Ezra

Who wrote it?

Ezra doesn’t specifically name its author. The tradition is that the prophet Ezra wrote it. It’s interesting to note that once Ezra appears on the scene in chapter 7, the author switches from writing in the third person to first person. This would also lend credibility to Ezra being the author.

When(ish) was it written?

Ezra was likely written between 460 and 440 BC.

Why was it written?

The book of Ezra is devoted to events occurring in the land of Israel at the time of the return from the Babylonian captivity and subsequent years, covering a period of approximately one century, beginning in 538 BC. The emphasis in Ezra is on the rebuilding of the Temple. The book contains extensive genealogical records, principally for the purpose of establishing the claims to the priesthood on the part of the descendants of Aaron.

Some Key Verses

[quote] And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.”
– Ezra 3:11 [/quote]

[quote] This Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.
– Ezra 7:6 [/quote]

A Quick Summary

The book may be divided as follows:

Chapters 1-6—The First Return under Zerubbabel, and the Building of the Second Temple
Chapters 7-10—The Ministry of Ezra

Since well over half a century elapsed between chapters 6 and 7, the characters of the first part of the book had died by the time Ezra began his ministry in Jerusalem. Ezra is the one person who is prominent in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Both books end with prayers of confession (Ezra 9; Nehemiah 9) and a subsequent separation of the people from the sinful practices into which they had fallen. Some concept of the nature of the encouraging messages of Haggai and Zechariah, who are introduced in this narrative (Ezra 5:1), may be seen in the prophetic books that bear their names.

Ezra covers the return from captivity to rebuild the Temple up to the decree of Artaxerxes, the event covered at the beginning of the book of Nehemiah. Haggai was the main prophet in the day of Ezra, and Zechariah was the prophet in the day of Nehemiah.

Foreshadowings

We see in the book of Ezra a continuation of the biblical theme of the remnant. Whenever disaster or judgment falls, God always saves a tiny remnant for Himself: Noah and his family from the destruction of the flood, Lot’s family from Sodom and Gomorrah, the 7000 prophets preserved in Israel despite the persecution of Ahab and Jezebel. When the Israelites were taken into captivity in Egypt, God delivered His remnant and took them to the Promised Land. Some fifty thousand people return to the land of Judea in Ezra 2:64-67, and yet, as they compare themselves with the numbers in Israel during its prosperous days under King David, their comment is, “we are left a remnant that has escaped” (Ezra 9:15). The remnant theme is carried into the New Testament where Paul tells us that “at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace” (Romans 11:5). Although most people of Jesus’ day rejected Him, there remained a set of people whom God had reserved and preserved in His Son, and in the covenant of His grace. Throughout all generations since Christ, there is the remnant of the faithful whose feet are on the narrow road that leads to eternal life (Matthew 7:13-14). This remnant will be preserved through the power of the Holy Spirit who has sealed them and who will deliver them safely at the last day (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 4:30).

What does this mean?

The book of Ezra is a chronicle of hope and restoration. For the Christian whose life is scarred by sin and rebellion against God, there is great hope that ours is a God of forgiveness, a God who will not turn His back on us when we seek Him in repentance and brokenness (1 John 1:9). The return of the Israelites to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Temple are repeated in the life of every Christian who returns from the captivity of sin and rebellion against God and finds in Him a loving welcome home. No matter how long we have been away, He is ready to forgive us and receive us back into His family. He is willing to show us how to rebuild our lives and resurrect our hearts, wherein is the temple of the Holy Spirit. As with the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, God superintends the work of renovating and rededicating our lives to His service.

The opposition of the adversaries of God to the rebuilding of the temple displays a pattern that is typical of that of the enemy of our souls. Satan uses those who would appear to be in sync with God’s purposes to deceive us and attempt to thwart God’s plans. Ezra 4:2 describes the deceptive speech of those who claim to worship Christ but whose real intent is to tear down, not to build up. We are to be on guard against such deceivers, respond to them as the Israelites did, and refuse to be fooled by their smooth words and false professions of faith.

Discussion Questions

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Take a few minutes to review the Scripture from Ezra. What verses or ideas stand out to you from these passages? What questions do you have? What would you like to remember and apply to your life?
Have you set your heart to study God’s Word? What’s your specific plan? How can your Life Group be of help?
Have you set your heart to “do” God’s Word? What are some specific areas where you find it difficult to follow what it says in the Bible? How do you typically respond when you find yourself struggling to obey?
Have you set your heart to teach God’s Word? Do you feel qualified to teach others about Jesus? Who do you interact with on a regular basis that you could share some truth from the Bible with?
Where have you observed or experienced broken walls? Exile? Slavery to sin? How has Jesus provided restoration? Return? Salvation from sin? Going forward, what are some specific ways you can be committed to helping others find hope in Jesus?

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Take a few minutes to review the Scripture from 2 Chronicles 36:16, Ezra 1:1-4, Ezra 9:3-5, Ezra 9:6-15, and 1 John 2:1. What verses or ideas stand out to you from these passages? What questions do you have? What would you like to remember and apply to your life?
The broad themes in Ezra are the restoration of His Temple and His people. How has God restored your life? Or are you currently going through a time of restoration right now? If so, share how God has been moving in this way.
One of the ways that Ezra responds to the Israelites major sin is by tearing his cloak, fasting, and praying. How do you react when you sin against God? How do you react when someone sins against you?

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[expand title=”Westside Venue”]

Take a few minutes to review the Scripture from Ezra in the live notes. What verses or ideas stand out to you from these passages? What questions do you have? What would you like to remember and apply to your life?
How would you define your identity?
What does our identity say about ourselves? About our faith?
Read Ezra 9:6. Why is it so significant that Ezra includes himself in the sins of the Israelites?
ow does our sin impact our identity in Christ?
Why is our sin so appalling to God?

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