did. They state that they wish they could understand or talk to others about the various aspects of the Scriptures like someone else. The truth is, you can! The only thing that stands between you and being able to accomplish that task is having the heart of Ezra.
Verse 10 says that Ezra “set his heart.” The word “set” comes from the Hebrew word “kun” and it means, “to establish, to make firm.” Ezra established in his heart that he was going to study the law, do it, and be able to teach others about it. He did not come ready-packed with that knowledge out of the womb, he worked diligently to learn God’s Word so that he could teach it to others.
Most people that say they wish they knew the Bible better only mean it as a fanciful thought. Those that truly desire to learn will put their hearts into it and will accomplish the task. On one occasion, a woman met a well-known preacher at the door and told him, “I wish I knew the Bible like you, but it would take me half my life.” He responded, “I know, that is how long it has taken me.”
We should have that desire to know and understand God’s Word, like newborn babies have the desire for mama’s milk (1 Peter 2:2). But do we have the will of heart to follow through?