Ezra 1:1~10:17
Ezra , Sarah Barry
TO FULFILL THE WORD OF THE LORD
Passage: Ezra 1:1~2:70
Key verse: 1:1
INTRODUCTION TO EZRA
This book is named for its author, who is also assumed to have written 1 and 2 Chronicles and Psalm 119. Ezra lived after the nation of Israel was deported to Babylon. He was born in Babylon, but returned to Israel with some other Israelites around 458 BC.
Ezra was used to teach the word of God and provide leadership for the people in Jerusalem so that they might repent their unfaithfulness and worship God acceptably. A previous group of exiles had returned and begun to work on the temple building. Ezra was instrumental in serving the worship of God, both at the temple and in the lives of the people. He dealt with their unfaithfulness and helped to establish the people in God’s covenant and Law once again.
The people of Israel were in Babylon. The king of the Babylonians had forcibly removed them from Israel, but according to 2 Chronicles 36:17, it was God who gave the people into the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar. The Lord had promised that after 70 years he would then bring the people of Israel back (Jer 29:10). Now the Lord moved the heart of King Cyrus to testify to the God of heaven as the source of his power. The kings of this world appeared to be in control, but God is in control of all history. He is sovereign over the strongest kings; he is sovereign over the hearts of men. He is working to fulfill his word of promise in all things.
King Cyrus issued a proclamation to build a temple for the Lord. He sent exiles back to Jerusalem for this purpose. He sent back the articles of worship that his predecessor King Nebuchadnezzar had taken. He commanded the returning exiles to also collect offerings and assistance from the people who had remained in Israel. Many of those who returned were of the line of the temple servants. The Lord sent his people back to reinstate the worship of God. God is fulfilling all things so that we may worship him acceptably.
Prayer: Lord, please rule in my life and in my heart so that I may worship you. Help me to see God who is fulfilling all things.
One Word: God fulfills his word
This book is named for its author, who is also assumed to have written 1 and 2 Chronicles and Psalm 119. Ezra lived after the nation of Israel was deported to Babylon. He was born in Babylon, but returned to Israel with some other Israelites around 458 BC.
Ezra was used to teach the word of God and provide leadership for the people in Jerusalem so that they might repent their unfaithfulness and worship God acceptably. A previous group of exiles had returned and begun to work on the temple building. Ezra was instrumental in serving the worship of God, both at the temple and in the lives of the people. He dealt with their unfaithfulness and helped to establish the people in God’s covenant and Law once again.
The people of Israel were in Babylon. The king of the Babylonians had forcibly removed them from Israel, but according to 2 Chronicles 36:17, it was God who gave the people into the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar. The Lord had promised that after 70 years he would then bring the people of Israel back (Jer 29:10). Now the Lord moved the heart of King Cyrus to testify to the God of heaven as the source of his power. The kings of this world appeared to be in control, but God is in control of all history. He is sovereign over the strongest kings; he is sovereign over the hearts of men. He is working to fulfill his word of promise in all things.
King Cyrus issued a proclamation to build a temple for the Lord. He sent exiles back to Jerusalem for this purpose. He sent back the articles of worship that his predecessor King Nebuchadnezzar had taken. He commanded the returning exiles to also collect offerings and assistance from the people who had remained in Israel. Many of those who returned were of the line of the temple servants. The Lord sent his people back to reinstate the worship of God. God is fulfilling all things so that we may worship him acceptably.
Prayer: Lord, please rule in my life and in my heart so that I may worship you. Help me to see God who is fulfilling all things.
One Word: God fulfills his word
