Introduction
The book of Ezra begins as 2 Chronicles ends – with Cyrus of Persia giving the Jews permission to return to their land after the exile in Babylon and rebuild the temple.
We can divide the book in this way:
Chapters 1-2: Return from exile. This lists the names of those who returned in 539 BC. Ezra himself is not included in this first group from Babylon.
Chapter 3: The foundation of the Temple is laid (536 BC) They rebuild the altar and resume the daily sacrifices. This leads to jubilation among the younger ones, while those who remember the previous temple weep instead.
Chapter 4: The work is halted due to opposition from the surrounding peoples. They are hindered for 16 years, with a complete halt for 10 years (536-520 BC). Here the author collects all opposition up to Artaxerxes and gives an overview of the entire period.
Chapter 5: The prophets Haggai and Zechariah encourage the people to continue the building. Here the story jumps forward to 520 BC, when the building was resumed. The Persian king is again approached by potential opponents, but it is confirmed that the Jews are allowed to rebuild the temple.
Chapter 6: The temple is completed. After being destroyed for 70 years, it is finally completed in 516 BC.
Chapters 7-8: Ezra himself comes from Babylon with gold, silver and equipment for the temple. Here the story jumps forward to 458 BC and tells of the scribe Ezra who contributes both to the temple and to rebuilding the people by teaching them the Law of Moses.
Chapters 9-10: Ezra dissolves mixed marriages. After Ezra completes his mission, he learns that many have married neighboring peoples and adopted their “detestable” lifestyle, which most likely included idolatry and the practices it entailed. This is precisely what led to the exile, so Ezra reacts strongly to this. Those involved propose a solution that Ezra agrees with.
Ezra and Nehemiah were originally one book, so the story is not finished. It continues and is completed in Nehemiah, where Ezra also appears again.
In the book of Ezra, we find Jesus in the great story: The exodus from Babylon and the new temple point to the Messiah who would fulfill all of this.
Ezra – Nehemiah
- Covers the period 539-443 BC. Continues the story from the Books of Chronicles.
- Originally one book. Probably divided in the 3rd century among Christians, in the Jewish tradition in the 15th century.
- Jewish tradition: Ezra wrote both the books of Chronicles and Ezra-Nehemiah (but used Nehemiah’s memoirs).
- Aramaic in 4:8–6:18 and 7:12-26. Mostly official correspondence within the Persian authorities.
Setting
Persian Empire (approximately 538-332 BC)
“The book of Ezra often fails to impress at first glance, largely because it can seem so toned-down and factual. But when we look more closely at what is actually happening, and perceive the echoes of earlier writings, and see the book in light of the whole of the Bible, we realize that God is about to bring His plan to fruition.” Robert Fyall — The Message of Ezra & Haggai (The Bible Speaks Today)
“the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia… ” (1:1)
Cyrus is mentioned by name 21 times in the Bible. He will have victory wherever he goes (Isaiah 41:2), he will build God’s city and send the people home (Isaiah 45:13), and he will destroy Babylon (Jeremiah 51:11).
Likewise, God gives the same thought to the heads of the tribes, the priests, and the Levites to return. (v. 5) Theme: God’s leadership
They take the items from the temple (fulfilling Jer 27:21-22). But the Ark of the Covenant is missing. Theme: A New Temple
- Theme: A New Exodus — preparing for the new covenant
- Receives support as in Exodus 3:21-22, 11:2, 12:35-36
The Cyrus Cylinder
“From Babylon to Aššur and (from) Susa, Agade , Ešnunna , Zamban , Me- Turnu , Der, as far as the area of Gutium , the sacred centers on the other side of the Tigris, where the sanctuaries had been abandoned for a long time, I brought the idols, which had remained there [in Babylon], back to their places and made them dwell in eternal dwellings. I gathered all their inhabitants and brought them back to their dwellings. Moreover, by the command of Marduk , the great lord, I made the gods of Sumer and Akkad , whom Nabonidus , to the anger of the lord of the gods, had brought to Babylon, settle in their own dwellings, in comfortable homes.”
Strategic plan for Israel 538-433 BC (Make Jerusalem Great Again)
- Return and Resume
- Restore and Rebuild
- Repent and Reform
- Revive and Renew
Chapter 2: A new exodus
1. Return & Resume
A new exodus
12 “leaders” are mentioned in 1:11–2:2
Zerubbabel = David’s heir (Matthew 1:12, Luke 3:27)
They are called “the people of Israel” (2:2) and “all Israel” (2:70)
“Census” — as in Numbers. A total of 50,000 people returned.
They settle in their cities, where they belonged.
A new temple
Priests (v.36-39), Levites (v. 40), singers (v. 41), gatekeepers (v. 42) and temple servants (v. 43-58).
Joshua = high priest
Those who could not account for their lineage (vv. 59-63) could not be priests for the time being.
Chapter 3: The Temple
2. Rebuild & Restore
3:1-6 The altar is rebuilt and the sacrifices are resumed
The altar is built before the temple so that the daily sacrifices can resume. Worship has the highest priority.
A new exodus.
Celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles (15-22/7) which commemorated the 1st exodus and how God provided.
Fears God more than the people around him (contrast to Numbers 14) (Theme: Resistance (3:3))
Chiasm
A. The seventh month (3:1)
B. On the altar they were to offer burnt offerings as it is written (3:2)
X. The altar is rebuilt despite fear of the people (3:3a)
B. They offered burnt offerings… as it is written (3:3b-5)
A. The seventh month (3:6)
3:7-13 The foundation is laid
Parallels to Solomon’s Temple:
The same materials are transported the same way (2 Chronicles 2:16)
Construction begins in the same month (2 Chronicles 3:2)
The Levites have oversight (1 Chronicles 23:4)
The celebration is reminiscent of 2 Chronicles 5:11-13. But: When they sang in 2 Chronicles 5, “He is good; his love endures forever,” the temple was filled with the cloud of God. It cannot come now anyway, since only the foundation was laid, but the expectation is in the air.
Takes about 7 years to build (about 2 + about 5) (1 Kings 6:38) Contrast with Solomon’s Temple: Disappointment
Chapter 4: Resistance
They themselves say that they were imported by Esar-Haddon (680-669, father of Ashurbanipal) (2 Kings 17:24-43)
“Even while these people were worshiping the Lord, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their ancestors did.” (2 Kings 17:41)
Polytheists cannot participate in the construction
The reaction in v. 4 testifies that this was really an attempt at sabotage. If they truly worshipped Yahweh, they would not oppose the building of his temple.
The reason seems to be religious and not ethnic (cf. 6:21)
God demanded “exclusive” worship that the returnees had to guard against. It was precisely idolatry that had led to the exile. It was open to others if they took the Mosaic Law seriously.
Timeless Truth: We are called to invite everyone into the community without compromising worship.
Chronological break in v. 5b due to same theme
1:1 — 4:5a: Cyrus (539-530): Bribes the king’s advisors to oppose the construction
- His son Cambyses seems to have ruled the capital from about 537 while Cyrus was on campaign (cf. Josephus , Calvin)
- Regardless, a huge empire. Josephus says Cyrus knew nothing about it being thwarted.
5b: Until Darius, i.e. under Cambyses (530-522)
- Lay down until 520 (v. 24, where we return to Darius and the “present” with a framing)
(Advanced under Darius (522-486))
4:6 — Xerxes (486-465): Written complaint
4:7-23: Artaxerxes (465-424): Written complaint
The reconstruction met with resistance all the way from the surrounding people who complained to the Persian kings.
Aramaic from v. 8 to 6:18. Probably official Persian documents.
Accuses Jerusalem of being wicked and rebellious and that rebuilding will harm the kingdom (vv. 11-16).
The king orders the construction to stop (vv. 17-22), and it is done “with violence and might” (v. 23). The wall that is being constructed (v. 12) seems to be torn down (Neh 1:3).
Chapter 5-6
5:1 —Jumps from about 536 to 520 B.C. The work has been hindered or stalled for about 16 years.
5:5 — Theme: God’s protection (7:6, 9, 28; 8:18, 22, 31; 9:8-9; Neh 2:8, 18)
Governor Tattenai does not seem hostile, but wonders if they are allowed. No accusations in the letter he writes to Darius. Asks him to check if it is true that Cyrus ordered this. (5:6-17)
Darius has checked and confirms the legality (6:1-12). Cyrus’ original is reproduced (in Aramaic) (and v. 4 confirms that they were allowed to do as in 3:7).
Construction continues and the temple is completed in 516 BC, at the behest of both God and the Persian kings.
(6:13-15). God does not perform great miracles in Ezra-Nehemiah, but He performs miracles through the authorities (God’s leadership).
A new exodus (6:16-22)
- 12 sin offerings even though they were only two tribes (1:5). But they represent “all Israel” after the exile.
- Back to Hebrew in 6:19 when the Passover celebration is described.
- 6:21 shows that anyone who took it seriously could join (contrast to 4:1-3)
Chapters 1-6
A: God turns the king’s heart to Israel (1:1-11)
B: Temple and worship (3:1-13)
C: Letters and opposition (4:1-24)
D: Construction is stopped (4:23-24)
X: God’s Word Through Haggai and Zechariah (5:1)
D: Construction resumes (5:2)
C: Letter and potential resistance (5:3 — 6:12)
B: Temple and worship (6:13-22)
A: God turns the king’s heart to Israel (6:22)
The prophets were important in this process, even though they only get one verse here.
Both the temple and the people are dedicated to God, but where is he?
Ezra 7-8: More people and equipment for the temple
7:1 — Jumps forward 58 years to 458 B.C.
Ezra was a priest and scribe (7:11)
7:9 — He begins his journey on 1/1 (Ex. 12:1-2) (A new exodus)
7:10 — “For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.”
- He was a Bible nerd devoted to: 1) studying the law, 2) following it, and 3) teaching the people.
- “With all his heart” —> Deuteronomy, especially 6:4-9.
- Therefore God kept his gracious hand on him (7:9)
7:12-26: Artaxerxes ‘ document to Ezra (Aramaic again)
- A new exodus: Like Moses, he will bring silver and gold, will teach the law and will appoint judges.
- Reason: He is afraid of God’s wrath (v. 23)
- Ezra interprets it as that the thought came from God also in this king (v. 27) and as a sign of God’s leadership (v. 28).
Chapter 8: A new exodus
- Selects 12 leaders (vv. 21-23)
- “A safe journey” is literally “a straight path” (as in Isaiah 40:3)
- rest for three days? (Joshua 3:2)
Ezra the scribe (7:6-10)
A. God’s Law
B. The hand of God
C. The Journey to Jerusalem
D. First day of the first month
C. The Journey to Jerusalem
B. The hand of God
A. God’s Law
Ezra was a scribe who was skilled in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given.
Because the Lord his God held his hand on him, the king gave him everything he asked for.
Some of the Israelites, along with some priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants, went up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.
Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king’s reign.
On the first day of the first month, he began his journey from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he arrived in Jerusalem.
His God kept his good hand on him.
For Ezra had set his heart to seek the law of the Lord, to do it, and to teach statutes and judgments in Israel.
Ezra 9-10: Problems
The problem: The people (especially the priests and Levites) have not separated themselves from their neighbors and have adopted their detestable lifestyle. Called “unfaithfulness” in vv. 2 and 4.
- Many things in the law are called “detestable,” including idolatry in Deuteronomy 7:25-26, child sacrifice as a result of this in Deuteronomy 12:31, and idolatry in the temple in Ezekiel 8:6.
Background from Mal 2:14-16?
- Had they divorced their Israelite wives and married foreigners?
- They have married idolaters who have no intention of becoming part of God’s people. Israel’s history shows that this is a danger of apostasy (Solomon and Ahab).
- This desecrates God’s dwelling place (Malachi 2:11, the same word for “abomination”) and makes the people unclean.
It was idolatry that had led to the exile, and now they are heading in the same direction once again. That is why this is really a crisis (9:3-5)
The people involved come to this proposal themselves. The most legally literate person alive agrees. Only 4 disagree.
Top 10: Names in Ezra
1. Magbish
2. Barcos
3. Hassoferet
4. Shetar-Bosnai
5. Donkeys
6. Job
7. Shabbos
8. Bigvai
9. Vanya
10. Maknadbai