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THE BOOK OF EZRA
By Henry Jaegers
The book of Ezra begins a new section in the history books of the Bible. To simplify the outlining of the books of the Old Testament, the captivity when Israel was taken into Babylon serves as a proper guideline for understanding these historical books.
In the first section, Genesis to second Chronicles, we have what we call pre-captivity books. But Ezra gives us a whole new perspective when Israel was released from Babylonian captivity and began to build the temple of God in Jerusalem by the decree issued by Cyrus the Great. Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther form the three historical books that took place after that captivity of Israel from Babylon. Along with these three historical books, are three prophetical books which are also posted captivity. These prophetical books are Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Malachi coming after the events recorded in the book of Nehemiah. All of these books will be the first volume of this book called: "A Simple Guide for Teaching The Bible".
The book of Ezra is a fulfillment of the prophecy uttered by Jeremiah at a time prior to Israel's going into Babylonian captivity. It is a prophecy that God would remember the children of Israel after seventy years have been completed in Babylon. Hear these words uttered by Jeremiah in chapter 25:12-14. And it shall come to pass when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the Lord, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it a perpetual desolation. And I will bring upon that land all my words which I have pronounced against it, even all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah hath prophesied against all the nations. For many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of them also: and I will recompense them according to their deeds, and according to the works of their own hands. (Jeremiah 25:12-14)
The book of Ezra begins where the book of II Chronicles ends. Cyrus, a king raised up by God issued an edict commanding Israel to go forth and begin to build the temple of God. There was great rejoicing in Israel at this time especially among those who had the experience of seeing the first temple under King Solomon. Being led by Joshua and Zerubbabel, around 50,000 Israelites left to begin working on the temple.
For 20 years, they labored diligently seeing great progress, but they were not without problems. It appeared that the enemies of God did everything they could to halt the progress. As a last-ditch effort, they went to King Ahasuerus and made a false claim that the children of Israel were building the temple in rebellion. Records were cited to research concerning Israel's former state of rebellion toward God and the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. They gained a sympathetic ear from the king of Persia and progress was halted. The children of Israel gave up and reasoned that because of this opposition, it was not time to build the house of God.
The work of the temple discontinued for a period of sixty years but during this time, God raised up to of his prophets, Haggai and Zechariah and through their encouragement Joshua and Zerubbabel began building once again and others hands were encouraged through all of this.
But the enemies of Israel were not satisfied to leave well-enough alone. Israel claimed that they had a message from Cyrus that allowed them to do the work on the temple, but their enemies refused to believe this story. Once again, they journeyed to the King of Persia, Darius by name this time, but things did not happen as they had planned. When Darius heard the explanation that they were building due to the command by Cyrus, he began to check the archives and found out that the Israelites did have the authority of the king of Persia. The tables turned on the wicked men. Darius commanded them and warned them by the threat of death that they were not to hinder the work of God. After this, the work on the temple continued.
At this time, Ezra the priest left Babylon with another group of people with the purpose of setting up the temple and initiating the needed ministry of worship. Singers, Levites, and all that added to true worship was instituted at this time. Ezra was a man who gave himself wholeheartedly to praying, teaching and leading Israel into true worship.
Some of them who were priests were involved in taking to them wives for themselves and they began to adopt some of the false teachings associated with the nations around them. Ezra's response was with great emotion as he pulled his help himself and his heart out to God pulling out his hair that was on his headed and on his beard in agony over the sin of the people. Through the prayer of Ezra and the teaching in the word of God, the people began to forsake their idolatrous marriages and turn back to God.
The book ends with somewhat of a revival taking place with the people's hearts turned back to God giving Him the glory for what He had done for them. Their hearts were accompanied with great sorrow over the sin within the hearts of his people.
It is hard to imagine how long a time progressed when all these events took place, but we do not find the children of Israel turning to idolatry as they once did prior to the journeys to Babylon which cause their captivity. But, even after Ezra arrived, there was still trouble in the camp. Such troubles caused him to seek the Lord most earnestly and fervently (a lesson we can learn from his life.)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS.
1. Read Jeremiah 25: 10-14 and discuss the promise of God to Israel as they faced the destruction of Jerusalem and impending Babylonian captivity.
2. From Jeremiah 29:1-7, what important instructions did God give in preparing His people to face their new home in Babylon? What practical lesson can we learn from this?
3. In Ezra chapter 1 verses one through five, discuss ns that Israel left Babylon. How was this a fulfillment of God's promise to them found in Jeremiah chapter 25?
4. By reading Psalm 126, discuss the great joy expressed by the children of Israel with the prospects of leaving Babylon.
5. from Ezra 2:64-70, discuss the number of people who left Babylon by the command of Cyrus.
6. Read chapter 3, verses 1-10 and discuss of Joshua and Zerubbabel as to their leadership qualities. Read also chapter 5:2, to discuss the faith of these two men after hearing the words of the two prophets mentioned in verse one.
7. Read chapter four to discover the strategy used to keep Israel from continuing their work? Read Haggai chapter 1:1,2, discuss the excuses that the children of Israel made for not continuing their work on the temple.
8. In chapter 7:1-10, discuss the arrival of Ezra, the work that he accomplished and his passion for doing God's work.
9. In chapter 9, discuss the problem that arose and Ezra's response when he discovered that which was taking place.
10. Read chapter 10 to discover the revival that took place and the effects upon the rest of the children of Israel. Can we find in this chapter, a formula for receiving revival in the times in which we live?
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