EZRA Rebuilding the Nation: Part 1

EZRA: The Book Named for “Ezra the Scribe” (also a priest) In Hebrew, Ezra-Nehemiah is one book Continues the story of Chronicles (compare 2 Chron 36:22-23 to Ez 1:1-4) Reports Jews’ return from Exile under permission of Persian rulers Time span = approx B.C. Written partly in 3 rd person & partly in 1 st

EZRA: Major Characters Ezra – Scribe & priest who leads a group of returned exiles to re-build the Temple & restore worship Zerubabbel – Governor who is military & political leader Cyrus, Darius, Ahasuerus, & Artaxerses – Persian rulers who facilitate the return & re-building Bishlam, Mithredath & Tabeel – Leaders of “people of the land” who oppose the re-building Haggai & Zechariah – prophets who encourage re-building Priests & Levites – Sent to re-institute worship in the Temple, but are guilty of intermarrying with foreign (idolatrous) women

EZRA: Plot & Major Events Israel’s path to renewal begins with Cyrus’ decree that exiles may return & re-build the Temple Approx. 50,000 return Altar is re-built on the ruins of the foundation of the former Temple “People of the Land” oppose the re-building & temporarily stop it Re-building resumes with the urging of Haggai & Zechariah Temple is completed & dedicated Ezra learns that many Israelites (including priests & Levites) have married foreign women The people confess their sins & put away their foreign wives & children

EZRA: Main Themes God’s promised restoration of Israel will be fulfilled The Jewish people must purify themselves & become holy through worship, the covenant, & dissolving idolatrous alliances Godly leaders are necessary to keep the people focused on the task at hand

EZRA: Key Verse “Then rose up the heads of the fathers’ houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the Lord that is at Jerusalem.” Ezra 1:5

EZRA: Lessons for Today God works by “________ ____ our spirits,” but we must be willing to be stirred. The accomplishing of God’s will may be over a _________ period of time, & is not without _______________. We can always expect _____________ to anything good, but shouldn’t let the ____________ stop us. Holiness sometimes requires ___________ measures.