Ezra 1:1~10:17
Ezra , Sarah Barry
THE TIME OF EXILE ENDS
Passage: Ezra 1:1~2:70
Key verse: 1:2
INTRODUCTION TO EZRA
When the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and its temple in 586 BC, they deported the prominent families of Judah to Babylon. The Babylonian captivity was God's judgment on his idolatrous people, but it was also part of God's plan to lead them to repentance and finally restore them. Cyrus the Persian conquered Babylon in 539 BC and allowed the first exiles to return and rebuild the temple, fulfilling the prophecy of Jeremiah. The temple was completed in 516 BC, 70 years after it had been destroyed. Ezra was a priest who lived in Babylon. His mission was to be a shepherd and Bible teacher to restore his people as a holy nation. Ezra is the author of the book bearing his name. In Chapters 1-6, he writes about the first group of returning exiles and their struggle to rebuild the temple. In the remaining chapters, he describes his own ministry. In 458 BC, Ezra led the second large group of exiles back to Jerusalem. After arriving, he dealt with the compromises and the idolatry that had corrupted the returned exiles. Nehemiah came a few years later (445 BC) and rebuilt the wall. A key verse of Ezra is 7:10: '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.'
THE TIME OF EXILE ENDS
Prayer: Lord, help me not to give up on your promise, because you have power to fulfill it at any moment. Help me keep my spiritual identity while I am exiled in this world.
One Word: Keep faith in God's restoration
When the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and its temple in 586 BC, they deported the prominent families of Judah to Babylon. The Babylonian captivity was God's judgment on his idolatrous people, but it was also part of God's plan to lead them to repentance and finally restore them. Cyrus the Persian conquered Babylon in 539 BC and allowed the first exiles to return and rebuild the temple, fulfilling the prophecy of Jeremiah. The temple was completed in 516 BC, 70 years after it had been destroyed. Ezra was a priest who lived in Babylon. His mission was to be a shepherd and Bible teacher to restore his people as a holy nation. Ezra is the author of the book bearing his name. In Chapters 1-6, he writes about the first group of returning exiles and their struggle to rebuild the temple. In the remaining chapters, he describes his own ministry. In 458 BC, Ezra led the second large group of exiles back to Jerusalem. After arriving, he dealt with the compromises and the idolatry that had corrupted the returned exiles. Nehemiah came a few years later (445 BC) and rebuilt the wall. A key verse of Ezra is 7:10: '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.'
THE TIME OF EXILE ENDS
1. The order to return and build the temple (1:1-11)
After the Israelites had suffered as aliens for 70 years of exile, Cyrus king of Persia ordered them to return to their homeland. Not only that, he commanded the temple to be rebuilt, gave back all the gold and silver articles from the temple, and made sure the exiles were well provided for on their return journey. Cyrus acknowledged that the Lord was the God of heaven who had made him king. He fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah exactly. God can use anyone to fulfill his promise at any time.
2. The families of Israel (2:1-70)
The exiles who returned needed their family records so they could reclaim their ancestral lands and participate in the temple worship. Most of them had faithfully kept those records throughout the time of exile. Doing so was an expression of their faith in God's promise of restoration. We also need to hold on to our identity as God's people during our spiritual exile in this fallen world.
Prayer: Lord, help me not to give up on your promise, because you have power to fulfill it at any moment. Help me keep my spiritual identity while I am exiled in this world.
One Word: Keep faith in God's restoration
