The book of Ezra-Nehemiah is a call to spiritual reformation. Rebuilding the city of David is not enough. God's people must also live according to God's ways. The book casts the theme of reformation in several ways. First, the LORD uses civil leaders to bless his people and curb evil. Second, the need for reformation is constant as the people continue to fall back into old sins. Third, the ministry of God's Word is the principal means of reform. While the glory of Israel was restored for a season, Jerusalem's temple was rebuilt, and the walls repaired, the greater and constant need of God's people is to be built up by the ministry of God's Word. We are ever in need of reformation. As we turn to the New Testament, we discover this greater truth. God uses the ministry of his gospel preachers to save, strengthen, and reform his church (cf. Acts 2:14ff; Eph. 4:11; Titus 1:9; 2 Tim. 2:2; 4:2). Until Christ returns and ushers us into the eternal city, the church will be in continual need of reformation. Not a reform to new ideas, but a reform that calls us back to the ancient and authentic ways, to the Word of God. |
