Ezra and Psalm 119

Our lack of esteem for the Word of God stems from the fact that we do not see things as God sees them. When the nation of Judah returned from captivity, there was one man who saw things from a heavenly perspective. His name was Ezra. He is the author of Psalm 119. He was a treasure chest of God’s word. The heart in his chest was a treasure chest for the Word.

We look at the world through our heart. If our heart is longing for the things of this world, then we see the value of things from that perspective. (Colossians 3:1-2[notes1] ) If our desire is for the comfort of possessions and security of riches, then we interpret what we observe through that filter. That is the vision of fallen man because that is the heart of fallen man, self-reliance.

But for the children of God whose hearts are transformed, their eyes should see through that renewed heart. The heart of the believer values Jesus above all else. Nothing can compare or even come close. The old nature within us is tempted at times to seek satisfaction in the things that once satisfied us, and there is pleasure in sin for a season. The season quickly passes and then we are just left with the guilt of betraying our Savior for something so meaningless.

Ezra’s vision was one of faith. Though he did not know of the full revelation of Jesus, he saw the greatness of the coming Messiah in the Word. Jesus is the Word made flesh. (John 1:14[notes2] ) To love Him is to love the Word. He saw the value of the Word because his heart was set on God.

Listen to the value he placed on Scripture. Psalm 119:14 (ESV) ¹⁴ In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. Psalm 119:72 (ESV) ⁷² The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Psalm 119:127 (ESV) ¹²⁷ Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. He prayed that the lens of his heart would always be to value the word above all else. Psalm 119:36 (ESV) ³⁶ Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!

Ezra repeatedly used a number of descriptive words to describe his attitude toward God’s Word. He used terms like “my delight”, “long for”,  “stand in awe of”, and even “love exceedingly”.  Ezra was a treasure chest of God’s Word because his heart valued the Word so highly. He stored up that treasure in His heart. (Psalm 119:24[notes3] ; 47[notes4] ; 77[notes5] ; 40[notes6] ; 131[notes7] ; 120[notes8] ; 161[notes9] ; 167[notes10] )

The Word in his heart translated into action. It was because he saw the Word through that lens of his heart that he meditated in, kept, observed, sang about, found counsel in and comfort from it. 15[notes11] ; 48[notes12] ; 34[notes13] ; 172[notes14] ; 24[notes15] ; 52[notes16] )

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

[notes2] Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV)

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

[notes3] Psalm 119:24 (ESV)

24 Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.

[notes4] Psalm 119:47 (ESV)

47 for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love.

[notes5] Psalm 119:77 (ESV)

77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.

[notes6] Psalm 119:40 (ESV)

40 Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!

[notes7] Psalm 119:131 (ESV)

131 I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments.

[notes8] Psalm 119:120 (NIV)

120 My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.

[notes9] Psalm 119:161 (ESV)

161 SIN and SHIN Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.

[notes10] Psalm 119:167 (ESV)

167 My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly.

[notes11] Psalm 119:15 (ESV)

15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.

[notes12] Psalm 119:48 (ESV)

48 I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.

[notes13] Psalm 119:34 (ESV)

34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.

[notes14] Psalm 119:172 (ESV)

172 My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right.

[notes15] Psalm 119:24 (ESV)

24 Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.

[notes16] Psalm 119:52 (ESV)

52 When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O LORD.

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Ezra (Psalm 119)

There are television programs and magazine articles that tell of finding treasure amongst garage sale items. The unwitting seller has been living with some treasure handed down from previous generations but had no idea of the value of the item. The buyer is a savvy antique dealer looking for rare items of value. The story usually has the buyer unsure of the actual value and then shocked to find out it is worth even more than he dreamed. There is actually a proverb about this. ¹⁴ “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer; then off he goes and boasts about his purchase. Proverbs 20:14 (NIV)

The seller was living with a treasure and wasn’t aware of it. Unfortunately, that is how most Christians live with the Word of God. We are told it is a treasure, but we just don’t live like we believe it or test it to see its true value. We often say we believe it is the unfailing Word of God, His love letter to us, but then we rarely read it or make use of the treasure within. We are like the man living with the valuable antique not truly realizing its worth.

One couple bought an old fixer upper back East. As they were demolishing a wall, a huge cache of coins came pouring out. Apparently a former owner generations earlier had used the wall as a kind of safe, and had died without telling anyone about it. The coins were so old, and many so rare, that they more than paid for the purchase of the home. How many owners of that house had lived with a treasure and not even known it?

Jesus told a story about a man who found a treasure buried in a field. He went and sold everything he had to buy the field to obtain the treasure. (Matthew 13:44[notes1] ) Is that your attitude toward the Word of God? Do you realize the treasure that you are living with?

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

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A contemporary paraphrase of 1Cor 12:30b through chapter 13

There are all kinds of supernatural gifts that build up the believers, but let me show you the high road, the supreme way, the ultimate.

If I could speak twenty different languages, was a Greek and Hebrew scholar, and even speak the language of angels, but didn’t have love, it would all be just a bunch of loud noise.

If I had insights into Scripture that no one had ever seen, and was the world’s greatest Christian apologist, and even possessed faith that produced incredible results, if I didn’t have love, I’d be a big zero.

If I was so generous that I gave everything I had to the poor, and ran into a burning building to rescue someone and was burned alive in the process, if I didn’t do it out of love, I haven’t gained anything!

Look at Jesus’ patience (he put up with Judas for 3 years) and his kindness (would you have been so gentle with Peter or the demoniac). He never envied anyone, never boasted about His accomplishments. He was never rude. His behavior was always exemplary, never irritable or resentful. Even when some wrong could benefit him personally, He chose the way of truth.

He put up with whatever came at Him. He believed God no matter how things looked. He never gave up hope and endured the worst to the very end. That’s because real love is forever.

All the supernatural gifts of the Spirit are incomplete and will one day be unnecessary. When the fullness comes, the incomplete is no longer  needed. It’s like a person growing up. When they reach maturity they no longer talk, or think, or reason like they did when they were a little child.

Presently we are just getting a glimpse of the Love of God. One day we will look straight into His eyes! Now it’s like getting acquainted with a someone through emails. Then we will live intimately with Him in His presence.

There are three things that endure, faith, hope, and love, but love is the ultimate.

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