In today’s video we’re going to, survey and briefly summarize the Book of Ezra.
Then afterwards, as always, I’ll share some helpful resources, so stick around until the end.
As for the Author: The Book of Ezra does not specifically name its author.
The tradition is that the prophet Ezra wrote the Book of Ezra. It is interesting to note that
once Ezra appears on the scene in chapter 7, the author of the Book of Ezra switches from writing
in the third person to first person. This would also lend credibility to Ezra being the author.
As for the Date of Writing: The Book of Ezra was likely written between 460 and 440 B.C.
As for the Purpose of Writing: 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 B.C. 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.
Here are some Key Verses:
Ezra 3:11 “With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: ‘He is good;
his love to Israel endures forever.’ And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD,
because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.”
Ezra 7:6, "…this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses,
which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked,
for the hand of the LORD his God was on him."
Here is a Brief 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.
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. Haggai
was the main prophet in the day of Ezra, and Zechariah was the prophet in the day of Nehemiah.
As for 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 7,000 prophets reserved 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 this day as a remnant.” 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 (Ephesians 4:30).
Now for some Practical Application:
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.
Want to learn more? Subscribe so you don’t miss the next video! Visit GotQuestions.org
for more great content. And check out the details section below this video,
there you’ll find one book I recommend, along with links to several related questions. If
you’d like to learn about Bible Munch, or if you’re interested in Bite-sized devotionals,
subscribe to Bible Munch on YouTube, it’s linked right here. Now remember,
Got questions? The Bible has answers, and we’ll help you find them!