Ezra probably wrote this book, as well as the Chronicles. These next three short books--Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther--deal with Judah, the southern kingdom, in the time period right after the Babylonian captivity, when some of the exiles are allowed to return to their land. The last three books of prophecy deal with this period: Haggai and Zechariah spoke to the discouraged settlers, and Malachi almost 100 years later to the people and priests who were already turning away from God.

The years of captivity in Babylon were not a time of punishment and slavery. What had Jeremiah told them before they went into captivity? Jer. 29:4-7. The culture there was quite advanced; the hanging gardens of Babylon were one of the seven wonders of the world. The Jews had a great deal of freedom and self-government. Many prospered and put down roots and few chose to return to their desolated homeland.

This time saw the beginning of the synagogue that we read of in the Gospels; with no temple for sacrifice, groups gathered for the study of God’s Word. The scribes we read of in the Gospels were those devoted to study and teaching, like Ezra, 7:6. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew but now the Jews spoke Aramaic, so translators and interpreters were needed. Their written teachings later would be held of equal importance in their eyes with Scripture--the traditions of men that Jesus often referred to.

One group goes back, then 60 years later Ezra takes a group back, then Nehemiah takes a group. The book of Esther takes place between the first and second group of returnees.

CHAPTER 1

This book begins with the last two verses of II Chronicles, continuing the historical timeline.

1-2 What country are we in now? Which used to be what? Ruled by whom? Before it was conquered by the who and who? Now just called Persia, which is called what today? Iraq (the region originally known as Mesopotamia--the land of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers--the fertile crescent). We read about them in the visions in what book of prophecy? God moves a Gentile king to put Israel back in their land. Not only that, but God predicted him by name through Isaiah 200 years before Cyrus. Read Isa. 44:28-45:7. What does it mean that God "stirred up" his spirit? This speaks to the fact that God is sovereign yet gives man free will; we see this terminology in many places.

Do Cyrus's words indicate that he is a believer in the true God? What biblical evidence may support that idea? Dan. 6, especially verses 25-28. Those who say no say he was interested in placating the gods of all his surrounding territories. His words are similar to Nebuchadnezzar's in Dan. 4:24-25, 34-37, after God humbled him and he appeared to recognize who the true God is. We see kings of Gentile nations that seem to have, or come to learn, some level of knowledge and recognition of God. We see God dealing with leaders of nations both in the Old and New Testaments. We wonder if the same is true throughout history?

If he is God's anointed, is that proof that he must be a believer? I Sam. 16:13 implies that anointing brings the power of the Holy Spirit upon that person to accomplish God's purposes. It's hard to believe God would give that title to an unbeliever. If he is not a believer, what can we learn from this title? We know God uses unbelievers to accomplish His purposes but nowhere else does He give one such a title. Many events in Israel's history are prophesied in advance in detail, but only this one names an individual; why might that be? The historian Josephus wrote that Daniel, Cyrus's prime minister, showed Cyrus the prophecy about him.

“The Lord, the God of heaven.” This phrase is mostly found in Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel. What other interesting terms does he use for God?

4 Those that don’t go are to what? What application might we take from this? Missions giving?

5 “Whose spirit God had stirred up.” Did God make them go do His will, against their will? 1, did He make Cyrus do this, against his own will? Do we not act unless we feel God moving us? Or is this just a way of saying, they are now preparing for some action, which happens to coincide with God's will? We don't know how that works.

Men from which tribes? Remember how the true believers in the northern kingdom migrated down to Judah, so that Judah/Levi/Benjamin actually are made up of remnants of all twelve tribes. II Chr. 11:14-16.

7, what will be returned also?

8, Sheshbazzar is the what? Some think he is the Persian governor; some think this is the Persian or Babylonian name of Zerubbabel, who we meet in the next chapter. He may be Z's uncle, I Chr. 3:17-19, if Shenazzar is another name for Sheshbazzar. He is the high priest and governor (not king), being the grandson of the last king, Jeconiah, so he is in the line of what important king? David.

11, here they are referred to as what?

If Cyrus does indeed recognize the true God, why might he be doing this? Followers of the true God must offer what? Where? Can that be done if there is no temple? No sacrifices were offered in Babylon during the exile, or afterwards, for those who stayed.

CHAPTER 2

A listing of names and how many. Do we see the usual listing by tribes? Sometimes sons of, sometimes men of (a city). Probably few had personally lived there except as children.

2, who led this first group? He is in the line of the kings, but he is governor--no more kings. Jeshua is high priest, see 40. 41, Asaph is a what, 40? We read of him in I Chron. where he is among the Levites who were appointed to minister in the temple in song; he wrote some of the Psalms. This is not the Nehemiah and Mordecai of the other Bible accounts; Nehemiah lived about 100 years later, and Mordecai lived later and did not return but stayed in Persia.

59, 62, what was the important thing? Genealogies were extremely important in the Bible. Records have been kept all this time. Numbers are given in 64-67. This was the size of the group traveling the long journey from Babylon to Jerusalem. 1:6-11, would they be in danger of robbers? They probably were armed and organized for possible battle. 68-69, in the Old Testament we read of the required tithe, 10%, but what New Testament principle do we see here? I Cor. 16:2, II Cor. 9:7.

Did they just settle in Jerusalem?

There are numerical discrepancies in these two chapters, which may have to do with rounding vs. exact, exactly who or what is being counted, the way the Hebrew language uses numbers, or other factors.

CHAPTER 3

In the seventh month, they build the altar and begin to offer sacrifices. In the second year, they begin work on a new temple--the old one was burned and destroyed. What have they been doing up till then?

10-11, the music is for what two purposes? Not what? The Bible never says we worship with music; worship is our personal response of yielding ourselves in obedience to God and is related to offering a sacrifice, Gen. 22:5. 12-13, how did the people react to what was built thus far? The old and the young. The original temple was quite ornate.

CHAPTER 4

1-5 Who approaches them? What do they want? Do they claim to be followers of God? Even if that was true, did they worship Him exclusively, in the way the Law commanded? Do we see this today? What God? Do they seek Him in accord with His Word? Syncretism: combining differing beliefs and practices, inclusivity. Today?

Do the leaders say, "Wow, that's so cool, sure"? Was their answer harsh and unloving, judgmental, unchristian? They were bold in standing on the truth. What is the lesson for us? Don’t compromise with liberal Christians or unbelievers. Might the Christian be called upon to give this kind of answer? Might it be hard, awkward, have negative consequences for you?

4-5, now what tactics do they try? Is this what Christians and conservatives experience today? We are warned to be on guard, not to be naïve. This went on during the reigns of Cyrus and Darius.

6-23 Ezra has been giving the historical account of the rebuilding of God's house, but now jumps ahead a few years to mention the next two kings, giving the big picture that opposition continued for years, both when building up the city and later, under Nehemiah, the walls. What tactic does he show the opposition trying now? Like things going on in our government today? Weaponizing government, fake news, disinformation. Might our government tell us to stop doing what the Bible says, or to do something the Bible says not to?

24 Now that he has established the big picture, Ezra comes back to the situation he has been describing--the work on God's house, which comes to a halt for about ten years, when Darius the Great/Darius Hystapses comes in (not because of the letter mentioned in the previous verses--remember, that speaks of a later date, under Nehemiah). We are not given a reason why, but will find out more about that at the beginning of the next chapter. All this happens before Exra returns to the land, which is not until Artaxerxes becomes king, in chapter 7.

Cyrus, Darius, Xerxes/Ahasuerus, Artaxerxes are all part of God’s plan. The Bible tells us God’s plans as they relate to Israel, our salvation, the Messiah. Do you think God only worked with the rulers the Bible tells about, or should we generalize to all rulers? Is everything in the world fitting into God’s plan? Should we conclude that all kings and all people, whether believers or not, do things that fit into and further God’s plans? That God is at work in everyone's lives all the time?

CHAPTER 5

1 points us to what part of the Bible? The writings of the prophets throughout Israel's history are all grouped together in the final section of the Old Testament, but they prophesied during the earlier events of the Old Testament. Both books speak to this current time period, then jump ahead to the endtimes, as we find in many of the books of prophecy.

Read Hag. 1:1-2:9 (Joshua=Jeshua, the high priest), Zec. 1:1-6, noting at the beginning of each how they are dated. So why had the work on God's house ceased? Because they were too busy working on their own houses! And because they had neglected God, what had resulted? Under the Law, Israel was promised that when they obeyed God, what would happen? And when they didn't? Is this also true in the church age? No, we are not under the Law--neither its blessings nor its curses. Rather than physical blessings, we are promised spiritual blessings, Eph. 1:3.

2, so after they are chastised by Haggai and Zechariah, what results? Which results in what, 3? Getting hassled by the powers that be. Is God in control? Tattenai was the governor of what? This province is mentioned many times in this book--across what river? The Euphrates. The king and the capital were located on the other side of the Euphrates. That terminology is also used in Nehemiah, and in Joshua, speaking of where Abraham and his family came from, and in Kings and Chronicles it refers to where the northern kingdom Israel will be taken into captivity, which at that time was Assyria.

Again Ezra records the letter written to the current king, Darius, asking that he confirm the Jews have orders from Cyrus, the earlier king.

11-12 Interesting that this information was included. When people ask us why we are doing something, or not doing something, or making certain choices in our life, this is a great opportunity to bring up the Lord, our relationship with Him, the truths of Scripture.

CHAPTER 6

Ezra records the king's reply, which quotes the original decree from Cyrus, 3-5. King Darius tells Tattenai to do what in 6-7, and what else in 8-11? Is the lesson here that God will do that for us? That the government is to back and help the church's endeavors? Rather, what are we to learn? Is God able to turn things around, when things are looking bad? Why did He for them, but might not for us? He is protecting and aiding the building of the temple; the church is promised spiritual blessings, not physical. We are told to expect and bear up under tribulations.

How does the governor obey? When was the temple completed, 15? The dedication--Adar is their twelfth month. 17, all Israel, twelve tribes represented. There are not ten lost tribes as many today claim. Nissan, the first month, is when Passover is to be observed, 19 (corresponding to March/April today).

What can we take from 22?

CHAPTER 7

About 60 years have passed since the rebuilding of the temple. The book of Esther takes place during this period. Now who is king? King Artaxerxes succeeded his father King Ahasuerus who was king at the time of Esther. This Artaxerxes could be the son or stepson of Queen Esther--influenced by God, perhaps believing in God.

Who enters the story? Short for Azariah. He now becomes the main character in the rest of this little book. His line traces back to whom? who was the brother of whom? (in the genealogies, "son of" can also mean "in the line of") So he was of which tribe? Where was he?

What happens in this chapter? The king decrees that Ezra, like Zerubbabel, may lead a group to Jerusalem. Why was he able to do this? How long was the journey, 9? What did he as a scribe do? Are we kind of like those scribes?

Again Ezra records the exact words of the legal document for us. What are some things Artaxerxes says that might cause us to think he does believe in the true God? He sends offerings, to be used for what? Animals to be sacrificed; if he believes, he knows that sacrifice must be offered for sin but can only be offered where? What is he concerned about in 23?

25, Ezra is given authority to do what? And 26, the power to do what? What can we learn and apply from 27-28? From this chapter, what have we learned about Ezra's heart, who he was? This sets the stage for later developments.

CHAPTER 8

1-14 Those who went with him. Only the males were counted, so with women and children (21), possibly around 7000.

15-20 They assemble in a camp; what are they missing? This is rectified.

21-23 What was the dilemma? Why might they be in danger? They had much wealth! So they did what? This is one of the few mentions of fasting that does not include the idea of mourning. Here it is a sign of what? Under the Law, what was the guarantee of God's hand of blessing? Is that still true in the church age, since we are no longer under the Law? Some fast today; does that make it more likely God will grant our request? God had not taught or required fasting; apparently the Jews had adopted it because it was the custom then, as a sign of mourning. Is the church told to fast or mourn? Are we told to humble ourselves before God? Why do we not mourn--what is different after the cross?

He had told the king what? Now he had to live up to his faith and testimony. Have we ever found ourselves in a similar situation? Others are watching us to see if our words and our ways match, to see how we live out our faith when trials come. Is it OK to provide for self-protection, even if we pray and trust God? Might some Christians be armed or engage in war, while others do not believe in taking up arms or going to war? Does the Bible allow for both?

31, what did happen along the way? What happened in 33-34? 36, Ezra is diligent to see that they go through all the proper channels everything is done properly.

CHAPTER 9

1-4, this incident happened several months after his arrival, comparing 7:9, 10:9. What has been discovered? We read of the princes in 1, and the princes in 2--are these the same princes? So the leading men who had come with Ezra were speaking to him about the leaders of the people living there, who had come earlier, under Zerubbabel. Was the problem that those leaders had been unable to control the people? Why was this concerning to the new leaders? Compare 8:22. They knew God's Law. Didn't the others? How quickly things can deteriorate, especially if the leaders are not godly.

Ezra’s righteous reaction. Did he say, oh well, I’m outnumbered, I’m too late, I might as well just leave, or keep my mouth shut, or go somewhere else? Or, oh well, it doesn't really matter, or, at this point it just can't be helped?

5-15, what does he do? Ezra’s prayer--do you think it was private or public? He recognizes that disobedience was what sent them into the captivity in the first place. Now they are doing it again!

Ezra says us/our/we, not they/them. Has Ezra or his group done this? Why does he say that? Today we, the church, confess our sins as individuals, not as the church as a whole, but God deals with Israel as a nation. He judges, blesses, or punishes the nation as a whole. We see Daniel pray this way too, confessing that the nation Israel was sinful, even though we did not see Daniel's individual sins. We see Ezra functioning as a priest, as a mediator between Israel and God.

Many Christians today do not understand the difference between Israel and the church and say that our nation needs to repent, that we as Christians need to confess our national sin, but we do not have national sin. They love to quote II Chr. 7:14, but could the church be described as having wicked ways and needing forgiveness? We are in Christ, forgiven, clothed in His righteousness, without spot or wrinkle. Did Israel have wicked ways? Was Israel a saved group of people like the church? No, it was a racial group, and some of them believed and obeyed, usually a minority. Does the church have a land? Don't most who quote this verse apply it to America? Is that scriptural? Their belief is called Christian nationalism. Context is important, 7:11-22.

God does not deal with other nations the way He deals with Israel; He only made a covenant with the nation Israel. The Law of the Old Testament was given only to His people Israel and is not presented as a blueprint for all nations. But those who believe that think that God is done with Israel, that the church as God's people now is now spiritual Israel and that the Law is now for us. Compare Jer. 31:35-37, 32:36-44, 33:15-26, Rom. 11:1-2, 25-27.

8-9, who is being revived? The nation Israel, which had been in bondage because of their sin, but now a remnant has returned to the land. This does not speak of "revival" as used in the modern church--revivals/revival meetings. This term is never used of the church--that teaching is unbiblical. The believer has no need for revival: we have the indwelling Holy Spirit, He does not fall asleep and need awakened, or leave and need to fall on us again. But what may happen to a believer, and what is the answer? If a church seems to lack life, are we to wait and hope and pray for God to "come" and "do something" to us or for us? What is needed? Biblical teaching and preaching, followed by obedience/application.

After briefly reviewing Israel's dismal history, he moves to the current situation, 9, and the specific sin, 10-14, and says it looks hopeless for them. What great points of theology/doctrine does Ezra speak of? He gives a sermon in a prayer.

Do we ever find ourselves falling for the same lies of Satan, falling into old patterns, letting the same weaknesses sneak up on us that we thought we were done with?

CHAPTER 10

So what happened--did Ezra have to confront the people and demand they change? Were they having to do this against their will? Who encouraged who? So what has happened to the people? Conviction of sin, repentance; any excuses? Might sin require drastic pruning in a believer's life? Might there be serious and painful consequences? Were innocent people going to be hurt--wives, children? 6, Ezra fasts because he is what? This is how fasting is usually presented. 7-9, how serious were they? 10-11, Ezra takes the lead. 12-14, they come up with a workable plan. Was everyone in agreement? 16-17, how long did this take?

In the listing of the guilty, first are listed the ones you would least think would be sinful. 18, who is Jeshua son of Jozadak? 5:1-2. Also called Joshua, he was the high priest. 20-22, who were Immer, Harim and Pashhur? 2:36-39. Then are listed some Levites--those in charge of the temple. How could this happen? Apparently the original leaders of those exiles died off--Zerubbabel, Sheshbazzar, Jeshua. If so, had that left a void in godly leadership?

Now we see the importance of what we had read earlier about what kind of man Ezra was. How had God prepared him for this task? He knew the Scriptures, was a stickler for detail, was a strong and proven leader, he gave all the credit to God, was very aware of God's hand guiding him, was concerned that they not provoke God's anger. Might God be using the trials and challenges of life to prepare us for something bigger? Mat. 25:23, Luke 16:10, 19:17.

What are some lessons and applications we can glean from this chapter? About sin, God's Word, His will, His anger, leadership, marriage and family life, God's plan for Israel and differences in the church age? Should a Christian who marries an unbeliever and then is convicted about it, then divorce their spouse? Does the church have a bloodline that is to be protected? Or a law holding us to a covenant with God? Are we under the Law and subject to God's wrath when we sin? What New Testament passages speak to mixed marriages?