INTRODUCTION TO EZRA

When the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC, they deported the best people to Babylon. The Babylonian captivity was God's judgment on his idolatrous people. God's purpose was to lead them to repentance. The Babylonian captivity, according to Jeremiah's prophecy, was to last 70 years. Cyrus the Persian conquered Babylon in 539 BC and allowed the first exiles led by Zerubbabel to return to build the temple. The temple was completed after much struggle in 516 BC--70 years after it had been destroyed. Ezra lived in Babylon. He led the second large group of exiles back to Jerusalem in 458 BC Ezra's mission was to be a shepherd and Bible teacher for the exiles who had forgotten God's laws and were wandering in a spiritual and moral wilderness. Nehemiah came a few years later (445 BC) and rebuilt the wall.

Ezra probably wrote 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Psalm 119. In Ezra 1-6, he writes about the first returnees. They had finished rebuilding the temple. In the remaining chapters, he describes his own ministry. He was concerned about the compromises and the idolatry which had corrupted the returned exiles. Ezra 7:10 is the key verse: '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.'

1. God keeps his word (1-4)

The Lord had promised that after 70 years the Jews exiled in Babylon could return to Jerusalem. God kept his word by allowing Cyrus king of Persia to conquer Babylon. Then he moved the king's heart to allow the exiles to return and rebuild the temple of the Lord. (See Isa 44:28; Jer 29:10.) He acknowledged the God of heaven; he recognized that his power came from God, and he believed that God had appointed him to build the temple in Jerusalem (2). God controls history; sometimes he uses kings and worldly men to accomplish his purposes.

2. God moved the people's hearts (5-11)

At first, life in exile had been hard. After many years, however, they became Babylonians. The Jews bought into Babylon, and it was hard to leave and return to the devastated land of Judah. God moved the hearts of a few leaders to accept this mission and return to rebuild the temple.

Application: Lord, help me to see what you want to do in my time and accept your mission. Thank you for keeping your promises.
One Word: Accept God's mission