“Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king. He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was on him. 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” (Ezra 7:8-10).
Though Ezra is not one of the more widely known figures in the Bible, he played a vital role in the spiritual health of the Jewish people. He spent his life as a priest, serving the Israelites during their exile in Babylon and as they returned to Jerusalem. And his religious leadership helped generate a revival among the Jews as they resettled.
Called “the father of Judaism” or “the second Moses” by some, Ezra was passionate about God’s Law. It was the foundation of his own life, and he used the Torah (which later became the first five books of the Old Testament) to remind others how to live righteously.
This prophet of God was also an intercessor, actively seeking the Lord’s mercy for himself and others. He knew the power of confession and repentance to reawaken faith, something he longed for the Jewish people to experience.
Ezra, along with Zerubbabel and Nehemiah, brought groups of people back into the holy city. But as the other two focused mainly on rebuilding the temple and the city’s walls, Ezra had a heart to restore the worship life of the people.
Ezra, whose name means “help,” was a descendent of Aaron, the chief priest under Moses, and was related to Joshua, who became the High Priest of the rebuilt temple (Ezra 3:2).
Appointed to be a priest and a scribe, Ezra was also a prolific writer. In addition to the book that bears his name, he contributed to both 1 and 2 Chronicles, as well as to the book of Nehemiah. Psalm 119, a beautiful 176-verse ode to God’s Word, is thought to have been penned by him as well.
“He was a teacher, well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given” (Ezra 7:6).
In about 538 B.C., King Cyrus of Persia proclaimed that God’s temple in Jerusalem was to be rebuilt. The first group of volunteers left Babylon, led by Zerubbabel. They soon met up with opposition from political enemies, and eventually had to stop the work. After about ten years, the project resumed, and was finally completed in about 516 B.C.
“The temple was completed on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius” (Ezra 6:15).
Ezra was granted permission by the next king, Antaxerxes, to lead another group of exiles back. He found the temple restored to glory, but soon realized that the worship life of the remnant needed repairing.
“...the leaders came to me and said, ‘the people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices...They have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, and have mingled the holy race with the peoples around them” (Ezra 9:1, 2).
When told of the people’s sin, Ezra immediately tore his cloak and sat down. Later, he rose to his knees and prayed out to God for forgiveness. Afterwards, he issued a call for all the exiles to gather in the city, where he directed the men to separate from their foreign wives and children. The people obeyed, and eventually re-established other practices such as tithing and observing the sabbath.
As for the end of his life, some scholars hold that Ezra was buried in Jerusalem, but others claim his body was returned to Babylonia and buried there.
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The book was originally written for those Jews who were returning to Jerusalem from their exile in Babylon. Composed around 450 B.C., though perhaps started earlier, it documents events that occurred between 538-450 B.C.
The book of Ezra actually continues on with the historical events at the end of 2 Chronicles. It covers two spans of time: the first journey back to Jerusalem (538-515 B.C.) directed by Zerubbabel, and then the second group under Ezra, starting about 60 years later in 458 B.C.
In the Hebrew Bible, Ezra and Nehemiah were presented as one book, and can still be read that way. Because the prophets Haggai and Zechariah also ministered in Jerusalem during this time period, their books can be studied alongside Ezra’s. All of them emphasize the restoration of the nation’s physical and spiritual life.
The major themes of the book of Ezra include:
Reading the book of Ezra, as well as the corresponding books, provides us with a comprehensive historical account of that period. Through learning places and names, we can gain a greater context for the words these prophets wrote.
This account teaches us what it means to stay committed to a task. Those volunteers who worked on the altar and then the temple dealt with active opposition and long delays on the project. Yet, they held onto their passion to rebuild, and kept the vision alive for others along the way.
Ezra, as well as Nehemiah, reminds us of some powerful ways we can show worship to God. His practices of prayer (Ezra 9:5-15), fasting (Ezra 8:21, 23), and confession (Ezra 10:1-15) helped to revive the soul of the Israelite nation.
Ezra encourages us to stand up for our faith. He knew that the Torah had been neglected by many during the Jewish exile. So in Jerusalem, he boldly spoke up for God’s Laws. Though some didn’t yet understand his message, his fervor and fire convinced them.
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1. We Can Trust in God’s Deliverance
The Lord unexpectedly used the King of Persia to start bringing His people back to their homeland after a lengthy exile. He always finds a way to accomplish good for believers who look to Him, though His methods may surprise us.
Submitting our lives into God’s care means we can find peace, even in situations that might at times look bleak.
2. We Need Times of Rededication and Renewal
God blessed the Jews with a revival after a long period away from their homeland. They began making sacrifices again on the newly rebuilt altar, and joyfully celebrated as the temple rose up. Finally, with hearts turned to repentance, the people found their spiritual purpose again.
Going “back to basics” is a way for believers to find refreshment and new devotion for the Lord.
3. We Will Face Opposition to Living a Godly Life
God protected those who were working on rebuilding the temple from others who tried to frustrate and discourage them. He gave Zerubbabel and his fellow leaders the boldness to stand firm in their work, and their worship, until the opposition lifted.
The more we align with God, the less distractions or even outright resistance will hold us back from what we’re called to do.
4. We Must Stay Rooted in God’s Word
God chose Ezra to become the protector of His Law and a prayer intercessor for the Jews. Ezra’s heart was burdened for those who had strayed from God’s Ways. He knew that a return to purity and an obedience of the Lord’s commands would set the people on the right path forward.
Scripture reading and study will keep us aware of what God asks of us, and will become our “compass” as we make our way in the world.
5. We Are Called to Act on Our Faith
The Lord moved in the hearts of His people to listen to and obey Ezra’s pleas, especially about intermarriage outside the faith. The men agreed to separate from any foreign people around them, including wives - not an easy task. But they realized that following God’s Ways, however challenging, would be an outward expression of their newfound devotion.
Doing what God calls us to, even when it inconveniences us or makes us uncomfortable, shows a true desire to please the Lord, and can have an impact on those who are watching.
Ezra helped lead the faith of the Israelites at a very important time in their history. God used this prophet’s devotion and bold voice to convict them of their sinful choices, and to purify their hearts. Ezra’s words about God’s holiness and perfect plan for His people should still resonate with believers today.
“‘Now honor the Lord, the God of your ancestors, and do his will’” (Ezra 10:11).
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