EZRA

EZRA 1

CYRUS DECREES FOR THE EXILES TO RETURN TO JERUSALEM

Cyrus, the King over Persia, is stirred by God’s spirit and decrees that God’s people, the exiles taken captive by Babylon, are to return to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding their temple. The prophet Jeremiah foretold this event, knowing that God would bring His people back to their given land (Jeremiah 25).

The families from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, as well as the priests and Levites, prepare to rebuild Jerusalem. Many of the sacred items plundered by the previous Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar are returned to Jerusalem to be placed within the temple. Along with these artifacts, Cyrus instructs the Persian people to give valuable gifts to those who were exiled to aid the Israelites in re-establishing themselves in their homeland.

EZRA 2

THE EXILES RETURN TO JERUSALEM

This chapter records the 42,360 Israelite exiles who returned to Jerusalem, listing their family of origin and occupation. Zerubbabel leads the way as the exiles return to Judah and each family prepares offerings for the rebuilding of the temple.

The name Zerubbabel’s means “seed of Babylon,” a fitting title for the leader of the generation who was born in Babylonian captivity out of exile.

EZRA 3

THE ALTAR + TEMPLE FOUNDATION REBUILT

Once the Israelites arrive in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel and the priests begin rebuilding the altar to make burnt offerings. The returned exiles follow the law of Moses in their sacrificial offerings and maintain the celebration of annual feasts and festivals. These specific laws and rituals are recorded in Leviticus 1 and 23.

The Israelites continue to bring offerings to the temple and use the money given by King Cyrus to start rebuilding the temple. Once they complete the foundation, there is celebration and music. God is praised for His steadfast love towards Israel.

Although many Israelites celebrate the new foundation, the elders who had seen the previous temple wept. Although the reason for the mourning was unknown, it is possible the new temple did not compare to the splendor of Solomon’s temple or because they are remembering the suffering and grief caused by the destruction of the previous temple. The sounds of their weeping are drowned out by the great shouting and commotion surrounding the new temple.

Ezra 3:11 And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.

EZRA 4

ARTAXERXES HINDERS THE REBUILDING OF THE TEMPLE 

While they were exiled, some of Israel’s enemies inhabited Jerusalem. When the Israelites return, the inhabitants want to help with the construction of the temple, but Zerubbabel declares they would have nothing to do with rebuilding God’s house.

These men who are rejected by Zerubbabel write to Artaxerxes, the king of Persia. They remind Artaxerxes of Israel’s rebellious past and warn the king that the nation will be destroyed once again. Concerned that Israel will fail at Persia’s expense, Artaxerxes hinders the growth of Jerusalem and stops the work on the temple.

EZRA 5

THE PROGRESS OF THE TEMPLE QUESTIONED

Ezra recalls how the prophets Haggai and Zechariah prophesied to the Hebrew people in Jerusalem during this time.

Zerubbabel began to rebuild the temple, despite the earlier efforts of Artaxerxes to stop building. Tattenai, the governor of a nearby province, challenges the builders and questions their authority to continue constructing the temple. Zerubbabel and the elders work diligently on the temple and prosper in their work.

They later receive a letter from King Darius of Babylon, asking for proof of the decree from the previous king, Cyrus, to rebuild the temple to verify the legitimacy of their work.

EZRA 6

THE TEMPLE COMPLETED + DEDICATED TO GOD

By request of the current king (Darius), the archives are searched for documents proving that the previous king (Cyrus) sanctioned the rebuilding of the temple. In the archives, a scroll is found proving that Cyrus made a decree for God’s house to be rebuilt in Jerusalem.

After hearing this news, the Israelites complete the temple and dedicate it to the Lord. All of the Israelites, even the exiles who had not fully returned to Jerusalem, celebrate the dedication of the new temple and offer sacrifices to God.

The Israelites in Jerusalem, joined by many foreigners who turned to God, celebrate the Passover together.

EZRA 7

EZRA LEADS ISRAELITE EXILES TO JERUSALEM

The narrative shifts from the leadership of Zerubbabel to the leadership of Ezra, a scribe and teacher of the Jewish Law (Books of Genesis-Deuteronomy). Ezra sets his heart on sharing God’s word and God blessed his efforts.

King Artaxerxes is supportive of Ezra’s work and gives him executive authority as he leads another wave of exiles back to Jerusalem. Artaxerxes also provides Ezra with abundant wealth and supplies. Ezra thanks God for giving the king a generous heart.

Ezra 7:10 - For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.

EZRA 8

GOD PROTECTS EZRA + THE ISRAELITES

Ezra provides a genealogy of the Israelites who returned with him to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon. Ezra chooses a group of Levites, descendants of Levi, to fulfill the role of priests.

Instead of asking the king for soldiers or horsemen, Ezra and the Israelites humble themselves with fasting and prayer before God for protection. The Israelites make it back to Jerusalem safely, with the Levites as appointed guards for their offerings. Once they arrive, the Israelites provide gifts and offerings to the temple.

EZRA 9

EZRA’S CONCERN ABOUT THE WIVES OF THE EXILES

Ezra is approached by Israelite officials and told that many of the recently returned Israelites are marrying people from foreign nations, including the Canaanites, Hittites, Moabites, Ammonites, and Egyptians. Ezra is appalled by this news, mourning and ashamed before God.

Without context, this passage of scripture can appear nationalistic or even racist. It is important to note that God is not opposing interracial or international marriage. Instead, Ezra is concerned that the newly returned Israelites are vulnerable and sees marrying across enemy nations as unwise or sinful. Many of these nations listed have previously oppressed or opposed Israel and celebrated their earlier downfall.

Ezra deeply desires for the Israelites to remain faithful to God and not become rebellious once again. Ezra’s concern about their foreign marriages shows his worry around spiritual and political implications or distractions.

EZRA 10

EZRA’S DECISION REGARDING INTERMARRIAGE

After Ezra addresses the Israelites’ rebellion in marrying foreign wives, the people of Jerusalem weep over their sinful ways and acknowledge their tendency to stray from God’s law. Some of the men who address Ezra believe that there is hope for Israel in spite of this sin.

Despite the Israelites breaking the law regarding marriage among these nations (Deuteronomy 7), God does not command or require divorce for these couples. Upon his own authority, Ezra has many of the men separate from their foreign wives and records the names of those guilty of intermarriage.

This book ends on an odd and anticlimactic note. Ezra has a deep knowledge and understanding of the law, but does not ask for God’s direction on this situation, leading him to make a harsh decision that goes against what God says regarding divorce (Malachi 2:16, Mark 10:2-12, Matthew 5:31-32). Ezra’s actions highlight the complexities of interpreting and applying religious law to real-life situations.