How does Ezra 7:10 connect with Psalm 119:11 about treasuring God's Word? The Anchor Verses “For Ezra had set his heart to study and to observe the Law of the LORD, and to teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel.” “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” A Shared Heartbeat • Both verses zoom in on the heart, not merely the mind. • Ezra “set his heart”; the psalmist “hidden Your word in my heart.” • The result in each case is a life guarded from sin and devoted to obedience. Three Movements in Ezra 7:10 1. Study – deliberate, disciplined inquiry into God’s Law. 2. Observe (practice) – translating study into personal obedience. 3. Teach – passing the truth on to others. Psalm 119:11 reflects the same flow. Hiding the word in the heart (study) leads to avoiding sin (practice) and, by implication, empowers faithful testimony (teach). Treasuring the Word • “Hidden” (Psalm 119:11) carries the sense of storing valuables in a safe place. • Ezra “set his heart,” choosing the same internal treasure chest. • Both writers show that treasuring Scripture is not passive; it involves purpose, protection, and priority. A Pattern for Us Today 1. Set the heart • Decide that Scripture is your ultimate authority (2 Timothy 3:16–17). 2. Store the word • Memorize, meditate, journal—let it dwell richly (Colossians 3:16). 3. Submit in obedience • Be doers, not hearers only (James 1:22). 4. Share with others • Teach faithfully, handling the word accurately (2 Timothy 2:15). Additional Scriptural Echoes • Joshua 1:8 – continual meditation leading to prosperous obedience. • Deuteronomy 6:6–7 – words on the heart, then taught diligently to children. • John 14:23 – love for Christ proven by keeping His word. Living Out the Connection By following Ezra’s rhythm—study, practice, teach—we actively “hide” God’s word in our hearts, just as the psalmist describes. The treasure within becomes a guard against sin, a guide for life, and a gift we share with those around us. |
    |