About This Book
Ezra chronicles the Jewish return from Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of Jerusalem's temple, demonstrating God's faithfulness to restore His people. The book opens with Cyrus, king of Persia, decreeing that Jews may return to Jerusalem to rebuild God's temple, fulfilling Jeremiah's seventy-year prophecy. God stirs the hearts of nearly 50,000 people to return under Zerubbabel's leadership. Cyrus even returns the temple articles Nebuchadnezzar had plundered.
Upon arrival, the returnees immediately rebuild the altar and reinstitute sacrifices, though the temple foundation isn't laid until later. When foundations are laid, people respond with mixed emotions—joy from the young but weeping from elders who remember Solomon's temple's glory. Opposition arises from Samaritans and surrounding peoples who offer to help but are refused because of their syncretistic religion. These adversaries then work to frustrate the rebuilding through intimidation and false accusations to Persian authorities, successfully stopping construction for years.
Through prophets Haggai and Zechariah's ministry, work resumes under Zerubbabel and Jeshua. When the governor questions their authority, investigation reveals Cyrus's original decree. King Darius confirms it and orders opponents to support the building with resources and protection. The temple is completed and dedicated with joy.
The narrative then jumps about sixty years to Ezra himself, a priest and scribe skilled in God's law. Artaxerxes grants Ezra's request to lead another group to Jerusalem, providing resources and authority. Ezra discovers that many returnees, including priests and Levites, have married pagan women, compromising their covenant distinctiveness. After genuine mourning and confession, the people agree to separate from foreign wives, painfully addressing covenant violation and recommitting to God's law.