EZRA BOOK OVERVIEW
OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY: THE ISRAELITES RETURN FROM ELXILE
After the Israelites were freed from captivity, many of them returned to Jerusalem. Cyrus, the King of Persia, allowed the Israelites to rebuild the city and establish themselves once again.
The book of Ezra records the leadership of two men, Zerubbabel and Ezra, who worked to rebuild the temple and teach God’s Word to the Israelites. Both Zerubbabel and Ezra struggled with including other nations in the rebuilding process. When the Israelites married foreign women, Ezra added to God’s Word and instated laws that God never commanded. The challenges faced by these two men showcase the difficulties and obstacles of rebuilding the city and following God’s instruction.
The books of Ezra and Nehemiah were originally one combined narrative. Both Ezra and Nehemiah describe life in Jerusalem for the newly freed Israelites after their exile. Ezra focuses on the rebuilding of the temple, while Nehemiah focuses on the rebuilding of the city walls.
MAIN IDEAS: REBUILDING THE TEMPLE
God stirred up the Israelites’ hearts to return to Jerusalem and reconstruct the city. (Ezra 1:1-5)
During the building process, Ezra and Zerubbabel faced opposition and setbacks. (Ezra 4:23-24)
After the temple dedication, the Israelites rejoiced and celebrated Passover together. (Ezra 6:13-22)
Ezra, an Israelite leader in Jerusalem, was known for his great knowledge of God’s law. (Ezra 7:8-10)
EXAMPLE OF GOD’S CHARACTER: PRESENT IN JOY + SORROW
The Israelites labored to rebuild the temple, and they celebrated when the foundation was laid. Many Israelites shouted, “He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.” On the other hand, many older Israelites, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud instead of rejoicing. It was so loud that no one could distinguish the shouts of joy from the sounds of weeping (Ezra 3:11-13). Although the reason for their weeping is unknown, it is possible that the Israelites were mourning the suffering and grief caused by the destruction of the previous temple.
God’s presence can be experienced in both joy and sorrow, in both celebration and mourning. Often, these emotions can be experienced simultaneously. Romans 12:15 teaches believers to “rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Although the Israelites were witnessing the same event, they responded differently based on their emotions and personal relationships with God. God can be present and involved in both grieving and rejoicing.
JESUS IN EZRA: THE NEW TEMPLE
In the book of John, Jesus compared His own body to the temple. Because the temple was considered a holy place of worship, this statement was seen as both bold and offensive. The temple served as God’s dwelling place on Earth, but Jesus was God in the flesh on Earth - of course he was greater than the temple! Jesus embodied the new temple and inaugurated a new relationship with God. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus gives all believers direct access to God and restores our relationships with Him.
“The Jews then responded to him, ’What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.’ They replied, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?‘ But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken” (John 2:18–22).
