Old Testament Survey: The Book of Ezra

Keys to the Book Key words/phrases—Restoration and “house of the Lord.” ( temple ) God’s people in Babylonian captivity for 70 years Cyrus, King of Persia, defeated Babylon in 539 B.C. Issued a decree sending the Jews back to Jerusalem. Could rebuild the temple,

First Group Returns Zerubbabel and Jeshua led the first group—42,360 Jews. Returned home with the temple vessels taken by Nebuchadnezzar. First built an altar to worship God. Observed the Feast of Tabernacles. Began the task of rebuilding the temple.

The Temple Foundation Some shouted praises; the older ones wept. Samaritans offered to help with the rebuilding; the offer was refused. Samaritans worked to stop the rebuilding project. Counselors were sent to the Persian courts to halt the work. Work stopped under reign of King Ahasuerus ( Xerxes ).

Work Halted— Then Continued The temple work was halted for ten years. Prophets Haggai and Zechariah urged the people to continue. Persian governor Tattenai ordered a check of whether the work was authorized. Rebuilt with part of the Persian royal treasury. Temple rebuilt—Passover kept for the first time since captivity.

The Second Group Arrives 60 years later Ezra led the second group back. Ezra is priest and scribe. Has risen to a high position under King Artaxerxes. King sent money to be used in offering sacrifices, or for other things returned, including 240 Levites for the temple service. They delivered money to the temple officials.

Sin in the Camp! Ezra was informed that the people had intermarried. Even temple ministers had violated God’s law! Ezra was appalled. He went into deep mourning. At evening, he stood up and prayed before the people. Confessed Israel’s sins that had led to the captivity.

Repentance Demanded People were moved to tears by their conduct. Decided to put away their foreign wives and children. Ezra publicly charged them with this sin Appointed officers to make sure the foreign wives were put away. Within ten days, all the women had been put away, including the ones who had borne children.

Key Verses ‘Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, ‘Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem.’” {Ezra 1:1-3}

“On the first day of the first month he began his journey from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.” {Ezra 7:9,10} Key Verses

Captivity and Restoration Retribution Remembrance Repentance Return Resettlement Rebuilding Regression Revival Reformation Relief The Ten “Rs”

Lessons From Ezra 1.Results of neglecting to study and obey God’s word. Failure to heed led to captivity. Lack of knowledge led to destruction. Drifted into apostasy. Spiritual growth requires study.

2.Marrying outside of God’s family. Led to much grief and heartache The same problem caused Solomon to fall. Two people going in two different directions. Additional hardships. Lessons From Ezra

3.The power of preaching and true repentance. Three preachers helped to preserve the faithful remnant. Getting the law back into their hearts. Must preach the truth, and only true repentance can bring peace and security. Lessons From Ezra

4.The sorrow that sin always brings. Ezra confessed their sins. Ashamed of their conduct—no excuses! Their only hope was in returning to God’s ways. Lessons From Ezra

5.Divine providence in the book of Ezra. Jeremiah foretold the 70- year captivity. {Jere.25:12} Isaiah had named Cyrus {Isa.44:28} Persian rulers were more humane. Loyal work of people such as Daniel, Esther, and Nehemiah. Lessons From Ezra