The BOOK – Rebuild and Reform

Ezra opens (Ezra 1:1-6) with King of Persia, Cyrus, making a proclamation throughout his kingdom permitting the Jews who were captives in his kingdom to return to Jerusalem. At Cyrus’s first call (537BC), (Ezra 1:1-4) no more than 50,000 Jews availed themselves of the opportunity of returning to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel. Cyrus gave back to Zerubbabel the golden vessels Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 1:5-11). They started back over 700 miles of barren desert from Babylon to Jerusalem. Not only money for rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem, but also travelling expenses and all other needs were provided by God at Cyrus’s direction (Ezra 1:4-6).

We can see the hindrances to the work of the Temple (Ezra 4:1-22). Hindrances to all the real work for God are to be expected. The Church or men of God may not have the help of the world. The opposition dishearted them. They needed Haggai’s message. Haggai and Zechariah, the prophets, encouraged the people from within the ranks (Ezra 4:23-5:17), and within 4 years the Temple was complete and dedicated (Ezra 6)

At least 60 years after Jews had first returned to Jerusalem, Ezra led a second expedition from Babylon to reinforce the struggling Jews in Judah. The King was so impressed with Ezra’s love of God’s word (Ezra 7:25). This shows that we must live in such a way that others would learn to have respect for God’s word.

The Old Testament history closes about 100 years after the Jews returned from their captivity. Alexander the Great (336-325BC) broke the Persian hold and world power passed from Persia to Greece. He showed consideration to the Jews. 

Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel (Ezra 7:10). In addition to Ezra’s outstanding ministry of the word, he probably wrote portions of 1 and 2 chronicles, and Psalm 119, which is a wonderful poem about the word of God. Under Ezra we see the great revival of Bible study. 

In Nehemiah 9 we find prayer of Nehemiah. Prayer is the most important privilege of a Christian. Nehemiah’s prayer began where Ezra ended – with utter surrender to God.

The names of those who returned are given in Ezra 2. They laid the foundation of the Temple the first thing upon returning. It was a time of great rejoicing. It is interesting to notice that before they built homes for themselves they first thought of a house for the Lord. They did not build the Temple first, but the altar (Ezra 3:2). 

The place where sin must be dealt with come first in every life. The heart must be right if God is to bless. The alter was the center of the Jew’s religion and the Cross is the center of the Christian faith. 

May God help you to keep your faith first above all other things and live a life pleasing to God, Amen.