The Book of Ezra

Forgiveness and Restoration

Jesus Christ Our Destiny Church

November 05, 2017
 POST EXILIC PERIOD
First deportation. Second deportation. Fall of Babylon
Daniel and other youths 10,000 taken to Persians
taken to Babylon. (including Ezekiel).

606 597 539 536

E X I L E
536

722 586 536 516

___________________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ____________________________

FALL OF FALL OF RETURN TEMPLE

ISRAEL JUDAH FROM EXILE REBUILT

3rd & Final 1st Return 2nd Return 3rd Return

Deportation Zerubbabel leads Led by Ezra Led by Nehemiah
Destruction of about 50,000 exiles (446-433)
Jerusalem and back to Jerusalem.
the Temple.
E Z R A NEHEMIAH

538-516 444 - 425

458-457

ESTHER

483-473
Video Presentation 1 & 2
Ezra, who was a priest, has traditionally
been identified as the author of Ezra and
author/compiler of Nehemiah
Ezra and Nehemiah originally one composition –
Josephus (A.D. 37-100) Jewish Historian
• Origen (A.D. 185 -253) – first writer known to
distinguish the books as I Ezra and II Ezra
• Jerome, translator of the Latin Vulgate (fifteen
years) called Nehemiah the second book of Ezra
• Hebrew Manuscript (Hebrew Bible) separation first
occurred in 1448
 Timeline of Ezra and Nehemiah
• 538-515 B.C. – First return under Zerubbabel
• 483-473 B.C. – The Book of Esther
• 456 B.C. – Second return under Ezra
• 444-425 B.C. – Third return under Nehemiah
 Ezra
• Great figure in Jewish History
• Descendent of Israel’s High Priest Aaron
• Studied, practiced and taught the law as an
educated scribe (7:1-12)
• Founder of the Great Synagogue where the canon
of the OT Scripture was settled
 Contemporaries of Ezra

• Guatama Buddha (560-480 B.C.) in India

• Confucius (551-479 B.C.) in China
• Socrates (470-399 B.C.) in Greece
 Structure and History:
Ezra 1-6: The First Return
• Return of a Remnant (49,897 of 2 or 3 million)
• Leader was Zerubbabel – means “descended from
Babylon”
o Lineage of David
• Names of the heads of Remnant
o Judah, Benjamin and Levi
 Structure and History:
Ezra 1-6: The First Return
• Rebuild the Temple
o Altar
o Religious Feasts – Passover
o Dedication of the Building
• Prophetic Ministry of Haggai and Zechariah
 Structure and History:
Ezra 7-10: The Second Return under Ezra
• 81 years after the first return – 456 B.C.
• 2000 Israelites
• Intercessory Ministry of Ezra (9:1-15)
• Renewal of the Covenant (Confession of Sin and
Reformation)
Confession and response to the
Word of God brings about a
great revival and changed lives.
Lessons from Ezra
 Lessons From Ezra
1. Results of • Failure to heed led
neglecting to study to captivity.
and obey God’s • Lack of knowledge
word. led to destruction.
• Drifted into
apostasy.
• Spiritual growth
requires study.
 Lessons From Ezra
2. Marrying outside • Led to much grief and
of God’s family. heartache
• The same problem
caused Solomon to
fall.
• Two people going in
two different
directions.
• Additional hardships.
 Lessons From Ezra
3. The power of • Three preachers helped
preaching and true to preserve the faithful
repentance. remnant.
• Getting the law back
into their hearts.
• Must preach the truth,
and only true
repentance can bring
peace and security.
 Lessons From Ezra
4. The sorrow that • Ezra confessed
sin always their sins.
brings. • Ashamed of their
conduct—no
excuses!
• Their only hope
was in returning
to God’s ways.
 Lessons From Ezra
5. Divine • Jeremiah foretold the 70-
providence in year captivity.
the book of Ezra. {Jere.25:12}
• Isaiah had named Cyrus
{Isa.44:28}
• Persian rulers were
more humane.
• Loyal work of people
such as Daniel, Esther,
and Nehemiah.
 Lessons From Ezra
5. People need to be • Requirements in rebuilding
damaged/destroyed things
broken and in our lives:
restored. 1. Destruction/severe
damage
2. Permission from God
3. Never allowing outside
help unless God says
so
4. Volunteers/Voluntary
Offerings