Author : Keith Sharp
Author
The book of Ezra is named for its principal character and author (7:11, 27-28).
Ezra the Man
Ezra was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses (7:6), an expert in the law (7:11) and a priest (Ibid). He had diligently prepared himself to keep and to teach God”s law (7:10). He was commissioned by King Artaxerxes I of Persia in 458 BC (7:8) to go from Babylon to Jerusalem to provide the finances to restore the worship of God in the Temple and to beautify the Temple (7: 11-24), to set up rulers over Palestine (7:25-26), and to teach the people the Law of Moses (7:25).
History Covered
The book of Ezra traces the history of the Restoration period from the close of Second Chronicles (2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4), containing Cyrus” decree for the Jews to return from Babylonian captivity (538 B.C.), to the year of Ezra’s religious restoration in Israel (457 B.C.). Thus, Ezra tells two different stories covering about eighty years, that of the original return and rebuilding of the Temple under Zerubbabel and that of the second return and restoration of the law under Ezra.
Therefore, the history books of the Old Testament skip most of the period of the Babylonian Captivity (606 B.C. – 536 B.C.). We learn about this period from the prophets Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel.
Theme
The theme of Ezra is restoration. It chronicles the restoration of the remnant of Israel to the land, of Temple worship, of the Law of Moses and of Israel as a separate nation, God”s chosen people.
Overview of Book
The first six chapters tell of the rebuilding of the Temple under Zerubbabel. After Cyrus issued the decree for the Jews who were willing to return and rebuild the Temple of God in Jerusalem (1:1-4), a great contribution was made by the Jews and by Cyrus to accomplish this (1:5-11). Forty-two thousand three hundred sixty Jews returned to Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel, the governor 2:1; 3:8-13). The Gentile populace of the land wanted to help, but Zerubbabel rejected them (4:1-3). They then opposed the work by discouraging the Jews and by hiring counselors to write the kings of Persia to try to get the work stopped (4:4-24). This opposition continued even after the time of Zerubbabel and into the reign of Artaxerxes I (465 – 425 B.C.) (4:6-7). They succeeded in temporarily halting the building of the Temple (4:23-24). But Haggai and Zechariah prophesied to the people, encouraging them to finish the Temple (5:1-2). Under Zerubbabel”s leadership the Jews resumed the work (5:2), overcame opposition (5:3 – 6:13) and completed the Temple in 515 B.C. (6:14-15). The people joyfully worshiped God.
There is a sixty-seven year break between chapters six and seven. Chapter seven begins the story of the restoration of the Law under Ezra. Ezra came to Jerusalem from Babylon with a large number of Jews in 458 B.C. (chapters 7 – 8). He was dismayed to find the people, including many of the priests, had intermarried with the pagan inhabitants of the land, repeating the very mistake that began Israel”s downfall under Solomon five centuries earlier (chapter 9). Under Ezra”s leadership the people put away their foreign wives (chapter 10).
Outline
1. The Return to Canaan and Rebuilding of the Temple under Zerubbabel- chapters 1-6
a. The Proclamation from Cyrus – chapter 1
b. The Register and Return of Those with Zerubbabel- chapter 2
c. Temple Foundation Laid and Worship Restored – chapter 3
d. Opposition Overcome and Temple Rebuilt – chapters 4-6
2. The Restoration of the Law and Separation of the People under Ezra – chapters 7-10
a. Ezra”s Commission – chapter 7
b. Ezra”s Journey – chapter 8
c. The Problem of Marriage with Pagans – chapters 9-10
(1) The Problem and the Prayer – chapter 9
(2) The Reformation – chapter 10
