The Book of Ezra

The Book of Ezra, named after its main protagonist and traditionally considered its author, is the 15th book of the Bible. Ezra covers a period from 538 BC to 457 BC, revolving around the return of the Jews from the Babylonian captivity. It is a historical book that describes the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Jews returned from their exile. The Book of Ezra is likely written around 440 BC. Notable people in the book include King Cyrus of Persia, who decreed the return of the Jews; Zerubbabel, who led the first group of returnees and started the rebuilding of the Temple; and Ezra, the priest-scribe who led the second group of returnees, reestablished the Law among the people and completed the Temple.

Background of Ezra

The Book of Ezra, along with the Book of Nehemiah, was originally a single work, referred to collectively as Ezra. This singular book was later divided into two for easier reading and reference. In its entirety, Ezra-Nehemiah serves as a comprehensive narrative of the return of the Jews from the Babylonian captivity and the subsequent restoration of Jerusalem, including the rebuilding of the Temple (covered in Ezra) and the rebuilding of the city walls (covered in Nehemiah)

The themes of the Book of Ezra are the sovereignty of God, faithfulness to the Law, and the centrality of worship. The returnees face opposition in their effort to reestablish the Mosaic Law and rebuild the Temple. This highlights their struggle to preserve Jewish identity and maintain the purity of worship against external cultural and religious pressures.

The Book of Ezra describes the first two returns of exiles from Babylon, under the leadership of Zerubbabel and then Ezra himself. These returns mark significant milestones in Jewish history, as they represent the fulfillment of God’s promise to restore His people to their homeland after a specified period of exile. This period of restoration was not without challenges, however, as the book narrates the opposition faced by the returnees in their rebuilding efforts.

Outline of Ezra

Return Under Cyrus (Ezra 1:1-11): King Cyrus of Persia allows the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild their Temple. He also returns the sacred vessels stolen from the Temple by Nebuchadnezzar.
Rebuilding of the Temple Begins (Ezra 2:1–4:5): Led by Zerubbabel, the first group of exiles returns. They lay the foundations of the Temple, but the work is halted due to opposition from neighboring peoples.
Completion of the Temple (Ezra 4:24–6:22): The Temple work resumes under the Persian King Darius and is eventually completed and dedicated.
Return Under Ezra (Ezra 7:1–10:44): Ezra leads the second group of returnees. He reestablishes the Law, leads the people in a covenant renewal, and deals with the issue of intermarriage among the returned exiles.

Biblical Timeline

538 BC: King Cyrus issues decree allowing Jews to return to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1-4).
536 BC: Foundation of the Temple is laid (Ezra 3:8-10).
520-515 BC: Work on the Temple resumes and is completed (Ezra 6:14-15).
457 BC: Ezra arrives in Jerusalem (Ezra 7:7-8).

Practical Lessons from Ezra

God’s Sovereignty (Ezra 1:1): Even in the midst of exile and despair, God moves the heart of a pagan king to fulfill His promises. It’s a reminder of God’s control over all situations and authorities.
Perseverance in the face of Opposition (Ezra 4:1-5): When the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard about the rebuilding of the Temple, they attempted to disrupt the process. Despite facing significant opposition, the Jewish people did not abandon their task. This shows us that even when we face opposition in our lives, we must remain committed to our purpose and trust in God’s plan.
The Importance of Scripture (Ezra 7:10): Ezra devoted himself to studying, doing, and teaching the Law. It encourages believers to engage with Scripture in the same way: to learn it, live it, and teach it to others.
Personal Preparation for Teaching (Ezra 7:10): Before Ezra took on the role of teaching statutes and laws to Israel, he first dedicated himself to studying and observing the law of the LORD. This can be a reminder for anyone in a position of teaching or influence to first take the time to thoroughly understand and internalize the lessons they wish to impart
God’s Faithfulness and Provision (Ezra 7:27-28): Despite the challenging circumstances, Ezra took the time to praise God for His kindness and for stirring the heart of the king to bring about good for the Israelites. The lesson here is to always remember and acknowledge God’s faithfulness and provision, even in difficult times.
The Power of Corporate Prayer and Confession (Ezra 9:5-15): When Ezra became aware of the Jewish people’s disobedience, he publicly confessed their sins to God and prayed for their forgiveness. This passage teaches us the power of acknowledging our wrongdoings and seeking God’s mercy not only in our private prayers but also as a community.
Repentance and Reconciliation (Ezra 10:1-12): When confronted with the sin of intermarriage, the people confessed and took steps to reconcile with God. It highlights the importance of repentance and making right with God when we have sinned.

Additional Notes

Extrabiblical Support for Ezra

The Cyrus Cylinder: Discovered in 1879, the Cyrus Cylinder confirms Cyrus’s policy of allowing exiled peoples to return to their homelands and restore their places of worship. Although it doesn’t specifically mention the Jews or the Temple in Jerusalem, it provides historical context for the events in Ezra.

The Elephantine Papyri: This collection of ancient Jewish documents from a community in Egypt, mentions a Passover celebration similar to the one described in Ezra 6:19-22, suggesting a connection in practice between these distant Jewish communities in the Persian period.