Ezra

The book of Ezra contains the account of one of the most important periods in the history of Gods people. It contains the account of the return of a remnant of Jews from Babylonian captivity. Jeremiah not only warned of comin captivity! but prophesied a return after "# years $Jer. %&'(#)(*+. durin the seventy years! ,aniel and Ezekiel had been prophets to the captives. -olitical chan es had occurred durin those years. Babylon had fallen! and the .edes and the -ersians ruled the world. /yrus! who had been prophesied of by Isaiah! (## years before he was born $Isaiah **'%01 *2'()*+! was rulin over -ersia! and became a tool in Gods hands for the fulfillin of 3is 4ord! and implementin the return of the Jews. This book ives us the account of that return! and of the rebuildin of the temple. 5olomons temple had been destroyed by 6ebuchadnezzar. Ezra covers a period of about one hundred years. There are two main divisions of the book' $(+ The story of the return under 7erubbabel! and the rebuildin of the temple $chapters ()8+! and then after si9ty years! $%+ The story of the comin of Ezra and the work he undertook. 5o! we will consider this book around these two men. (A) ZERUBBABEL - 3e was the randson of Jehoakim! and no doubt! was born in captivity! and raised up by od to lead the people back. The time had come ) seventy years had elapsed. God is never late! and seldom early. 3es always on time. God used /yrus $('()2+! to challen e the people to return. :nly a small remnant responded! less than ;#!###. The rest were content to stay. They were prosperin financially! and did not want to face the hardships of a return to Jerusalem. Those who did not return were char ed to help those who were oin $('*+. The vessels that 6ebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple were iven to 7erubbabel $('")((+. /hapter two ives us a list of those who returned. 5everal thin s are worth notin ! in chapters three and four! concernin the people! and the buildin of the temple. $(+ There was a unity of purpose ) 2'( ) <as one man=. $%+ >irst! they built the altar ) 2'% ) This was the place where they met with God. It took top priority. $2+ The foundation of the temple was laid ) 2'0)(2 ) This caused reat re?oicin amon the people! with the e9ception of the elderly men! who were disappointed by its size. 5ome of the elderly could remember the temple of 5olomon which was built when the nation was at its hei ht. $*+ The work was hindered. 4e may always e9pect opposition when we attempt to forward Gods purposes. >irst! there was the temptation to compromise $*'()2+! and then outri ht opposition $*'*);+. >inally! @rta9er9es ave a decree that the work cease $*'%*+. The people then turned their attention to their own matters! and became so en rossed in them! that they for ot about the purpose of their return! namely! to rebuild the temple. God then sent the prophets 3a ai and 7echariah $;'(+! to stir them up. Aead 3a ai chapter one! for a clear picture of the conditions and attitudes of the people. 5purred on by these prophets! 7erubbabel be an to build the house of God $;'%+! and soon it was completed $;'(;+. There was a reat dedication! and once a ain! the Jews had a temple. This temple was still standin when Jesus came. (B) EZRA - Between chapters si9 and seven! there is an interval of at least si9ty years. 6o record of the events of this time are iven. ,urin this period! the events of the book of Esther transpire! and ive us a limpse of those Jews who remained in -ersia. Ezra was a remarkable man. Ezra "'(# says! <...for Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Bord! and to do it! and to teach in Israel statutes and ?ud ement.= 3e was a reat lover of Gods 4ord. 3e is the author of -salm ((& that speaks so much about Gods 4ord. Ezra! with a roup of about ("##! leaves -ersia to o to Jerusalem. 4hen he arrives! he is appalled by the corruption of the people. They were en a in in the very sins that had caused their forefathers to o into captivity. The leaders in these

sins were the priests! Bevites! and rulers. They were intermarryin with the heathen $&'()%+. Ezra was shocked by what he saw. 3e e9pressed his rief by rendin his arments! and by pluckin hair from his head and beard. In chapter nine $verses ;)(;+! Ezra pours out a prayer of confession. it will be important for you to read it. 3e identified himself with his people. 3is spirit touched the people! and they too! wept over their sins $(#'(+. The remainder of the chapter contains the account of the Jews turnin from their sins. They were an9ious now to avoid the ?ud ement of God $(#'(*+. /onfession always brin s for iveness.