A Study in Ezra Week 1 Part B

Ezra was a descendant of Hilkiah (Ezra 7:1), the high priest who found a copy of the law during the reign of Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:14). 

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 7:6).  Ezra was a great revivalist and reformer.  The revival began with the reading of the Word of God by Ezra (Nehemiah 8).  He organized the synagogue, founded the order of scribes, helped settle the canon of Scripture and arranged the Psalms.

Chapter 1

Verse 1 — “Cyrus, king of Persia” was one of the most enlightened rulers of the ancient world.  He was a subject of predictive prophecy. He was named before he was born — almost 200 years before he became king of Persia. He is a type of Christ.

Verses 2-4 — “The LORD God of heaven” is a designation of God which is peculiar to Ezra, Nehemiah and Daniel. In the post-captivity books He is “the LORD God of heaven.” Cyrus gave permission to the Jews to: (1) return to the land, (2) rebuild the city of Jerusalem, and (3) rebuild the temple.

Verses 5-11 — Very few avail themselves of this opportunity (see Ezra 2:64, 65).  Most of the captives are now settled and satisfied in Babylon.  They still their consciences by giving generously to those who do return. Cyrus returns the vessels of gold taken from the temple by Nebuchadnezzar.

Chapter 2

Verses 1- This is about the return under Zerubbabel. Total number who return at this time under Zerubbabel:

Total congregation: 42,360. Servants and maids: 7,337. Singers, both male and female: 200. Grand total 49,897. There were 4,289 priests, 347 Levites.

Chapter 3 – Chapters are about the rebuilding of the altar and the temple. Notice how well organized the rebuilding of each is.

Verses 1-6 — Preparation is made for rebuilding the altar. The purpose of the altar was to make sacrifices to the Lord of burnt (cooked) offerings. Under the New Covenant, we do not have an altar at which to make sacrifices. We have only two sacrifices worthy of offering to God: The sacrifice of praise and the sacrifice of ourselves (Romans 12:1 & 2).

Verses 7-9 — Preparation is made for rebuilding the temple. We no longer have a temple. Under the New Covenant, we ARE the temple. God’s word is in our hearts in the person of the Holy Spirit. In fact, NONE of the ceremonial and/or legal requirements of the Old Covenant are applicable to those under the New Covenant.

Verses 10-13 — The foundation is laid with mingled songs of praise and tears of mourning (see Haggai for the explanation of this seemingly contradictory reaction to the rebuilding of the temple).

Chapter 4:1-24 —There were those who tried to stop the rebuilding of the temple. The enemies’ first effort at disrupting the rebuilding of the temple is to offer to become allies. This is absolutely rejected. In the second effort to hinder the work, the enemy seeks to disrupt the building by various means. The third effort to stop the rebuilding of the temple is a letter sent by the enemy to Artaxerxes with false accusations. The contents of the letter are given. The enemy succeeds in sending a letter to Artaxerxes, and he shoots back a reply that the work is to cease.  The suspension of work continues until the time of Darius, king of Persia.

Chapter 5 Verses 1-17 — Haggai and Zechariah encourage the people to resume rebuilding of the temple.  When the leaders are challenged, they appeal to Darius. Darius grants permission to resume the rebuilding of the temple. 

Chapter 6:1-22 — Darius issues a decree which confirms the original decree of Cyrus. The temple is rebuilt under the inspiration of Haggai and Zechariah.  God is identified here as the God of Israel (not Judah).  This means there were some from all tribes in Jerusalem at this time. Those who returned are likewise identified here as “the children of Israel.” The language here is more explicit: “all Israel.” The emphasis again is upon the Word of God. The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are observed again.

We see organization as a characteristic of God from the order of creation, the building of the temple, the rebuilding of the altar and the temple and in the rebuilding of the wall in Nehemiah. If we are to be like Him we must be organized.

God has once again (as in Esther) taken the necessary steps to ensure that the lineage of David is secure until the coming of Messiah.