To appreciate the significance of ezra s journey to jerusalem, we need to bear in mind that 80 years had passed since the first return from babylon ch. The book of ezra teaches us about god leading a remnant of babylonian exiles to return to jerusalem and rebuild the temple. Ezra is most likely the author of both ezra and nehemiah, which might have originally been one book. With each reading weve included several links to the website that will allow you to. God had totally given up on his people after the babylonian conquest in circa 587 bce, allowing the babylonians destroy jerusalem and his temple, just like the prophets predicted.
Feb 20, 2017 nehemiah chronicles gods covenant relationship with israel, and even provides a sweeping overview of the relationship in nehemiah chapter 9. The exiles returned, but faced fierce opposition from neighborsespecially the. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. A readers guide to the theological message of ezra.
The book of ezra does not specifically name its author. A literary and theological analysis of the book of ezra. Ezras purpose was to accurately record the events of the return from the babylonian exile, after a seventy. It is possible that ezra compiled nehemiahs original accounts with other material to create the book of nehemiah. Chronicles, ezra, nehemiah, and esther were originally part of the writings. Aug 02, 2017 the words and messages are frank, specific, and motivating. As the curtain rises and the orchestra dramatically swells, king cyrus of persia has just defeated the babylonians. Book of ezra read, study bible verses online bible study tools. This book reminds us that it is through instruction in gods word that his people are strengthened, for ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in israel ezra 7. In such a unique period, we might think the prayer would be so specific that they would offer us little to. Ezra gathered the people of jerusalem and read before the assembly the book of the law of moses which the lord prescribed for israel nehemiah 8. Not all the jews returned to judah, but some did return. Lessons from ezra for believers today michael hardt. Nehemiah focuses on rebuilding the city of jerusalem.
Jewish tradition has long attributed authorship of this historical book to the scribe and scholar ezra, who led the second group of jews returning from babylon to jerusalem ezra 7. First esdras is substantially derived from masoretic ezra nehemiah, with the passages specific to the career of nehemiah removed or reattributed to. In the first year of king cyrus 539538 bc, shortly after the persian defeat. The second group came with ezra the priest and scribe in 458 bc ezra 7.
Summary of the prayers of ezra praying through the bible. Babylon was a long way from their own country, called judah. Ezra overview reading the bible chronologically in 365 days. Jerusalem had a temple but there was no protection for the city from further attack. He allowed the king of babylon and his army to defeat them. The book of ezra records the fulfillment of gods promise to restore israel to her land after the 70 years of captivity in babylon jer. It is likely that ezra finished the book between 456, when the events of 10. Originally written together as a single book in the jewish scriptures, ezra and nehemiah document the fulfillment of gods promise that israel will return home after 70 years of exile in babylon and restore their ruined dwellings again. Israels struggles to resist foreign influences and to rebuild the temple are spotlighted in the book. Ezra and nehemiah the next book of the bible were originally considered two parts of one book.
Originally part of a larger book that included ezra and chronicles, in our bibles each stands alone with nehemiah following chronicles and ezra. View an outline and see other pertinent information about the chapter. Zerubbabel and nehemiah both play a part in restoring gods temple, while zerubbabel takes. The revival began with the reading of the word of god by ezra.
Ezra had devoted himself especially to study and to do the law of jehovah the word of god and was eager to teach the word in israel. Chapter 1 king cyrus of persia authorizes the return of the. Book of nehemiah overview insight for living ministries. The tradition is that the prophet ezra wrote the book of ezra.
Ezra overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary provides a freeflowing commentary on the entire text of each biblical book, along with background material. Israels return to jerusalem from babylon involved about fifty thousand jews much, much fewer than the more recent return, which is such a wonder of our own day. Summary of yahwehs mercies to yisrael ezra 4 esdras 1. King nebuchadnezzar invaded israel and carried the jews away as captives in 606 bc. Ezra in the picture study bible the book of ezra with maps.
Ezra and nehemiah provided faithful leadership as the restoration of israel faltered. The book of esther described part of the jewish diaspora which stayed behind in persia and did not return to jerusalem during the restoration. The temple and jerusalem played a central role in bringing gods blessing to. Book of ezra and nehemiah covers the events of the jews returning from the babylonian captivity. New testament writers do not quote the book of ezra. The book of ezra bears the name of an individual who was a descendent of the priest hilkiah who had helped initiate reforms in the time of josiah 2 kings 22. Ezra and nehemiah were probably completed around 430400 b. Nehemiahs primary mission was the rebuilding of the walls of jerusalem. Ezra wants to study the law of god, practice it, and teach it to others. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of ezra in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. Ezra is also responsible for leading the jews back to proper behavior and worship of the god of israel, though this is not really complete until the last chapter of nehemiah.
The book of ezra also references other biblical prophets, namely haggai. These events are described in the book of nehemiah. Israel was under babylonian control until approximately 536 bc when the medopersian empire took control. Ezra was the second of three key leaders to leave babylon for the reconstruction of jerusalem. This book, in the vulgate latin and arabic versions, is called the first book of ezra, nehemiah being reckoned the second. The king of babylon ordered most jews to live in babylon. This summary of the book of ezra provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the. However, they probably began as separate books because ezra 2 and nehemiah 7 are virtually identical and such repetition is unlikely to occur in one book. The book of ezra recounts israels final years of exile in babylon, including accounts of two returning groups as they are restored to their homeland after 70 years in captivity.
Nehemiah, who was a contemporary or served around the same time as ezra, was a cupbearer to the king in the persian empire. Ezra and some other israelitestemple servants, priests, singers, gatekeepers, levitestake around four or five months to journey to jerusalem. Aug 02, 2017 it is likely that ezra finished the book between 456, when the events of 10. The book of 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.
Key personalities include cyrus, ezra, haggai, zechariah, darius i, artaxerxes i, and zerubbabel. The last four books of the hebrew canon are ezra, nehemiah, and 1 and 2 chronicles, in that order. All 1,189 summaries now available in paperback and on kindle. Key personalities include nehemiah, ezra, sanballat, and tobiah. List of those returning with ezra 114 preparations for the journey 1530 departure from babylon and arrival in jerusalem 36 9. Israel has been disciplined, and is now being restored to her land and her god. Book of ezra covers the events of the jews returning from the babylonian captivity. Given ezra s important role in israel and his literary skills see note on ezra 7.
Nehemiah overview and outline reasons for hope jesus. Other historians place the return under zerubbahel. This summary of the book of ezra provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of ezra. The book of ezra offers hope and comfort for the people of god today as well. Overview of the biblical book of ezra zionlutheranchurch. Ezra in the picture study bible the book of ezra with.
Ezra 110 the bible from 30,000 feet skip heitzig flight ezr01 duration. Ezra was both a priest and a scribe and he had a single purpose, to purify the worship of the lord among the hebrews based on the law of moses. Rebuilding the temple ezr 16 the remnant returns to judah ezra 12 judah lays the new temple foundations ezra 3 judahs adversaries stop temple work ezra 4 judah resumes temple work ezra 5 the temple is completed. Ezra overview james burton coffman commentaries on the bible.
God used three persian kings, cyrus, darius, and artaxerxes, to bring this to pass, as well as jewish leaders such as zerubbabel, joshua, haggai, zechariah, and ezra. Haggai was the main prophet in the day of ezra, and zechariah was the prophet in the day of nehemiah. Aug 04, 20 ezra and nehemiah the next book of the bible were originally considered two parts of one book. Ezra and nehemiah introduction theyre baack as the second book of kings ended, you thought it was all over for god and israel. Ezra overview john gills exposition on the whole bible. It is interesting to note that once ezra appears on the scene in. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times.
The book of ezra tells the history of the jews return from babylon. The book of ezra the name ezra meaning help therefore is the sequence to the chronicles in regard to history and in regard to contents. Intermarriage in israel 14 ezra s prayer of confession 515 10. Ezra summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of ezra for bible study or sunday school lessons. The books of ezra and nehemiah one book in the hebrew bible trace the story of the return of the people of god to the land of israel after the 70year captivity in babylon. Ezra and nehemiah were originally considered parts one and two of the same work, and for a good reason. May 10, 2017 book of ezra overview insight for living ministries stay safe and healthy. The books of ezra, esther, and nehemiah cover the historical period of israels captivity in babylon and the period immediately following their return to jerusalem. After the babylonian exile when the israelites began to return to judah and jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Book of ezra overview insight for living ministries.
Ezra returned from the babylonian captivity in 457 bc which was 80 years after the first group of jews had returned to israel under the leadership of zerubbabel years before nehemiah. This summary of the book of nehemiah provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of nehemiah. Separated from uncleanness and seeking the lord chapter 7. Continuity with the past and hope for the future chapter 8. Summary of the book of ezra ezra is the first book in the postexilic period of israel. Scholars differ as to the chronological order of the books, some maintaining that the events of nehemiah occur before those of ezra. The introduction to this decree specifies when it was proclaimed. The prayers found in the book of ezra take place during a unique time in the history of israel. Ezra was a scribe and priest sent with religious and political powers by the persian king artaxerxes to.
Ezra is a book of narrative history and genealogies. The book contains several documents presented as historical inclusions, written in aramaic while the surrounding text is in. At one time, however, ezra and nehemiah followed 1 and 2 chronicles and were generally considered to be the work of one and the same author known as the chronicler. Near 520 bc after the takeover by nebuchadnezzar, ultimately king cyrus of persia arose to power, and he decided to aid the jews to return to jerusalem. Ezra, nehemiah, zerubbabel, jeshua, haggai, zechariah, darius, and sanballat. Inspired by gods spirit, he tells the israelites that they can head home and rebuild their temple.
Interestingly we will witness that ezra does not appear in the book until chapter 7. They are to rebuild the temple and restore their religious practices and worship. Nov 28, 20 ezra overview the book of ezra does not specifically name its author, although scholars believe it to be the priest ezra. Summary of the books of ezra the story of the bible.
Nehemiah led the third 3rd exodus back to jerusalem, 94 years after zerubbabel 1st exodus of approx. Ezra overview the book of ezra does not specifically name its author, although scholars believe it to be the priest ezra. God gave cyrus the prophesy and then god stirred the hearts of the leaders, priests and levites to return home. Watch our overview video on the prophetic books of ezra and nehemiah, which breaks down the literary design of each book s flow of thought. Although ezra never states his authorship, internal arguments favor him strongly. And yet in between these two books lies the babylonian captivity, which lasted 70 years compare jeremiah 25. When their king was dethroned and captured and the people exiled to babylon, judah as an independent nation ceased to exist.
At this point the writing switches from third person to first person which lends credibility to scholars believe and study. This account weaves together several categories of. Nehemiah chronicles gods covenant relationship with israel, and even provides a sweeping overview of the relationship in nehemiah chapter 9. Nehemiah wrote it to records the events of returning to jerusalem and rebuilding the walls in 445 b. At one point in history ezra and nehemiah were one book in the hebrew bible.
The book of ezra begins with a decree from king cyrus of persia, allowing the jews to return to jerusalem to rebuild the temple that had been destroyed by the babylonians in 587 bc ezra 1. For the connection between this book and ezra, see ezra overview and outline. The book of nehemiah jerusalem walls summary overview. Ezra s purpose was to accurately record the events of the return from the babylonian exile, after a seventyyear period and the events that surround the rebuilding of the temple in jerusalem. Intermarriage in israel 14 ezras prayer of confession 515 10. It continues the story that chronicles left unfinished. In fact, ezra and nehemiah were originally regarded as one book by ancient jewish and early christian scribes. Centuries before, isaiah had prophesied that god would work through cyrus the persian to accomplish his will isaiah 45. The book of ezra relates the restoration of jerusalem and the building of the second temple after the babylonian exile. The revelation of christ is an important distinctive in the book of ezra nehemiah. Dec 12, 2018 the book of ezra is part of the historical books of the bible.
The jews started to build a temple house of god in jerusalem. The hebrew traditions treated the books of ezra and nehemiah is one book, although they were probably separated in the bible. Overview of the book of ezra third millennium ministries. Many years later, the army from persia defeated the army from babylon. The book of ezra in the bible tells us that the king of persia allowed the jews to return to their own land. Life after destruction goes on in ezra and nehemiah. The book of ezra nehemiah reveals christ in at least five ways. Also, ezra was probably the writer of 1 and 2 chronicles and psalm 119 the longest chapter in the bible. The two became separated with the first printed rabbinic bibles of the early 16th century, following late medieval latin christian tradition. Both form the story of how god reestablishes israel in the land he promised to her. The book of nehemiah could be read as a sequel to the book of ezra, and some scholars believe the two were originally one work.