Ezra 7:10 (New King James Version)
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.

There’s an old saying that goes something like this: “Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach.”

You’ve probably gotten a chuckle out of this proverb at one time or another, or maybe you had a teacher who seemed to be its human fulfillment. But we all recognize that the most effective teachers are those who have more than just head knowledge about a subject: they also live what they teach.

Ezra was such a man. Ezra 7:10 gives us a bit of insight into his qualifications for leadership.

• First, his heart was in it: he had “prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD.”
• Secondly, he practiced what he preached.
• His teaching ministry flowed naturally out of these first two.

The result of Ezra’s ministry was a revival in Israel and a restoration of worship in the Jewish Temple.

We will never be effective in a teaching or preaching ministry until our heart and our actions line up with our words. Our sermons and Bible studies will be mere words unless they flow out of something inside us.

Perhaps we would be better off spending a little less time reading books, brushing up on Biblical languages or searching for that perfect sermon illustration, and more time “preparing our hearts” through prayer and practically living out our faith.

Lord, give us more Ezras in our day.