Ezra I
For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. (Ezra 7:10 ESV)
Focus
Ezra changed his world. He was involved in one of the most surprising restorations in the history of the world. Israel, alone of the lands locked into the Persian empire, got to go home. Exiled, they returned under Ezra’s staff.
And Ezra found the way to do that by focusing on God’s word. More knowledge was known in the Persian empire than anywhere on earth at that time. More military might was wielded in the Persian empire than anywhere in earth at that time. More wealth had accumulated in the Persian empire than anywhere in the earth at that time.
And Ezra found his plans, his solutions, his strategy, his success no where but in God’s word.
His focus was on Scripture… and the rest followed naturally after.
The same is true today. Theology is not the merely the top tier of education. Nor is theology opposed to nuclear physics, geology, history, sociology, psychology, economics, ecology, or any hard or soft science.
Focus on God, true focus, is the foundation of all knowledge.
Everything else derives from that. Start right, and like Ezra, you’ll finish well.