Ezra

LeRoy Eims

This book is named for the man who had a profound influence upon the new era of history for the people of God. The Book of Ezra begins with the last statement from the Book of Second Chronicles.

The period of captivity is between the announcement of the fall of Jerusalem in the last chapters of Kings and Chronicles, and the opening words of this book. For what went on during that period, we will look into the books of Daniel, Ezekiel and some of the Psalms.

Ezra falls into two sections. The first extends from the decree of Cyrus permitting the people to return to Jerusalem, to the completion and dedication of the second temple. The second part extends from the time the king gave Ezra permission to lead a second expedition to Jerusalem, to the end of the book.

Ezra was a man who loved God and loved His Word. His objective in going to Jerusalem was to call the people back to God. They had become negligent of the Word of God, had intermarried with idolatrous people, and were in need of being restored to the worship of God. Their leaders had died and no one had risen to take their place. Socially, morally and spiritually they had degenerated.

Here's a tip to help you understand the history of that time. It is to the book of Esther we must look for information concerning the Jews during the 57 years between the completion and the coming of Ezra. It is during this time that the events of Esther occurred. Therefore it is helpful to read the Book of Esther after the sixth chapter of Ezra. Next go back to the seventh chapter of Ezra and finish the book.

That will give you a greater insight into the history of the time and it helps put the Book of Esther in its proper historical perspective. The books of Haggai and Zechariah could also be read with the first six chapters since two prophets were among those who went to Jerusalem at that time.

It is interesting to explore why God's hand was on Ezra and why he was used so mightily to accomplish God's purposes. "This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given; and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the Lord, his God, upon him." (Ezra 7:6) Later he says, "And I was strengthened as the hand of the Lord, my God, was upon me." (Ezra 7:28) Ezra 7:9 says he came to Jerusalem "according to the good hand of his God upon him."

Why was the hand of God upon Ezra? The next verse tells us: "For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments." (Ezra 7:10)

Notice those four things. He had prepared his heart. How do we do that? Through prayer: "If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him: if iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles." (Job 11:13,14)

The word "scribe" had come to mean "one learned in the scriptures." A scribe was one who made the Word of God a subject of daily study.

"And to do it;" that is: obedience. He learned the Word of God and then did it. "And to teach in Israel statutes and judgments;" he shared with others what he learned.

He was a man of prayer, a man of the Word, a man of obedience, and one who shared with others what God had taught him. Now that's encouraging. You and I can do that. We can pray. We can study the Word, obey it and pass the blessings of salvation on to others. Ezra did and experienced the hand of God upon his life.

In order that the people might be truly instructed in the Word of God it was necessary for them to understand it. Here is where Ezra rendered a great service. "So they read the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." (Nehemiah 8:8).