THE EZRA LEGACY
The Ezra Scribal Legacy
In this session, we will go deeper in understanding the THE EZRA PATTERN and how to apply it to our lives. We will also take a closer look at his contributions, and fortify why "The Ezra Pattern" must be a core part of your scribal program.
Adobe Image. Used with permission.
THE EZRA PATTERN
The Ezra Legacy is at the very core of understanding The Scribal Anointing®. After all, its where we make the connection of Ezra as a scribe in the Kingdom of God to Christ's parable of becoming scribes instructed in the Kingdom of Heaven.
This teaching is a continuation of what you have already learned from the session, “Embracing the Present-Day Scribe."
The Ezra Pattern, as I teach it, is the legacy Ezra imparted to us through his life as an instructed scribe in the Kingdom of God. We are examining the administration of his scribal command, reflecting upon his heart for the Lord and fortifying the message of Matthew 13:52 AND Matthew 13:34. Go ahead and reread those passages. I firmly believe Christ wants us to remember how well Ezra was “instructed” concerning the intention of the Lord and to understand that our primary mandate is impart this understanding into the hearts of those we lead.
As you reflect this week, consider how much you have learned and how much of that has been imparted into you already.
You see, so many prophetic scribes are operating outside of the Lord’s intention. Entire ministries are established solely around giftings and callings -- but lack immersive connection to likeness and image. People are wrapped up in merchandising, branding and looking the part, but offer no consolation of character in Christ. Our priorities, on many fronts, are HUGELY flawed.
Many in this generation (those living at this time) seek after the hand of the Lord (his gifting, calling ability, wealth, popularity, etc.), but despise the requirements of sonship. Scribes are critical in restoring the heart of the son back to THE FATHER. The question we must ask ourselves is this: "Do we really want to be likeness and image?" If the answer is yes, this means that we must be willing to move past popular theology and man-made revelation, and into the INTENTION OF CHRIST. He has one goal: To reconcile ALL THINGS TO HIM... not to people. We equip and raise up sons for GOD, not sons for men.
Shortly, we will be shifting our conversation to the PROPHETIC scribe. So far, we've focused on clearing defining the historical scribe, merging that understanding with the present day scribe and setting the scribal office within the scribal government in order. But it's time to shift now to the PROPHETIC understanding of the scribe. So let's gear up!
One more thing: It is IMPERATIVE for us to understand that the PROPHETIC always points back to the Lord and empowers us to present ourselves in excellent spirit unto him. We see this pattern in everything whether scribes were released in difficult corporate situations like Joseph or like Esther, or were setting doctrine for the congregation like Paul. Ezra’s life was one in which ALL THINGS were done unto the Lord in all humility and authority... for the purpose of reconciling all things.
Ezra epitomized what it means to be INSTRUCTED – living by obedience to the burden and intention of the Lord!
The Scribal Anointing® is not simply about a prophetic “move” to write, record, teach or access revelatory realms.
The Scribal Anointing® is not simply about “feeling called” into a secret place to hear God and enter a prophetic flow.
The Scribal Anointing® is not simply about exceptional talent and ability to perform under a scribal grace or mantle.
The Scribal Anointing® is not simply about publishing.
The Scribal Anointing is not simply about THE GIFT and the physical and visible aspects of the gift.
The mature mantle of The Scribal Anointing® doesn’t rest in ANY OF THINGS! It is about the MANIFESTED PRESENCE OF THE LORD IN US to accomplish His will through divine effort in the earth. We need to see that The Scribal Anointing® may include gifts, talents and callings, but that the heart of the call is the intention of the gift-giver -- OUR FATHER.
The seal of the scribe is this: To be instructed in the Lord’s will and intention for His Bride in heaven and in the earth in whatever scribal capacity one is called.
THE INTENTION & HOPE OF SCRIBAL MINISTRY
The INTENTION of scribal ministry upon Ezra’s life was to ROOT people in their knowledge and commitment to the Lord. He was tasked with reviving the nation of Israel in the WORD. He wasn't simply an educator, but a teacher, preserver and protector of the history and legacy of the people. His love for God was so great that it SEALED his passion to ensuring that God's Word would never be forgotten. He wanted to make sure the MESSAGE OF GOD was passed down from generation to generation to the people.
Listen, God’s intention has not changed from Genesis to Revelations. All roads lead to this one place: Restoring a selfless family that stands as one with Him based on the tenets of Christ.
Ezra didn’t just teach the people and perform priestly duties!
In his assignment as a sold-out, uncompromising priest and scribe (a scribal commander), He created a sustainable educational system within his community in which he instituted discipleship, interpretation of scripture, judicial processes, worship protocols and even an educational order among an exiled people within his scribal measure. In my book, “The Scribal Anointing®, I mentioned some of His major accomplishments on pages 43 & 44. But it should be noted that Ezra equipped other scribes to teach the people – thus establishing a solid educational system that continued from his day into the time of Christ.
As far as I AM CONCERNED... AND THE SCHOOL OF THE SCRIBE.... Ezra is the person who began the "school of ministry" push on a global scale among the people of the Bible. Yes, prophets had schools.... but they were specific to prophets. Ezra's school was focused on RAISING UP TEACHERS TO TEACH.... RAISING UP SCRIBES TO TEACH. It's been right there in the scriptures ALL ALONG and so many have missed it.
It should also be noted that Ezra was ACADEMIC and FULLY PROPHETIC. By academic, we must acknowledge his educational background as both a "priest and a scribe." He also had a solid history of the church, the people in the church and the people abroad. He understood educational administration and developed a working system rooted in preservation and instruction. Ezra was concerned with scholarship!
Does this mean scribes should be academic? No, not necessarily. Most scribes will never be scholars at the level of Ezra-types in our lives. Yet, however, we all have a part to play. Ezra could be considered a "scribal commander" when we reflect upon The Scribal Anointing. Not many people have such a call. What this does indicate, however, is that there should be an expectation of excellence of Spirit of spirit and skill among prophetic scribes.
EZRA WAS CLEARLY AND INDISPUTABLY A PROPHETIC SCRIBE!
EVERY CALLED SCRIBE HAS A PART TO PLAY
God uses every part of who we are as scribes! We love the Lord with our HEART, our SOUL and with our MINDS. Our humanity, what makes us people, loves God. We do not simply love him “in Spirit” but with our whole being (our nephesh). God is looking for an IMMERSED, SELFLESS PEOPLE to serve Him. Not self-serving, greedy people who see scribal ministry selfishly.
Matthew 22:37 NIV, “Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Ezra was a scribal commander, an uncompromising, sold-out priest and scribe in charge of governmental mandates and functions that affected a nation of people. Scribal commanders are often charged with nurturing and equipping other commanders with the intent of duplicating themselves within those of a similar calling and educating, guiding others through educational systems and teaching in the way of the Lord.
While everyone does not fit the concept of a scribal commander, there is a standard of righteousness and holiness set before them as prophetic scribes. Those standards include living the "instructed life" according to "The Ezra Pattern." We are all called to serve the Lord in some way, but that way must be pure and holy as the Lord is holy.
RESOURCES:
Learn about the Nephesh, the Hebrew understanding of our inner-being.
Article, We must be Immersed!
The Biography of Ezra (Read for historical understanding from a cultural, Jewish perspective)
Ezra, Bible Prophet