The Book of
EZRA
Author: Probably Ezra
Date: 538–457 B.C.
Theme: Exiles’ Return toJerusalem and Temple Reconstruction
Key Words: Build, the Hand of the Lord, the House of God
Author. The Book of Ezra, whose name likely means “The Lord Has Helped,” derives its title from the chief character of chapters 7–10. We cannot be totally sure whether Ezra himself compiled the book or it was compiled by an unknown editor. The generally accepted conservative view is that Ezra compiled or wrote this book, along with 1 and 2 Chronicles and Nehemiah. The Hebrew Bible recognized Ezra-Nehemiah as a single book.
Ezra himself was a “priest, (a) scribe, expert in the words of the commandments of the LORD” (7:11). He led the second of three groups returning to Jerusalem from Babylon. A devout man, he firmly established the Law (the Pentateuch) as the basis of faith (7:10).
Occasion and Date. The events in Ezra cover slightly more than eighty years and fall into two distinct segments. The first segment (chs. 1–6) covers some twenty-three years, dealing with the first postexilic return under Zerubbabel and the reconstruction of the temple.
Following over sixty years in Babylonian captivity, God moves the heart of the ruler of Babylon, King Cyrus of Persia, to issue an edict stating that willing Jews can return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and city. A faithful group responds and departs in 538 B.C. under Zerubbabel. Temple construction is begun, but opposition from the non-Jewish inhabitants discourages the people and they cease their work. God then raises up the prophetic ministries of Haggai and Zechariah who call the people to complete the task. Though far less splendid than the previous temple of Solomon, the new temple is completed and dedicated in 515 B.C.
Nearly sixty years later (458 B.C.), another group of exiles returns to Jerusalem under the leadership of Ezra (chs. 7–10). They are sent by the then reigning Persian king, Artaxerxes, with additional monies and valuables to enhance the temple worship. Ezra is also commissioned to appoint leaders in Jerusalem to oversee the people.
Once in Jerusalem, Ezra assumes the ministry of spiritual reformer for what was probably only one year. After that he likely lived as an influential private citizen into the time of Nehemiah. A devout priest, he finds an Israel which has adopted many of the pagan inhabitants’ practices; he calls Israel to repentance and to a renewed submission to the Law, even to the point of divorcing their pagan wives.
Content. Two major messages emerge from Ezra: God’s faithfulness and man’s unfaithfulness.
God had promised through Jeremiah (25:12) that the Babylonian captivity would be limited in duration. In His ordained time, He faithfully keeps this promise and stirs the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia to issue an edict for the exiles to return (1:1–4). He then faithfully provides leadership (Zerubbabel and Ezra), and the exiles are sent off with booty, including items that had been taken from Solomon’s temple (1:5–10).
When the people become discouraged because of the enemies’ mockings, God faithfully raises up Haggai and Zechariah to encourage the people to complete the task. Their encouragement proves successful (5:1, 2).
Finally, when the people stray from the truths of God’s word, He faithfully sends a devout priest who artfully instructs the people in the truth, calling them to confession of sin and repentance from their evil ways (chs. 9; 10).
God’s faithfulness is contrasted with the people’s unfaithfulness. In spite of their return and divine promises, they allow their enemies to discourage them and they temporarily give up (4:24). Then, having completed their task so they can worship in their own temple (6:16–18), the people become faithless to the commandments of God; an entire generation is raised up whose “iniquities have risen higher than our heads” (9:6). However, as noted above, God’s faithfulness triumphs in each situation.
Personal Application. The messages of Ezra are a constant reminder of how easily God’s people can lose heart and their distinctives. God is fulfilling His promises. In spite of this, covenant people easily forget His promises and the moral distinctives that are to characterize “a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people” (1 Pet. 2:9). When this happens God’s plans are delayed. Erring saints cannot totally thwart God’s sovereign plans, but they can delay or frustrate them. God is greater than we, and He does have ways of transcending our shortcomings. However, He wants us to walk in obedience so that His plans can be fulfilled as originally revealed.
Christ Revealed. Ezra himself foreshadows Christ by the life he lives and the roles he fulfills. Three particulars stand out.
1) As one who “had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it” (7:10), Ezra reminds us of Christ’s description of Himself as the One who ardently obeys the Father (John 5:19).
2) As “the priest” (7:11), Ezra foreshadows Christ’s role as the “great High Priest” (Heb. 4:14).
3) As the great spiritual reformer who calls Israel to repentance (ch. 10), Ezra typifies Christ’s messianic role as the reshaper of Israel’s spiritual perspectives, including a call away from dead traditionalism and moral impurity (Matt. 11:20–24; 23).
The Holy Spirit at Work. The working of the Holy Spirit in Ezra is clearly seen in the providential moving of God to fulfill His promises. This is indicated by the phrase “the hand of the LORD,” which occurs six times.
It would have been by His Spirit that “the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus” (1:1) and “turned the heart of the king of Assyria” (6:22). It would also have been by the Holy Spirit that “Haggai and Zechariah ... prophesied to the Jews” (5:1).
The work of the Holy Spirit is clearly seen in Ezra’s personal life, both in terms of working in him, “Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD” (7:10), and on his behalf, “the king granted him all his request” (7:6).
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
EZRA
Author: Probably Ezra
Date: 538–457 B.C.
Theme: Exiles’ Return toJerusalem and Temple Reconstruction
Key Words: Build, the Hand of the Lord, the House of God
Author. The Book of Ezra, whose name likely means “The Lord Has Helped,” derives its title from the chief character of chapters 7–10. We cannot be totally sure whether Ezra himself compiled the book or it was compiled by an unknown editor. The generally accepted conservative view is that Ezra compiled or wrote this book, along with 1 and 2 Chronicles and Nehemiah. The Hebrew Bible recognized Ezra-Nehemiah as a single book.
Ezra himself was a “priest, (a) scribe, expert in the words of the commandments of the LORD” (7:11). He led the second of three groups returning to Jerusalem from Babylon. A devout man, he firmly established the Law (the Pentateuch) as the basis of faith (7:10).
Occasion and Date. The events in Ezra cover slightly more than eighty years and fall into two distinct segments. The first segment (chs. 1–6) covers some twenty-three years, dealing with the first postexilic return under Zerubbabel and the reconstruction of the temple.
Following over sixty years in Babylonian captivity, God moves the heart of the ruler of Babylon, King Cyrus of Persia, to issue an edict stating that willing Jews can return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and city. A faithful group responds and departs in 538 B.C. under Zerubbabel. Temple construction is begun, but opposition from the non-Jewish inhabitants discourages the people and they cease their work. God then raises up the prophetic ministries of Haggai and Zechariah who call the people to complete the task. Though far less splendid than the previous temple of Solomon, the new temple is completed and dedicated in 515 B.C.
Nearly sixty years later (458 B.C.), another group of exiles returns to Jerusalem under the leadership of Ezra (chs. 7–10). They are sent by the then reigning Persian king, Artaxerxes, with additional monies and valuables to enhance the temple worship. Ezra is also commissioned to appoint leaders in Jerusalem to oversee the people.
Once in Jerusalem, Ezra assumes the ministry of spiritual reformer for what was probably only one year. After that he likely lived as an influential private citizen into the time of Nehemiah. A devout priest, he finds an Israel which has adopted many of the pagan inhabitants’ practices; he calls Israel to repentance and to a renewed submission to the Law, even to the point of divorcing their pagan wives.
Content. Two major messages emerge from Ezra: God’s faithfulness and man’s unfaithfulness.
God had promised through Jeremiah (25:12) that the Babylonian captivity would be limited in duration. In His ordained time, He faithfully keeps this promise and stirs the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia to issue an edict for the exiles to return (1:1–4). He then faithfully provides leadership (Zerubbabel and Ezra), and the exiles are sent off with booty, including items that had been taken from Solomon’s temple (1:5–10).
When the people become discouraged because of the enemies’ mockings, God faithfully raises up Haggai and Zechariah to encourage the people to complete the task. Their encouragement proves successful (5:1, 2).
Finally, when the people stray from the truths of God’s word, He faithfully sends a devout priest who artfully instructs the people in the truth, calling them to confession of sin and repentance from their evil ways (chs. 9; 10).
God’s faithfulness is contrasted with the people’s unfaithfulness. In spite of their return and divine promises, they allow their enemies to discourage them and they temporarily give up (4:24). Then, having completed their task so they can worship in their own temple (6:16–18), the people become faithless to the commandments of God; an entire generation is raised up whose “iniquities have risen higher than our heads” (9:6). However, as noted above, God’s faithfulness triumphs in each situation.
Personal Application. The messages of Ezra are a constant reminder of how easily God’s people can lose heart and their distinctives. God is fulfilling His promises. In spite of this, covenant people easily forget His promises and the moral distinctives that are to characterize “a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people” (1 Pet. 2:9). When this happens God’s plans are delayed. Erring saints cannot totally thwart God’s sovereign plans, but they can delay or frustrate them. God is greater than we, and He does have ways of transcending our shortcomings. However, He wants us to walk in obedience so that His plans can be fulfilled as originally revealed.
Christ Revealed. Ezra himself foreshadows Christ by the life he lives and the roles he fulfills. Three particulars stand out.
1) As one who “had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it” (7:10), Ezra reminds us of Christ’s description of Himself as the One who ardently obeys the Father (John 5:19).
2) As “the priest” (7:11), Ezra foreshadows Christ’s role as the “great High Priest” (Heb. 4:14).
3) As the great spiritual reformer who calls Israel to repentance (ch. 10), Ezra typifies Christ’s messianic role as the reshaper of Israel’s spiritual perspectives, including a call away from dead traditionalism and moral impurity (Matt. 11:20–24; 23).
The Holy Spirit at Work. The working of the Holy Spirit in Ezra is clearly seen in the providential moving of God to fulfill His promises. This is indicated by the phrase “the hand of the LORD,” which occurs six times.
It would have been by His Spirit that “the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus” (1:1) and “turned the heart of the king of Assyria” (6:22). It would also have been by the Holy Spirit that “Haggai and Zechariah ... prophesied to the Jews” (5:1).
The work of the Holy Spirit is clearly seen in Ezra’s personal life, both in terms of working in him, “Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD” (7:10), and on his behalf, “the king granted him all his request” (7:6).
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
