By taking out this section unto itself and simply reading from ezra 4. Artaxerxes as found in the book of ezra due to ezra and nehemiahs joint participation in jerusalem cf. Key personalities include cyrus, ezra, haggai, zechariah, darius i, artaxerxes i, and zerubbabel. It is a section unto itself, somewhat interrupting the flow of the text from ezra 4. Ezra, as a priest, was unable to serve during the captivity, but he gave his time to a study of the word of god he was a ready scribe in the law of moses ezra 7. Thats the first reason i often give for studying the old testament books of ezra and nehemiah. He did, however, give his time to a study of the word of god. The book of ezra is the last of the historical books, but they do not follow ad seriatum one right after the other. Although ezra never states his authorship, internal arguments favor him strongly. The most important observation about the book of ezra is to see how god fulfills his word, and the prophets spoke continually about the restoration of the people of israel to the land of their inheritance, after the captivity.
Israels struggles to resist foreign influences and to rebuild the temple are spotlighted in the book. Book of ezra overview insight for living ministries. The old testament book of ezra proclaims the importance of right worship and the need to endure patiently in the face of difficulty. The book of 2 chronicles ended with an official message that king cyrus of persia sent in 538 b. Study scripture verses with commentary, concordances, and use highlighting, underlining, take notes in the bible. The oldest manuscripts of the septuagint the prechristian greek translation of the ot also treat ezra and nehemiah as one book. The books of reference used for this study of the book of ezra were the bible, king james version, called the companion bible, publisher kregel. Heres the third and greatest reason to study ezra and nehemiah. Visit our library of inductive bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the bible you can use in your small group.
Intro to ezra biblica the international bible society. The book of ezra provides an account of the jews regathering, of their struggle to survive. The book of ezra does not specifically name its author. These events are described in the book of nehemiah. Ezra wants to study the law of god, practice it, and teach it to others. 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. As such, the people were called to offer worship, to be a people of the book, and to rebuild the wall, which almost became a symbol of israels separatism. We read how they built the temple of god in jerusalem again. The book of ezra is part of the historical booksof the bible. The lord rasied up ezra and nehemiah to reestablish the nation by rebuilding the temple and city walls and by turning the people back to his word. The book of ezra in the bible tells us that the king of persia allowed the jews to return to their own land. This is a guest post by kathleen nielson, author of ezra and nehemiah. Ezra 2 the list of the exiles who returned bible gateway.
Ezra 1 niv cyrus helps the exiles to return bible gateway. In fact, ezra and nehemiah were originally regarded as one book by ancient jewish and early christian scribes. Recommit to him your trust, your love, and your obedience. The jews started to build a temple house of god in jerusalem. 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. After his arrival in jerusalem in 458 bc, he changed from writing in the third perions ezra 16 to writing in the first perions ezra 710. If we compare the last verses of 2 chronicles chap. It took zerubbabel approximately 44 years to build the temple compare ezra 1. In the first 6 chapters of the book of ezra, we read about the people who returned from exile. Feb 17, 2016 a chapter by chapter and verse by verse study of ezra taught by pastor paul leboutillier of calvary chapel ontario, oregon.
The story of the israelites second return from babylon takes place in about 458 bc. Even though ezras name does not enter the account of judahs postexilic return to jerusalem until 7. Ezra is the author of the book and is also the main character in the story starting in chapter 7 ezra 7. But the people who lived near them did not want the jews back in the land. 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. God did miracles in the hearts of foreign monarchs like nebuchadnezzar of babylon. Then there is the return led by ezra in chapters 710, and about two thousand people followed ezra. The tradition is that the prophet ezra wrote the book of ezra.
Ezra was most likely the author of both ezra and nehemiah, which might have originally been one book. Not all the jews returned to judah, but some did return. New testament writers do not quote the book of ezra. 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. Cyrus made a decree giving the jewish exiles in his empire the right to return to jerusalem and rebuild the temple in 538 b. Ezra 3 inductive bible study online study and obey. The revival began with the reading of the word of god by ezra. The story of the israelites second return from babylon takes place in about 458. Were already glimpsing the second reason to study ezra. Ad 400 and our english bible it has been divided into two separate works. The book of ezra provides an account of the return of two groups of jews from babylon to jerusalem, where they rebuilt the temple and their community. Ezra records the events relating to the first two groups, and discusses especially the rebuilding of the temple. Ezra character bible study background and lessons name.
Home bible studies ezra studies ezra 3 these small group studies of ezra contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, teaching points, and applications. Title even though ezras name does not enter the account of judahs postexilic return to jerusalem until 7. This is because both jewish and christian tradition attribute authorship to this famous scribepriest. At the conclusion of 2 kings, and also of the preceding book, 2 chronicles, we have seen the state of misery and desolation to which the kingdoms of israel and judah were reduced through their unparalleled ingratitude to god, and their innumerable backslidings and rebellions. From sunday, february, 11 2018 at calvary chapel tricities, kennewick, wa. Take time today to acknowledge gods sovereignty and mercy in your life. In fact, ezra is the first priest the bible calls a scribe ezra 7.
Book of ezra read, study bible verses online bible study tools. Jul 05, 2018 the book of 2 chronicles ended with an official message that king cyrus of persia sent in 538 b. Ezra is a book of narrative history and genealogies. The greater part of this book, though it bears the name of ezra, tells of the pioneers who came back from exile to jerusalem a whole lifetime before him. The revival began with the reading of the word of god by ezra nehemiah 8.
Ezra, as a priest, was unable to serve during the captivity. At the conclusion of 2 kings, and also of the preceding book, 2 chronicles, we have seen the state of misery and. Ezra 2 new international version niv the list of the exiles who returned. As students study the book of ezra, they can learn about how the lord enables his people to overcome opposition and accomplish his will. Though the book does not specifically claim ezra as the author, the writing style changes from third person in chapters 16 to first person for the rest of the book. The lord, the god of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has. A chapter by chapter and verse by verse study of ezra taught by pastor paul leboutillier of calvary chapel ontario, oregon. The nwt study bible is complete with cross references, maps, and an accurate bible dictionary. Strongs exhaustive concordance of the bible, numbered to the hebrew, chaldee, and greek, and english, coded to the strongs concordance numbers. There are three successive major concerns in the books of ezra and nehemiah.
In the hebrew bible mt ezra nehemiah is a single work. The book of ezra provides a muchneeded link in the historical record of the israelite people. Scribes were a special class of priests who devoted themselves to studying and teaching the old testament scriptures. 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. Lessons from ezra for believers today michael hardt. The books of ezra and nehemiah are the only completely historical books in the third section of the hebrew bible, the ketuvim writings. There is the return of the captives from babylon led by zerubbabel in the first six chapters. 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.
In english bibles, they are usually split into two, with the book of nehemiah appearing as a separate book from ezra, but in the hebrew tradition, they are one book, entitled ezra, and nehemiah is simply the second part of ezra. Dec 12, 2018 the book of ezra is part of the historical books of the bible. To appreciate the significance of ezras journey to jerusalem, we need to bear in mind that 80 years had passed since the first return from babylon ch. The first part of the book of ezra 16 begins with that same message and then tells how many of the jews returned to jerusalem and began work on the temple. 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 chapters of the book of ezra. The events in ezra are set in jerusalem and the surrounding area. The book of nehemiah is the continuation of the account that begins in the book of ezra. Feb 18, 2018 part 1 in a study through the book of ezra. A chapter by chapter study of the book of ezra scripture. Cyrus helps the exiles to return in the first year of cyrus king of persia, in order to fulfill the word of the lord spoken by jeremiah, the lord moved the heart of cyrus king of persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing. In the first year of cyrus king of persia, in order to fulfill the word of the lord spoken by jeremiah, the lord moved the heart of cyrus king of persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing. When their king was dethroned and captured and the people exiled to babylon, judah as an independent nation ceased to exist. The books of ezra and nehemiah originally made up one book in the hebrew scriptural canon. Nehemiah continues the story with an inspiring account of returning to faithfulness and doing gods work, no matter what.
An integrated digital bible study library including complete notes from the niv study bible and the nkjv macarthur study bible, 2nd edition is. Ezra and some other israelitestemple servants, priests, singers, gatekeepers, levitestake around four or five months to journey to jerusalem. Ezra is most likely the author of both ezra and nehemiah, which might have originally been one book. The book was divided into two books in the third century a. Youll get this book and many others when you join bible gateway plus. In this 12week study, kathleen nielson shows readers gods mercy and faithfulness demonstrated in the books of ezra and nehemiah, encouraging christians toward sincere repentance and persevering hope. A study of the book of ezra lone oak first baptist church. Summary of the books of ezra the story of the bible.
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