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Living Way BiBLe Study

Study: EzraAuthor: Erwin Kur th

LessonCount: 6

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E z r aE rw i n K u r t h

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With this four-step method the student has the opportunity to study the particular section of Scripture covered by the lesson from four different approaches. This emphasizes the Bible text and gives the student an understanding and ownership for each section studied.

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LWBS CourSeS

Old TesTamenT sTudies

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Ezra (6) Dr. Erwin Kurth

Nehemiah (10) Dr. Erwin Kurth

Esther (7) Dr. Erwin Kurth

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Messianic & Penitential Psalms (15) Dr. Arnold Kuntz

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Studies listed include the number of lessons (xx) and the author

ThIS PAge IS InTenTIonALLy LeFT bLAnk

A u t h o r I n f o r m A t I o n

I n t r o d u c t I o n L e s s o n 1

e z r A 1 & 2 L e s s o n 2

e z r A 3 & 4 L e s s o n 3

e z r A 5 & 6 L e s s o n 4

e z r A 7 & 8 L e s s o n 5

e z r A 9 & 1 0 L e s s o n 6

ErwinKurth ii

Problem?MixedMarriages– Ezra9:1-4 28

EzraIsDistraught– Ezra9:3-4 29

Ezra’sPrayer–Ezra9:5-15 29

Addendum:God’sLoveandJusticeReconciled 29

TimetoAct–Ezra10:1-4 30

ActionIsTaken– Ezra10:5-8 30

PlenaryMeeting– Ezra10:9-11 31

RectifyingMattersRequiresTime– Ezra10:12-17 31

CatalogueofOffenders–Ezra10:18-44 31

TheEndoftheBookofEzra 31

TheCharactersoftheBookofEzra 1

Zerubbabel 1

Ezra 2

Nehemiah 2

BackgroundandHistory 2

SecularandSacredHistoryRunParallel 3

ABitofGeography 3

PersonalApplication–Ezra1&2 4

LookingBackaBit–AssyrianCaptivity 6

BabylonianCaptivity 6

IntheCaptivity 6

TheAscendancyofthePersianEmpire– Ezra1:1-11 7

Zerubbabel,theGovernor,andJeshua,

theHighPriest– Ezra2:1-70 7

Summary 7


BuildingtheAltar– Ezra3:1-6 10

LayingtheFoundationoftheTemple– Ezra3:7-13 11

OppositionBegins,Mounts,Intensifies,andPersists Ezra4:1-5 11

ArtaxerxesIsPetitionedtoHalttheRebuildingoftheCityWalls Ezra4:6-16 11

TheEnemiesAct– Ezra4:23 12

TheAuthorNowReturnstoHisPreviousStory–Ezra4:24 12


TheLetter– Ezra5:6-17 17

InSearchofCyrus’Scroll– Ezra6:1-2 17

DariusIsApprisedoftheContentoftheScroll– Ezra6:3-5 17

DariusAnswersTattenaiDirectlyandForcefully Ezra6:6-10 18

DariusAddsaWarning– Ezra6:11-12 18

Onward!Forward!Excelsior!–Ezra6:13-15 18

DedicationoftheTemple– Ezra6:16-18 18

PassoverIsCelebrated– Ezra6:19-22 19

ALingeringLookbeforeLeave-taking 19


ThreeGroupsofRepatriatedExiles 22

GettingtoKnowEzraBetter– Ezra7:1-11 22

InstructionstoEzra– Ezra7:12-20 23

InstructionstotheSatrapsandDeputyGovernors Ezra7:21-24 24

Ezra’sPersonalResponsetotheCommission Ezra7:27-28 24

KeepingtheRecords– Ezra8:1-23 24

CheckandDouble-Check– Ezra8:24-30 24

JourneyAccomplishedwithThanksgiving–Ezra8:31-36 25


WorkontheTempleIsResumed– Ezra5:1-2 16

GovernorTattenaiMakesInvestigation– Ezra5:3-5 17

E r w i n K u r t h

Ezra 6

ii

LWBSCourses: The Gospel According to Matthew(co-author)

The Gospel According to Mark

The Gospel According to St. Luke(co-author)

The Acts of the Apostles

The Book of Ezra

The Book of Nehemiah

The Book of Esther

The Book of Job

The Book of Proverbs

The Book of Ecclesiastes

The Song of Solomon

GraduatedfromConcordiaSeminary–1922

Sixty-fiveyearsintheministrywiththeLCMS

Areasofparticularinterest:ChristianStewardshipandBiblestudy.ConductedseminarsandworkshopsintheU.S.andCanadaonHowtoRunASuccessfulEvery-memberCanvas

TheKurth-ZehnderPlanisstillavailableinbookform

AttendedBiblicalSeminaryinNewYorkCity,NY

FosteredintensiveBiblestudyandtaughtBiblestudyclasseswhereverheservedasPastor.TheseincludeLCMSchurchesinMontana,Nebraska,Minnesota,Brooklyn,NY,FortWayne,IN,Detroit,MIandCalifornia.

ConferredtheDoctorofDivinityDegreefromConcordiaSeminary–1960

GuestspeakerontheInternationalLutheranHour

Servedaspart-timeBibleInstructoratChristCollegeIrvine,inIrvine,CA

AuthorofCatecheticalHelps(ConcordiaPublishingHouse)

Hislifecompanion,EstherPfotenhauerKurth,hassupportedhisministrytypingmuchofhislonghandscript

Ourbelovedauthor,Dr.Kurth,wascalledhometobewiththeLordonOctober22,1989attheageof91years.

author informationEr w in Kur th

1

Ezra Lesson 1I n t r o d u c t I o n

EZRA 2

NEHEMIAH 2

BACKGROUNDANDHISTORY 2

SECULARANDSACREDHISTORYRUNPARALLEL 3

ABIT OFGEOGRAPHY 3

PERSONALAPPLICATION– EZRA1 & 2 4

The CharaCTers of The Book of ezraCyrus:ConqueroroftheBabylonianandMedianEmpires,founderandfirstkingofthePersianEmpire;issuedaproclamationthatallcaptivesoftheformerBabylonianEmpirecouldreturntotheirrespectivehomelands,iftheydesired.TheywouldstillbesubjectsofthevastPersianEmpire.

Zerubbabel:LeaderofthefirstJewishexpeditionoutoftheBabylonianCaptivity;builderofthetemple;later,governorofJudea.ZerubbabelandJeshualedthefirstcontingentnumberingabout50,000backtoJerusalem.

HaggaiandZechariah:Prophets;membersofthefirstexpedition.Encouragedthepeopletofinishthetempleandalsotoreformtheirlives.

Ezra:Leaderofthesecondexpedition57yearslater.Scribe,priest,teacher,reformer—particularlyagainstmixedmarriages.

Nehemiah:Leaderofthethirdexpedition12yearslater.Adedicatedlayman.Possessedageniusforconstructionwork.Organizedtherebuildingofthecitywalls.HelpedEzrainelevatingthemoraltoneofthatday.

Malachi:AprophetorpreacherwhoaidedandassistedNehemiah.

zeruBBaBelInthethirdandfinalinvasionofJudeain587B.C.,theBabyloniansunderKingNebuchadnezzarmadevassalsofthetwosoutherntribesofJudahandBenjamin,anddeportedthebrightestandbestinhabitantsintothe“BabylonianCaptivity”toservethereassecretaries,clerks,assistants,subordinatesandlaborers.

Ezra

Zerubbabel ordered that work on the new temple be started on the same site where once stood the temple of Solomon.

Aman-childwasborninBabylonwhomhisparentspromptlycalledZerubbabel,i.e.,“seedofBabylon.”ThenameofZerubbabelappearsintheMessianicgenealogyofJesus(Matthew1:12).

In539B.C.,thePersiansvanquishedtheBabylonians.ThefounderofthePersianEmpire,Cyrusbyname,wasafair-mindedking.Unwittingly,too,hewasactingunderprovidentialguidance(Ezra1:1;Jeremiah29:10-14).Hedecreedthatallwarcaptivesbepermittedtoreturntotheirrespectivehomelands.Fiftythousand(50,000)Jews(Ezra2:64-65)ralliedaroundZerubbabeland,takingwiththemthesacredvesselswhichNebuchadnezzarhadcartedawayaswarbootyin587B.C.,madethetrektotheprovincesofJudahandBenjamin.Thisfactisrecordedinthelastverseof2Chronicles(36:23)andEzra(1:1-2),showingthecontinuityofthenarrative.

Asanaside,beitnotedthat,whilethelateShahofIranwasstillinpower,the2,500thanniversaryofthebirthofthePersiannation,foundedbyCyrus,wascelebrated.TheIraniansarePersians.

WhentherefugeesarrivedinJudeaandsettleddown,ZerubbabelorderedthatworkonthenewtemplebestartedonthesamesitewhereoncestoodthetempleofSolomon.

Despitetheirfearofthepeoplesaroundthem,theHebrewsbuiltanaltar,sacrificedburntofferingsmorningandevening,andcelebratedtheFeastofTabernacles.Theyencounteredmanydifficultiesbut,finally,whatisgenerallyreferredtoas“Zerubbabel’sTemple”wascompletedanddedicatedin515B.C.,fifteenyearsafterthefoundationwaslaid.HelpwasforthcomingfromDarius,thirdkingofPersia.EncouragementsandexhortationsweregivenbytheprophetsHaggaiandZechariah(Ezra5:1).

TheeventsconnectedwithZerubbabelarerecordedinchapter1-6ofthebookofEzra.

ezraTherewasnoonetoassumeleadershipafterZerubbabel,thegovernor,andJeshua,thepriest,died.Asaresult,asocial,moral,andreligiousdeclinesetin.

Fifty-sevenyearsafterthededicationofZerubbabel’sTemple,acertainpriestandscribeinBabylonnamedEzra,exceedinglylearnedandpious,wasmovedtodowhathecouldtore-introduceamonghisbrethreninJudeaconformitytoGod’slawasrecordedbyMoses.HeobtainedpermissionfromKingArtaxerxestoleadanexpeditiontotheprovincesofJudahandBenjamin(Ezra7-8).Heinauguratedreforms,particularlyintheareaofmixedmarriages.

NehemiahTwelveyearslaterNehemiahledathirdexpeditiontoJerusalem.Hewasthecupbearerorwine-stewardofArtaxerxes.Helearnedfrom“oneofmybrothers”thatthingswerenotgoingwellwiththebrethreninJudea.

NehemiahprayedaboutitandobtainedpermissionfromthekingtovisitJudeainhopeofrectifyingmatters,particularly,inprovidingbetterprotectionfortheresidentsofJerusalembyrepairingthecitywalls.Heapportionedtheworkloadtovariousgroupsandactuallysucceededinrestoringthewallswithin52days.HealsoparticipatedwithEzrainfosteringaspiritualrevival.

BaCkgrouNd aNd hisToryThetennortherntribesofIsraelweretakenawayintotheAssyrianCaptivityin722B.C.

ThedeportationofthetwosoutherntribesofJudahandBenjaminwasdoneinthreestages.Thefirstoccurredin606

I n t r o d u c t I o n

Lw b s2

11

B.C.(2Chronicles36:2-7;Daniel1:1-3);thesecond,inthereignofJehoiakim(597B.C.);andthethird,underNebuchadnezzar,tenyearslater,in587B.C.,(2Kings24:10-16).

Theedictofliberationwasissuedin536B.C.,70yearsafterthefirstHebrewcaptiveshadbeenbroughttoBabyloniain606B.C.BothJeremiahandIsaiahhadpredictedthereleasefromcaptivityafterseventyyears(Jeremiah29:10-14;Isaiah44:28-45:1-4,13).

seCular aNd saCred hisTory ruN ParallelPersianKingsmentionedinScriptures: LeadersofIsrael:

Cyrus,539(550)-530B.C. Sheshbazzar,Zerubbabel,andJeshua

Cambyses,530-522B.C Ezrathepriest,Nehemiahthelayman

Darius,522-486B.C. Haggai,Zechariah,andMalachi-prophets

Xerxes,(Ahasuerus),486-464 Esther,QueenofXerxes,recordedintheBookofEsther

Artaxerxes,464-424

a BiT of geograPhyMesopotamia(orBabylonia)means“betweenrivers,”theEuphratesandTigris,partofmodernIraq.ThebiblicalnamefortheupperplainisShinar,wheretheTowerofBabelwaserected(Genesis11:1-9).Babylonistowardsthelowerportion.

ThelowerportionwasoriginallycalledChaldea.“UroftheChaldees,”150milesnorthwestofthePersianGulf,wasthecityfromwhichAbrahamwascalledtogotoHaran(Charran)andthenintothePromisedLand(Genesis11:28,31;Acts7:1-4).

(DifferentfromDariustheMede)

I n t r o d u c t I o n

E r w i n K u r t h 3

1

PersoNal aPPliCaTioN – ezra 1 & 2

O Holy Spirit, enlighten me with Your gifts as I proceed to study the book of Ezra. Guide my understanding and strengthen my faith. Amen.

Ezra1:1-111. Inexaminingthelasttwoversesof2Chronicles(36:22-23)andcomparingthesewiththeopeningversesofEzra

(1:1-3),whatstrikesyouasunusual?

2. Sinceothersimilarcharacteristicsarefoundinthesebooks,whatdeductionsdoyouthinkcouldbemade?

3. WhobecamethefounderandfirstkingofthePersianEmpirein538B.C.?

4. Thoughhepossessedanativeabilitytogovernakingdomofmultiracialpeople,underwhoseguidancewasCyrusreallyoperating?(Ezra1:1;Jeremiah29:10)

5. YearsandyearsbeforeCyruswasborn,whatprophecydidIsaiahmakeconcerninghim?(Isaiah44:28,45:1-4,13)

6. HowdidCyrusfulfillthatprophecyintheveryfirstyearofhisreign?

7. Cyrushadregardforthecustoms,rites,andreligiouspersuasionsoftheconglomerategroupsinhisvastdomain.Whywouldthisspiritoftoleranceservetokeephisempirerelativelycalmandcooperative?

8. WhatspecificfavorsdidheaccordtheHebrewcaptives?

9. HowdidthefamilyheadsofJudahandBenjaminandothersreacttoCyrus’proclamation?

10. Howdidtheneighborsandfriendsassistingettingtheemigrantsofftoagoodstart?

11. WhatadditionaltreasureditemsdidCyrusoffertosendwiththereleasedcaptivestoJerusalem?

e z r A 1 & 2

Lw b s4

1 e z r A 1 & 2

12.Thelargerandmorepreciousvesselsaddedupto2,499.Withthesmallerandlessexpensivearticlescountedin,howmanypieceswereregisteredintheinventory?

Ezra2:1-6313.Listasmanygroupsofreturningexilesasyoucanfindinverses1-58.

14.Whywouldyounotliketohavebeenaffiliatedwiththosementionedinverses59-63?

Ezra2:64-7015. GivethetotalnumberinthecongregationthatarrivedinJerusalem.

Inaddition,therewerehowmanyservants?

Andhowmanychoirmembers?

16. Burden-bearinganimalsweretakenalong.Whichwerethey?

17. WhentheprocessionarrivedsafelyatthehouseoftheLordinJerusalem,thepeopleexpressedtheirgratitudebygivinggiftsforthehouseoftheLordtobebuilt.Explainwho,what,andhowthesegiftsweregiven.

18. FormulatesomeguidelinesforstewardshipthatweareabletoderivefromtheseHebrewpeople.

19. ItwasnotinJerusalemthatthepeopleprincipallysettled.Wheredidmostofthemsettledown?

e z r A 1 & 2


1

6

Ezrae z r A 1 & 2LEsson 2

THEASCENDANCYOFTHEPERSIANEMPIRE

EZRA1 :1 -11 7

ZERUBBABEL, THEGOvERNOR, ANDJESHUA, THEHIGH

PRIEST– EZRA2 :1 -70 7

SUMMARY 7


lookiNg BaCk a BiT – assyriaN CaPTiviTyThetennortherntribesofIsraelwerecarriedawayintotheAssyrianCaptivityin722B.C.(2Kings17:5-6).Theretheycommingledwiththeotherracesandeventually,throughintermarriages,losttheirnationalidentities.TheyareoftenreferredtoastheTenLostTribesofIsrael.

BaByloNiaN CaPTiviTyNebuchadnezzar,kingofBabylon,subduedthetwosoutherntribesofJudahandBenjamininthreesuccessivestages,from606-587B.C.HecapturedJehoiachin,kingofJudah,cartedawaythesacredvesselsfromthetempleofGod,andtookwithhimmembersofthe“royalfamilyandthenobility-youngmenwithoutanyphysicaldefect,handsome,showingaptitudeforeverykindoflearning[particularly,anewlanguage],wellinformed,quicktounderstand,andqualifiedtoserveintheking’spalace”(Daniel1:1-4a,NIv).Amongthosetakenaway,asweremember,wereDaniel,Shadrach,MeshachandAbednego(of“fieryfurnace”fame)(Daniel1:7).In586B.C.,whenJerusalemwasdestroyed,thousandsmoreweredeported(2Kings25).

iN The CaPTiviTySomeoftheexilesweptsorewhentheyrememberedZion(seePsalm137).Theyfoundthecaptivityrepugnantandhumiliating.Othersacceptedwhattheycouldnotchange.Theymadethebestofabadsituation.Byandby,theygrewrathercontentwiththeirlotand,whengiventheopportunitytoemigrate,theychosetostay.Thesewerethe

“The first two chapters of Ezra tell of the help Cyrus accorded those members of God’s chosen people who chose to return to the Land of Promise.”

ones,scatteredthroughouttheprovincesofthePersianEmpire,whomHaman,thevillaininthebookofEsther,soughttoexterminate.

Longbeforeithappened,Jeremiah(29:10-14)foretoldthereleasefrombondage(Ezra1:1-3).SodidIsaiah(44:28-45:1-4,13).

The asCeNdaNCy of The PersiaN emPire Ezra 1:1-11WhentheBabylonianEmpire,atthetimeofNebuchadnezzar’ssuccessorBelshazzar(Daniel5),hadbeengivenitsdeathblowbytheMedesandPersians,andwhenCyrushadgainedtheascendancyoverhisformerallies,theMedes,anewdaydawnedforthecaptivesoftheBabylonianCaptivity.

TheLordstirredupthespiritofthenewmonarch,Cyrus,kingofPersia,toissueanEmancipationProclamation,declaringthatallcaptives,whoeversodesired,couldreturntotheirrespectivehomelands,536B.C.

Hemanifestedparticularinterestin“theGodofheaven”throughwhosemunificence,hebelievedhehadbecomerulerofallthekingdomsoftheearth.HefeltunderobligationtogivespecialhonortothisGodratherthanapluralityofgods,byencouragingtheHebrewsto“gouptoJerusalem”(Ezra1:2-3,NIv).

Moreover,hemadeitknownthatheexpected“survivors,”i.e.,Hebrewsinotherpartsofhisrealm,whochosenottogotoJerusalem,tomake“freewillofferings”intheformofsilverandgold,articles,supplies,andgoods;livestocklike“horses,mules,camels,anddonkeys”(2:66-67).

ThefamilyheadsofJudahandBenjamin,andthepriestsandLevites,aswellasotherswhoseheartGodhadmoved,feltgreatlyencouragedbythegeneralandgenerousresponseandpreparedtogoupandbuildthehouseoftheLordinJerusalem.TheymusthavegoneintoecstasywhentheylearnedthatCyruspurposedtoreturn

tothemthebootywhichNebuchadnezzarhadtakenfromthetemple.ThelargerandmorepreciousarticlesarelistedintheinventorymadebySheshbazzar(1:9-11).

zeruBBaBel, The goverNor, aNd Jeshua, The high PriesT Ezra 2:1-70UndertheleadershipofZerubbabelandJeshua,50,000peopleplus8,136burden-bearinganimalsmadethe700-miletrektothehomelandinfourmonths’time.ArrivingatJerusalem,theheadsofsomeofthefamiliesexpressedtheirgratitudeinaconcretefashionbymakingfreewillofferingstowardtherebuildingofthehouseofGodonthesamesitewhereoncestoodtheTempleofSolomon.

Afterthat,thepeopledispersedintothecountryside.Theydomiciledinvillagestobeclosetooneanotherforprotectionandsupport.Theyknewaboutthesesettlementsfromwhattheirancestorshadtoldthemandconsideredthem“theirtowns”(2:64-70).Craftsmen,tradesfolk,stonemasons,andprofessionalpeoplenodoubtsettledinJerusalemwherealotofconstructionworkwasabouttobegin.

summaryThefirsttwochaptersofEzratellofthehelpCyrusaccordedthosemembersofGod’schosenpeoplewhochosetoreturntotheLandofPromise(chapter1).Inchapter2,alistofthemainpersonsofeachclanorgroupisgivenplustheaccoutermentsfortheirjourneyandforthebeautifyingofthenewtemple,whicheventuallybecameknowninsacredhistoryasZerubbabel’sTemple.

Nowre-readthefirsttwochaptersofEzraandseehoweasy,delightful,andprofitableitistoreadtheWordofGod.Choosewhichevertranslationyouprefer.Onourpart,weshallusethegrowingfavoriteamongmodernBibletranslations:TheNewInternationalversion,theNIv,whichisnowalsopartoftheannotatedConcordiaSelf-StudyBible.

e z r A 1 & 2


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O Lord Jesus, it is a comfort for me to know that the saints, throughout the history of the church, have been perplexed by the self-same problems I have. Enable me to accept what I cannot change

and give me strength to carry on triumphantly in spite of difficulties and testings. Amen.

Ezra3:1-5

1. TheJewsweregiventhreemonthstosettledownintheirtowns;thentheyweresummonedtocomeenmassetoJerusalem.Forwhatpurpose?

2. Whowerethetwoprincipalleadersdirectingandsupervisingtheenterprise?

3. Howwasthestructureputintodailyuse,bothmorningsandevenings?

4. Whichfestivaldidthereturneescelebrateincommemorationoftheirancestors’dwellinginboothsfor40yearsinthewildernessandinmemoryoftheirownhardlifeintheBabyloniancaptivityfor70years?

5. Inadditiontothedailyofferings,whatotherofferingsarementionedinverse5?

6. HowdoweknowthatthisOldTestamentcelebrationneednolongerbeobservedintheNewTestament?(Colossians2:16-17)

Ezra3:6-137. Thebuildingexpertswerethrilledattheprospectoffirstlayingthefoundationandthenbuildingthetempleitself.

Whomdidtheyhiretodopreparatorywork,i.e.,tofloatpineandcedarlogsonraftsbyseafromLebanontotheportofJoppa,tocutandtrimstonessothattheyfittedperfectlytogether,andtofashionbeams,panels,andotherwoodwork?

8. Whichtwoeminentmenhadmadesimilararrangements,afewcenturiesback,fortheconstructionofthefirstTemple?(1Kings5:6-12)

9. Whowerethementhatdirected,supervised,andinspiredtheworkers?

10. Describethepreparationandcelebrationofthededicationceremony.

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2 e z r A 3 & 4

11. Howdidtheoldstersatthecelebrationreactwhentheygazedatthefoundationofthetemple?

12. Thenoiseofcelebrationwasheardafaroff.Howwasitdescribed?

Ezra4:1-513. SomeofthepeoplelivinginSamariawereworshippersofmorethanonegod.TheywishedtoaddJehovahtotheir

pantheon.WhatrequestdidtheymakeofZerubbabel,Jeshua,andtheheadsofthefamiliesofIsrael?

14. Whatanswerwasgiventhem?

Howdoyouthinkyourcongregationwouldanswertoday?

15. Howdidthe“enemiesofJudahandBenjamin”(4:1),reacttotherebufftheyreceived?

16. Whomdidtheyhiretoputlegalobstaclesinthewayofthebuilders?

Ezra4:6-2417. TheharassmentoftheIsraelitescontinuedevenafterthecompletionofthetemplein515B.C.Aprotestwaslodged

withXerxes,successortoDarius,againstthepeopleofJudahandBenjamin(4:6).Theprotestproducednodefiniteresults.Thistime,theenemieswerebentonpreventingtheIsraelitesfromrebuildingthecitywalls.TheysenttoArtaxerxes,successortoXerxes,acopyoftheprotestpreviouslydelivered(4:7).Whatcogentreasonsweregivenintheletterwhyworkonreconstructingthecitywallsshouldbestopped?

18. WhatreplydidArtaxerxesmakeandwhatimmediateactionwastaken?

19. DiscussatimewhenyoureffortsfortheLordhavebeenfrustrated.

20. Theforegoing,from4:6-23,wasaninterludeonthepartoftheinspiredwriter.Nowhereturns,in4:24,tohispreviousnarrativeandstatesthatworkonthetempleceaseduntilthesecondyearofthereignofwhichkingofPersia.

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LAYINGTHEFOUNDATIONOFTHETEMPLE

EZRA3 :7 -13 11

OPPOSITIONBEGINS, MOUNTS, INTENSIFIES,

ANDPERSISTS– EZRA4 :1 -5 11

ARTAXERXES IS PETIT IONEDTOHALTTHE

REBUILDINGOFTHECITYWALLS– EZRA4 :6 -16 11

THEENEMIESACT– EZRA4 :23 12

THEAUTHORNOWRETURNSTOHISPREvIOUSSTORY

EZRA4 :24 12


BuildiNg The alTar Ezra 3:1-6ThreemonthsaftertheJewsarrivedinJudeaandhadsettledintheirtowns,thecallwentoutforthemtoassembleinJerusalem.Thematterneedingattentionwasspiritualinnature.Therefore,Jeshuathepriestismentionedfirst,aheadofthecivilleader,Zerubbabel(3:2).

Theimmediateneedwastheerectionofthealtarofburntofferingsonwhichsacrificeswouldbemadeonmanyoccasions,formanypurposes.Regularly,alambwassacrificedeachmorningat9:00a.m.andeacheveningat3:00p.m.,andtwicethatnumberontheSabbathday.Occasionally,sacrificialofferingsweremadeatthetimeofthenewmoonandonthethreemajorfestivalsofPassover,Pentecost,andTabernacles.Inaddition,therewereotherpublicandprivateofferings.

Thealtarwas,sotosay,themeetingplacebetweenGodandman,wherethetwoweremadeat-one(at-one-ment)throughthesacrifice,symbolicandanticipatoryofthesacrificeoftheLambofGodonthealtarofthecross.

“ThenewimmigrantswantedthealtarbuiltinordertohaveaplacewheretheymightgathertoimploreGod’shelpagainstthepeopleofthelandroundaboutthem.”Roehrs.

Thealtarwasmassiveinsize,witharampleadinguptoit.Alongsideitwasthelaverorhugewashbowlcalledthe“sea.”Drainagewassuppliedtocarryawaythebloodywater,refuse,andwaste;itemptiedintothebrookKidron.

“And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. ”

layiNg The fouNdaTioN of The TemPle Ezra 3:7-13Thenextprojectwasthebuildingofthetemple.Enthusiasmranhigh.Thefreewillofferingskeptcomingin.Moreover,Cyrushaddecreedthatthecostsofthetempleweretobepaidfromtheroyaltreasury(6:4b).So,whynotplanaheadandhavecedarandpinelogsfloatedinonraftsfromLebanontotheportofJoppa,asSolomonhaddoneinthedaysofHiram(lKings5:2-12).MasonsandcarpenterswereengagedtocometoJerusalemandtodoalotofpreparatorywork(3:7).

Littledidtheplannerssuspectitwouldtakeyearsbeforethetemplereachedcompletion.Asofnow,however,Zerubbabelwentaheadwithhavingthefoundationlaid.Heenjoyedwillingcooperationonthepartofhis“goodmanFriday,”Jeshuathehighpriest,andoftheheadofallLeviteswhoalsoborethenameJeshua(3:9),plusfriendsandallwhohadreturnedfromthecaptivity.

Whatadayofjubilationitwaswhenthefoundationofthetemplewasinplace.Thepriestsweredeckedoutintheirvestmentswiththeirtrumpetsattheready;theLeviteswerepreparedtostriketheircymbalsorpercussioninstruments;theantiphonalchoirstookalongdeepbreath;andthecelebrationgotunderway.Thethemewas:“He[God]isgood;HislovetowardIsraelenduresforever.”

AndallthepeoplegaveagreatshoutofpraisetotheLord,becausethefoundationofthehouseoftheLordwaslaid.

However,emotionsweremixed.Manyoftheoldsterswhohadseentheformertempleweptinbitterdisappointment.Afoundation,naturally,isnotasimpressiveasthesuperstructure.Otherscouldnotcontainthemselvesforjoy.Ifsomeonefarawayheardtheoutcry,hecouldnottellwhetherthesoundoftheshoutswasoneofjoyorofdistress.Theonlywayhecoulddescribeittootherswasintermsof“somuchnoise.”

oPPosiTioN BegiNs, mouNTs, iNTeNsifies, aNd PersisTs Ezra 4:1-5NowthatthefoundationofthetemplehadbeenlaidandtheconstructionoftheSanctuaryitselfwasabouttobegin,oppositionrosetowardtherepatriatedexiles.Theenemies

ofJudahandBenjamin,i.e.,thepeopleofSamaria,soughttowiggletheirwayintothetempleenterprise.Theirmainbackgroundwasoneofidolatrousbeliefsandpractices.TheywishedtoaddJehovahtotheirpantheon.However,itwouldnotdoforthepeopleofthesovereignLordtoconsortwiththeminmattersspiritual.Iftheydid,theywouldincur,astheyknewfrompastexperiencesoftheirrace,thedisfavorandwrathoftheoneandonlytrueGod.

Therefore,whentheenemiessuggestedtheybecomepartnersinthereligiousundertaking,theyweregivenaresoundingNO.“YouhavenopartwithusinbuildingatempletoourGod.WealonewillbuilditfortheLord,theGodofIsrael,asKingCyrus,thekingofPersia,commandedus”(4:3NIv).

TherebuffbytheleadersofIsraelexasperatedtheenemies.Theycounterattacked.TheysetouttodiscouragethepeopleofJudahandmakethemafraidtogoonbuilding.Theydidmore.TheyhiredlawyerstoappearatthePersiancourttodelaybuildingoperations.Sureenough,thestrategyworked.ThroughtheentirereignofCyrusanddowntothereignofDarius(15yearslater),nobuildingpermitwasgranted.Thus,didthepeopleofthelandandthelawyerssucceedindelayingthebuildingprogram.

Thatoppositionwouldpersistformorethanonehundredyears,withabriefintervalduringthereignofDariuswhotemporarilysquelchedtheobstructiontechniquesinnouncertainterms(6:11-12),andinwhosereignthetemplewascompleted,in515B.C.

Butforthetimebeing,workonthetemplecametoahalt.Thefourthchapterconcludeswiththestatement:“ThustheworkonthehouseofGodinJerusalemcametoastandstilluntilthesecondyearofthereignofDariusKingofPersia.”(4:24,NIv).

arTaxerxes is PeTiTioNed To halT The reBuildiNg of The CiTy Walls Ezra 4:6-16Note:Remember,whatishererecordedtookplace70yearsafterthecompletionofthetemple.

Theauthorleapsforwardinpointoftime(4:6),andthen

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returnstocontinuethenarrativeofthebuildingofthetemple(4:24).TheleapinthenarrativeisfromCyrustoXerxes,especiallytoArtaxerxes(4:6-23),afterwhichthewriterreturnstoDarius(4:24).

ThewriterhadjustfinisheddescribinghowtheIsraeliteswereheckled,putinalarm,andpreventedfrombuildingthesuperstructureofthetempleafterthefoundationhadalreadybeenlaid(4:4-5).Then,apparently,hecalledtomindthatthesamepatternofresistanceappearedyearslater,longafterthecompletionofthetemple,whentheJewswereengagedunderNehemiahinreconstructingthecitywalls.

Inasmuchashehadnowreferredtothatfactandhadtherebyarousedthereader’scuriosity,hemusthavedeemeditonlyfairthatheexpoundsomewhatontheoneincident:theinteractionoftheadversariesoftheJewsandArtaxerxes(notXerxeshispredecessor).Notmuchcameofthatintercommunication.OneversesufficestostatethatXerxeshadbeencontacted(4:6).

TheenemiessoughttopersuadeArtaxerxestotakedefinitiveactionagainstJerusalem,otherwise,thatrebelliousandwickedcitywouldsecedefromtheempire,influencecontiguousnationstodolikewise,andtheflowofrevenuesintotheroyalcofferswouldbegreatlydiminished.Whatbetterinducementforthekingtoactpromptlycouldbeoffered?

AcommitteewasformedwithRehumservingaschairmanandShimshaiassecretary(4:8-10).TheywrotetoArtaxerxes,callingattentiontoapreviouspetitionwhichhadbeensubmittedtohisRoyalHighness,butthatletterhadnotbeenanswered.TheletterwaswritteninAramaicscript(letters)andintheAramaiclanguage,commonlyusedininternationaldiplomacyofthatday.

Rehumandhisassociateswantedthemonarchtoknowthattheyfullyagreedwiththethoughtandsentimentsexpressedinthepreviousdocumentandthattheywereherewithsubmittingacopyofthatletter(4:2-11a).

Note:Theletterisself-explanatoryandneedsnoadditionalcomments.Readitforyourselfin4:11-16.Thekingsentthefollowingreply.Readthisin4:17-22.

The eNemies aCT Ezra 4:23ChairmanRehumandSecretaryShimshai“wentimmediatelytotheJewsinJerusalemandcompelledthembyforcetostop”buildingthecitywalls.

The auThor NoW reTurNs To his Previous sTory – ezra 4:24NowthattheinspiredwriterhasfinishedwithhisexampleofcontinuingstubbornoppositiontoGod’speople,evenasfardownas70yearsafterthecompletionofthetemple,heturnsbacktotellhowoppositiontothebuildingofthetemplewasovercomeinthedaysofDarius,thirdkingofthePersianempire(4:24).

Note:Ifallthissoundsbaffling,itis,forOldTestamenthistory,matchedwithsecularhistory,isnoteasytodiscern.Buttakeheart.Possessyoursoulinpatience.Matterswillbeclearedupinthesweetbyandby,whenwegetdowntoconsiderationofdetailedincidents.

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Blessed Lord, who has caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may hear them, read, mark, learn, and ever hold fast the blessed

hope of everlasting life given us in our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Ezra5:1-51. WhoweretheprophetsactiveinthedaysofZerubbabel?

2. InwhatactivitydidtheleadersZerubbabelandJeshuaengageinspiteofharassmentfromthepeopleoftheland?

3. Evidently,theenemiesofJudahregisteredacomplaintwiththegovernororsatrapoftheTrans-EuphratesareawhichincludedPalestine.WhydidtheythinkTattenaiandhislegaladvisorsmightbeabletostopthebuildingoperationsonthesitewhereoncestoodthetempleofSolomon?

4. WhywouldTattenai’sinvestigatingcommitteeaskforthenamesofthebuildingcommittee?

Ezra5:6-175. WhatinformationdidTattenaiconsecutivelybringtotheattentionofDariusinhisletter? 5:8

5:9-10

5:12

5:13

5:14-15

6. Whowastheco-leaderwithZerubbabelandJeshuaingoverningthepeople,layingthefoundationofthetempleand,particularly,inkeepingwatchoverthesacredtempletreasures?(1:8,5:14b,16)

7. WhatprimerequestdidTattenaimakeofDarius?

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3e z r A 5 & 6

Ezra6:1-128. WhatwasDarius’responsetotherequestofTattenai?

9. Statetheinformationfoundintherecords.

10. Howwerethebuildingcoststobemet?

11. WhatinstructionsdidKingCyrus(6:2b-5)giveconcerningthegoldandsilverarticleswhichNebuchadnezzarhadtakenawayasbootyfromthetempleinJerusalem?

12. GivethedirectivesKingDariusgaveTattenaiinthematterofdealingwiththebuildersofthetempleandmeetingbuildingcosts.

13. WhatrequestsdidDariusmakeinreturnforhisfavorabledecisions?(6:10b)

14. Howwerethetransgressorsofhismandatetobepunished?

Ezra6:13-1815. HowdidtheedictofDariusaffect Tattenai?

TheeldersoftheJews?

Theworkmen?

16. Wholentspiritualencouragementtotheleadersandworkers?

17. Onwhatoccasionweretheheartsofthepriests,Levites,andtherestoftheexilesfilledwithexceedingjoy?

18. Thefatofeachanimalwascompletelyburnedandthebloodfullyspilled.Comparethenumberofsacrificesoffered.(6:17)

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Solomon’stemple(1Kings8:5)

Ezra6:19-2219. WhatspecialsignificancedidthereturnedexilesattachtotheirkeepingofthePassover?

20. WhichChristianfestival,celebratedbyourchurches,doyoupersonallyfindthemostjoyfulandwhy?

ShareafamilytraditionyouenjoyincelebratinganyoftheChristianfestivals.

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16


GOvERNORTATTENAI MAKES INvESTIGATION

EZRA5 :3 -5 17

THELETTER– EZRA5 :6 -17 17

INSEARCHOFCYRUS’ SCROLL– EZRA6 :1 -2 17

DARIUS IS APPRISEDOFTHECONTENT

OFTHESCROLL– EZRA6 :3 -5 17

DARIUSANSWERSTATTENAI DIRECTLY

ANDFORCEFULLY– EZRA6 :6 -10 18

DARIUSADDSAWARNING– EZRA6 :11-12 18

ONWARD! FORWARD! EXCELSIOR! – EZRA6 :13-15 18

DEDICATIONOFTHETEMPLE– EZRA6 :16-18 18

PASSOvER IS CELEBRATED– EZRA6 :19-22 19

AL INGERINGLOOKBEFORELEAvE-TAKING 19


Work oN The TemPle is resumed Ezra 5:1-2Thelastverseofthepreviouschapterstates:“ThustheworkonthehouseofGodinJerusalemcametoastandstilluntilthesecondyearofthereignofDariuskingofPersia”(4:24).

Yearshadelapsedsincethefoundationofthetemplewaslaid.Allthroughthoseyearsnoprogresswasmade.TheenemiesofIsraelhadsucceededinblockingthebuildingprogram.

NotallthepeopleofJudahwerediscouragedtothepointofindifferenceandlethargy,butmanywere.However,achangeforthebetterseemedinprospectwhenanewemperor,Darius,mountedthethrone.

Theprophets,HaggaiandZechariah,becameactive(5:1).TheytransmitteddirectivesfromGod,firsttoZerubbabelthegovernorandJeshuathehighpriest,andthentothewholepopulace.Haggaimadetheinitialpronouncements.Twomonthslater,Zechariahjoinedhim.

“Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong” (Zechariah 8:9-13)

Haggaisaidineffect:Thetimehascometobuildthetemple.Yourresponse,however,iscontrariwise.YouinsistthetimehasnotyetcomefortheLord’shousetobebuilt.Isay,ithas.Youareterrificallyinterestedinbuildinghomesforyourselves,butyoudon’twanttogotothetroubleandexpenseofbuildingahousefortheLord.Thereasonyougiveisthatyouhavehadasuccessionofcropfailures.Doyouknowwhyyou’vehadnobumpercrops?TheLordoffersthistellingreason:Becauseofmyhouse,whichremainsinruins,whileeachofyouisbusywithhisownhouse(Haggai1:2-11,NIv).

ZechariahjoinedhisvoicewiththatofHaggai.ThoughZechariahhadmuchtorevealtohiscontemporariesandtoposteritythrougheightvisionsandintenMessianicprophecies,heembracedtheopportunitytoencouragethepeopletobestrongsothatthetemplemaybebuilt.Zechariahsaid:“ThisiswhattheLordAlmightysays:YouwhonowhearthesewordsspokenbytheprophetswhoweretherewhenthefoundationwaslaidforthehouseoftheLordAlmighty,letyourhandsbestrongsothatthetemplemaybebuilt…Donotbeafraid,butletyourhandsbestrong”(Zechariah8:9-13,NIv).ThenZerubbabelandJeshuasettoworkrebuildingthetemple.AndHaggaiandZechariahwerewiththem,helpingthem(5:2).

goverNor TaTTeNai makes iNvesTigaTioN Ezra 5:3-5Theadversaries,manifestly,wereagainstirredintoactionanddecidedtogetajudgmentfromthesatraporgovernoroftheTrans-Euphratesprovince,consistingofSyria,Palestine,Phoenicia(Lebanon),andCyprus.Atthattime,Tattenaiwasthesatrap.HeandhislegaladvisorswenttoJerusalemandinquiredofthebuildingcommittee,Whoauthorizedyoutorebuildthistempleandrestorethestructure?And,“Whatarethenamesofthemenconstructingthisbuilding?”

Theyanswered—aswecangatherfromtheletterTattenaisenttoDarius—Inthefirstyearofhisreign,KingCyrusissuedadecreetorebuildthishouse.Notonlythat,but“heevenremovedfromthetempleofBabylonthegoldandsilverarticlesofthehouseofGod,whichNebuchadnezzarhadtakenfromthetempleinJerusalem,”

(5:13-14).Comeandseeforyourself.We’llshowyouthearticlesofgoldandsilver.

Tattenaiwashalf-convinced.Ofonethinghewassure:hemustbyallmeansavoidactingcontrarytoanyimperialedictissuedpreviously.Yes,hewouldwritetoKingDariusandrequestthatasearchbemadeforthedecreeofCyrus.No,thebuildersneednotstoptheiroperationbutcouldcontinueuntilananswerarrivedfromDarius.

The leTTer Ezra 5:6-17Theletterissetforthin5:7-17.Itisself-explanatory.Pleasereadit.TheonlyperplexingthingaboutitisthereferencetoSheshbazzarin5:14b.Noconsensushasbeenreachedbyscholarsastowhohereallywas.Atanyrate,hewasactive,alongsideZerubbabelandJeshua,intheexodus,incataloguingthegoldandsilverarticles(1:8),ingoverningthepeopleandinthelayingofthefoundationofthetemple(5:14).

iN searCh of Cyrus’ sCroll Ezra 6:1-2KingDariustookactionwhentheletterfromTattenaireachedhim.HeorderedasearchmadeinthearchivesatBabylon.Theresult?Nothing.Awasteoftimeandenergy.

Then,perhaps,someonegotthebrightideathatthescrollofCyrusmightbeinEcbatana,“capitalofMediaandsummerresidentofPersiankings,almost300milesnortheastofBabylon.Cyrusisknowntohavespentsometimethereduringthefirstyearofhisreign”(Roehrs).Andremember,itwasinthefirstyearofhisreign,(1:1),thatCyrus,movedbytheLordGodofheaven,proclaimedlibertytotheHebrewcaptivesandwiselyextendedthatsamefactortoallothercaptivesinhisrealm.ThatedictwasproclaimedwhenCyrusresidedatthesummercapital,andthat’swherethescrollwasfound.

darius is aPPrised of The CoNTeNT of The sCroll Ezra 6:3-5TheresearchersgaveDariusaresumeofthecontentofCyrus’decree,towit,thatthetempleinJerusalemwasto

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berebuilt;thatthecostbedefrayedfromtheroyaltreasury;andthatthesacredvesselsbereturnedtotheirplacesinthetempleinJerusalemanddepositedinthehouseofGod.

darius aNsWers TaTTeNai direCTly aNd forCefully Ezra 6:6-10“LettheworkonthishouseofGodalone…”TheirexpensesaretobefullypaidfromtaxesraisedintheTrans-Euphratesareasothattheworkwillnotstop.Whateverelseisneeded,whetherforsacrificialpurposesorthemaintenanceofpriestsandworkers,shallbeprovidedforonadailybasis.AllIaskinreturnisthattheworshippersprayforthe“lifeofthekingandhissons.”

darius adds a WarNiNg Ezra 6:11-12“Ifanyonechangesthisedict,abeamistobepulledfromhishouseandheistobeliftedupandimpaledonit.Andforthiscrimehishouseistobemadeapileofrubble…IDariushavedecreedit.Letitbecarriedoutwithdiligence.”

oNWard! forWard! exCelsior! Ezra 6:13-15Tattenaiandhisassociateswerenotfacinganiffysituation.Theyknewexactlywhatwastobedone.Dowhatthemanonthethronesaid,orelse!Withouthesitation,theycarriedouttheking’sdecree.

Thepeople,ontheirpart,waxedenthusiastic.TheybecameGod-intoxicatedunderthepowerfulpreachingoftheirspiritualleaders,HaggaiandZechariah.Theworkprospered.After15yearsofdelay,theconstructionofthetemplewascompletedin515B.C.ItwaslessgrandiosethanthetempleofSolomon,butitenduredlonger.AsegmentofitwaslaterincorporatedintoHerod’sTemple,andthatsegmentsurvivedthewholesaledestructionofJerusalembytheRomansin70A.D.,andisnowknownastheWesternWallortheWailingWall.

Weread,“TheyfinishedbuildingthetempleaccordingtothecommandoftheGodofIsraelandthedecreesofCyrus,Darius”and,forgoodmeasure,thenameofArtaxerxesisaddedbecauselaterheprovidedregalsupportwhenEzraledthesecondexpeditionbacktoJerusalem(Ezra6:12-20).

dediCaTioN of The TemPle Ezra 6:16-18Jubilate:Thedayofdedicationwasathand.Withheartsfullofgratitude,thepeopleofGodgatheredtoofferthesacrificeofthanksgiving.

ThewaysofGodarenotonlymysteriousattimesbutleisurelyaswell.Heisinnoparticularhurrytocomposeouroftrestlessness.Imagine,forfifteenyearsafterthefoundationwaslaid,theJewshadtowaitforthecompletionofthesuperstructure,thetempleitself.Ineverybody’sbook,that’salongtimeto

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possessone’ssoulinpatience.

TheygavethankstoGodforcomingthroughandfulfillingHispromises.Healoneknowsthewhysandwhereforesofhopesdeferred.Theonlythingwecandoistoacquiesceandsay,“Submissiontothywill,OLord,istheonlypathtoinnertranquility.”

Aninterestingaside:theAramaicwordfor“dedication”is“Hanukkah.”InthesecondcenturyB.C.,Zerubbabel’sTemplewasdefiledbyAntiochusEpiphanesofSyria.TheMaccabees,however,vanquishedhiminbattleandregainedindependenceforIsrael.ThefirstthingtheydidwastopurifythetempleandrededicateittoGodinthebeautyofHisholiness.TheanniversaryofthatdedicationisobservedbyuniversalJewryinthemonthofDecember,andisappropriatelytermedHanukkah(John10:22).

Passover is CeleBraTed Ezra 6:19-22Amonthafterthededicationofthetemple,thepeoplecelebratedthefestivalofPassover,notonlyinmemoryofthereleaseoftheirforebearsfromEgyptianbondagebutalsooftheirownexodusfromtheBabyloniancaptivity.“ForsevendaystheycelebratedwithjoytheFeastofUnleavenedBread,becausetheLordhadfilledthemwithjoybychangingtheattitudeofthekingofAssyria[Darius],sothatheassistedthemintheworkonthehouseofGod,theGodofIsrael.”

Finis.Curtains.TheEnd.

Thisbringstoaclosetheeventsassociatedwith

Zerubbabel.Thereisaninterimperiodof57yearsbetweentheendofchapter6andthebeginningofchapter7ofthebookofEzra.Intheinterval,theeventsrecordedinthebookofEsthertookplace.EstherbecamequeenofthefourthkingofthePersianEmpire,Xerxesor,asheiscalledinHebrew:Ahasuerus.Hereigned486-465B.C.(orthereabouts).

EstherprovidentiallysavedtheJewsfromamassacreandthuskeptalivetheremnantofthetribeofJudahfromwhomtheMessiahwouldderive.

a liNgeriNg look Before leave-TakiNgThefirstfivekingsofthePersianEmpirewere:(1)Cyrus,(2)Cambyses(notmentionedintheBible),(3)Darius,(4)Xerxes(whomadeEstherhisqueen),and(5)Artaxerxes.Totalyearsofreign:115(from539to424B.C.).

DuringthereignofCyrusanddowntothereignofDarius,theenemiesofJudahthwartedplansfortheerectionofthetempleonthefoundationalreadylaid(4:4-5).Infact,asthewriterbringstoremembrance,theycontinuedtheirobstructionistictacticsevenafterthetemplewascompleted,seekingtoprevent,inthisinstance,thereconstructionofthecitywalls.TheinterferenceoccurredduringthereignofXerxesandArtaxerxes,successorstoDarius.Itisrecordedhere,in4:6-23,asanexampleofcontinuingandstubbornoppositiontothepeopleofGod.

Thewriterthenreturnstohisprevioustheme,4:24,andfurnishesdetailsinchapter5and6onhowtheobstaclestothebuildingofthetemplewereovercomeduringthereignofKingDarius.

The first thing they did was to purify the temple and rededicate it to God in the beauty of His holiness.

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I come in reverence before you, Lord Jesus. You are my Redeemer; save me. You are my Mediator; reconcile me. You are my Shepherd; lead me.

Enlighten me by Your Spirit, my Savior and my God. Amen.

Ezra7:1-20

1. Betweenchapters6&7,thereisa57yearintervalatwhichtimeasecondexpeditionmadeitswayfromBabylon.Whowastheleaderthistimeandwhowasthereigningmonarch?

2. TowhomwasEzraabletotracehisancestry?

3. ListwhatwearetoldaboutEzrafrom7:6-10.

4. ThekingandhissevenadvisersformulatedaletterinwhichtheprivilegesandresponsibilitiesofEzraandofthesatraps,governors,andtreasurersoftheprovincewestoftheEuphratesRiverwereclearlyoutlined.WhatwasthedecreespecificallydirectedtoEzra?(7:11-14).

5. Whatinformationandinstructionsweregivenastothefinancingoftheprojectandhowthegiftsandmoniesweretobeused?(7:15-17)

6. Whatprocedurewastobefollowedincasetherewasasurplus?

7. Whatprocedurewastobefollowedincasetherewasadeficit?

Ezra7:21-288. HowwerethetreasurersofTrans-Euphratestobeofdefiniteservicetotherepatriatedexiles?(7:21-23)

9. Whowerethepersonsexemptedfrompayingtaxesofanysort?

10. WhatspecialauthoritywasextendedtoEzrabythekingandhiscabinetofseven?

11. Listthefourtypesofpunishmenttobemetedouttolawbreakers.

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12.Inyouropinion,iscapitalpunishmenttoserveprimarilyasadeterrentorasapunishment?

13. WhywasEzra’sascriptionofpraiseaddressedtoGodratherthandirectlytoArtaxerxes?

Ezra8:1-3014. WhatleadsyoutobelievethatEzrawasameticuloustypeofindividual,carefulaboutdetails?(8:1-14)

15. ThreedayswererequiredtoassembleandregisterallwhointendedtoaccompanyEzra.Whowerethementhatshouldhavebeentherebutwerenot?

16. Ezrasoughttorectifythesituationbycontactingthe“topbrass,”amanbythenameofIddo,andaskinghimandhiskinsmentorecruitattendantsandworkersforthehouseofGod.EzraeventoldthemessengerswhattosaytoIddobywayofpersuasion.IfyouwereinEzra’splace,whatsalestalkwouldyouhavesuggestedpointbypoint?

17. Whywerethemessengerssuccessfulingainingrecruitsandtowhatextent?

18. Whatwasthefirstitemontheagendawhenthemassmeetingcametoorder?

19. WhydidEzranotrequestamilitaryescortoftheking?

20. WhatprecautionarymeasuresdidEzrataketosafeguardtheconsecratedtreasures?

Ezra8:30-3621. TowhomdidtheleadersandpeopleattributetheirsafearrivalinJerusalem,and,afterathreedayrest,whatwas

thefirstorderofbusinessonthefourthday?

22. Howdidthereturneesexpresstheirgratefulnessfor“MissionAccomplished”?

23. Whydidtheking’sorders,deliveredtothesatrapsandtothegovernorswestoftheEuphratesRiver,proveexceedinglyhelpful?

24. WhatspiritualandpracticallessonsdidyoulearnfromyourstudyofEzra7and8?

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INSTRUCTIONSTOEZRA– EZRA7 :12-20 23

INSTRUCTIONSTOTHESATRAPSANDDEPUTY

GOvERNORS– EZRA7 :21-24 24

EZRA’SPERSONALRESPONSETOTHECOMMISSION

EZRA7 :27-28 24

KEEPINGTHERECORDS– EZRA8 :1 -23 24

CHECKANDDOUBLE-CHECK– EZRA8 :24-30 24

JOURNEYACCOMPLISHEDWITHTHANKSGIvING

EZRA8 :31-36 25


Three grouPs of rePaTriaTed exiles1. Co-leaders:Zerubbabel,Jeshua,Sheshbazzar Text:Ezra,Chapters1–6. Persianking:Cyrus,539(550)-530B.C. Accomplishment:Completionofthetemple,515B.C.2. Text:Ezra,Chapters7–8. 57yearslater,in458B.C.,Ezraledthesecondexpeditiontothe

homeland. Text:Ezra,Chapters9–10 Accomplishment:Actiontakenagainstmixedmarriages.3. 12yearslater,Nehemiahheadedthethirdexpedition. Text:Nehemiah1:1-7:73a. Persianking:Artaxerxes Accomplishment:Reconstructionofthecitywalls;reformofthe

moral,ceremonial,andreligiouslifeofthenation,incooperationwithEzra.

geTTiNg To kNoW ezra BeTTer Ezra 7:1-11Ezrawasanoutstandingpersonage,equippedbyGodtobeanablepriest,chieftain,teacher,exemplar,andreformer.“ThehandoftheLordhisGodwasonhim”(7:6b-NIv).Hecouldtracehislineagebacktothefirstchiefpriest,Aaron,brotherofMoses(7:5b).That’s

“The people were desirous of giving thanks to the Lord, for He proved good, and His mercy abode with them right down to the present.”

onegoodreasonwhyEzrawasanauthoritativefigure.Hefulfilledtheofficeofhisministryinatwofoldmanner:astherepresentativeofGod’schosenpeople,leadingthemintheworshipofandobedienceto,thesovereignLord,andalsoastherepresentativeofGodinproclaimingHiswillandloving-kindness.

Ezrawasanardentstudentof“theLawofMoses,whichtheLord,theGodofIsrael,hadgiven”(7:6a),andwasdeterminedtoconformhisbehaviortoGod’sabsolutes.Hewasascribe,asecretary-inasenseinwhichthewordisusedtodayinconnectionwithmembersofthePresident’scabinet,e.g.,SecretaryofState,SecretaryoftheInterior,etc.HestoodinthegoodgracesofKingArtaxerxes.Themonarchrespectedhisjudgment,prizedhisuncommoncommonsense,and“grantedhimeverythingheasked”(7:6b).Diplomacyisthefineartoflettingotherpeoplehaveyourway-provided,ofcourse,thatyoursuggestionsaresound,workable,andadvantageoustomanyforyearstocome.Ezradidnotseekscholarlyattainmentsinordertogratifyhisego,buttobeofservicetoothers.“EzrahaddevotedhimselftothestudyandobservanceoftheLawoftheLord,andtoteachingitsdecreesandlawsinIsrael”(7:10).

Ezrawasamanofstrongfaith.Artaxerxeswaswillingtoprovideamilitaryescorttoprotectthepilgrimsfromenemiesontheroad,butEzrachosetodependuponGodasashieldanddefense;“andheansweredourprayer”(8:21-23).Ezraisesteemedasthefounderofasynagogue;peradventure,thewriterofseveralpsalms,notablyPsalm119,thelongestchapterintheBible;andtheassembler,withotherrabbis,ofthebooksoftheOldTestamentintotheCanon,i.e.,thelistofbooksofficiallyacceptedbythechurchasgenuinelyinspired.TheApocryphaare“fourteenbooksoftheSeptuagint(GreektranslationoftheHebrewOldTestament)thatarerejectedinJudaismandregardedbyProtestantsasnotcanonical;elevenofthemarefullyacceptedintheRomanCatholiccanon”(Webster).

EzrawasconcernedabouthiskinsmeninJudeawho,sincethedeathoftheirtwogreatleaders,Zerubbabelthe

governor,andJeshuathepriest,hadgottenawayfromtheirreligiousmooring.So,EzrarequestedandobtainedpermissionfromArtaxerxestoleadabandofvolunteerstoJerusalem(7:11-26).Arrivingtherein458B.C.,heconductedBibleclasssessions(Nehemiah8:2-3),andinstitutedreforms,particularlyintheareaofmixedmarriages.

TwosectionsinEzraarewritteninAramaicinsteadoftheusualHebrew(Ezra4:8-6:18and7:12-26).Aramaicwas“atthattimethelanguageofinternationaldiplomacy”(Roehrs).

iNsTruCTioNs To ezra Ezra 7:12-20KingArtaxerxesandhissevenadvisersmetinsolemnsessionandstudiouslyconsideredtherequestofEzra.Theyreachedcertainconclusionsandembodiedtheseinalettertosatraps,anddeputygovernorsinTrans-Euphrates.AcopyoftheletterwasgiventoEzra(7:11).ThefollowingdecisionsconcerningEzrahadbeenreachedandweresetforthintheletter:

- thatEzrabeallowedtogotoJudahandJerusalemtocheckonwhetherthefolkwaysofthepeopletherewereinconsonancewiththeLawoftheirGodasrevealedinthescrollwhichEzrahadinhishand(7:13-14);

- thatEzrawasgivenagrantofsilverandgoldfromtheroyaltreasurytohonor“theGodofIsrael,whosedwellingisinJerusalem”(7:15);

- thatEzrabepermittedtosolicitfundsintheformoffreewillofferingsamongresidentsofBabylonandamongfunctionariesandadherentsoftheJewishfaith(7:16);

- thatthesemoniesbeusedforsacrificialpurposesandceremonialofferings(7:17);

- thatanysurplusbedispensedaccordingtothediscretionoftheeldersandthewillofGod,assetforthintheholywritings(7:18);

- thatallpreciousarticles,givenasgiftsbythekingand

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hiscabinet,beusedasdesignatedforthebeautificationofthetempleworship(7:19);

- thatifextrafundswerestillneeded,arequisitionformbepresentedtotheroyaltreasury(7:20),withtheexpectancyoffavorableresults.

iNsTruCTioNs To The saTraPs aNd dePuTy goverNors Ezra 7:21-24

Next:ThetreasurersintheprovinceswestoftheEuphratesRiverwereorderedtogiveEzrawhateverherequested,“upto$200,000insilver:1225bushelsofwheat,990gallonsofwine;anyamountofsalt;andwhateverelsetheGodofheavendemandsforhistemple;forwhyshouldweriskGod’swrathagainstthekingandhissons?”(7:22-23,TheLivingBible).

Thekingalsodecreedthattheentiretemplepersonnelbeexemptedfrompayingtaxesofanysort,towit:thepriests,Levites,singers,gatekeeper,templeservantsorotherworkersatthehouseofGod(7:24).Finally,intheking’sletter,authoritywasgiventoEzratoappointmagistratesandjudgestoadministerjusticetoallpeople“beyondtheriver.”Whoeverdisobeyedwastobepunishedbydeath,exile,lossofproperty,orimprisonment(7:25-26).SuchgreatauthoritywasvestedinEzrabecauseKingArtaxerxesbelievedEzrapossessedextraordinarywisdomfromGod(7:25a),andthekingwasright,aslateraccomplishmentsbearwitness.

ezra’s PersoNal resPoNse To The CommissioN Ezra 7:27-28EzragavecredittoGodandpraisedHimformovingtheheartofthekingtobringhonortothehouseoftheLordinJerusalem.Andnow,forthefirsttime,Ezraidentifiesandbringshimselfintotheforeground,saying,“TheGodofourfathers…hasextendedhisgoodfavortomebeforethekingandhisadvisersandalltheking’spowerfulofficials”(7:27-28a).GratefullydoesheattributetotheLordthesuccessoftheventurewiththisfelicitousacknowledgment:“BecausethehandoftheLordmyGodwasonme,Itookcourageandgatheredleadingmenfrom

Israeltogoupwithme”(7:28b).

keePiNg The reCords Ezra 8:1-23Ezracontinuestorenderapersonalaccountofthepreparationsmadeforthejourneyandthecaretakeninkeepingrecordsstraight.First,alisthadtobemadeofthenamesandgenealogiesoftheleaderswhowouldaccompanyhimfromBabylonduringthereignofKingArtaxerxes(8:1-14).Then,hecalledamassmeetingofallwhointendedtomakethepilgrimage.Theymetatacertainriver,knowntothembutnottous.Inscanningthelistofnamesandoccupations,EzranotedthattheLeviteswereconspicuousbytheirabsence.Surely,thiswouldneverdo,forthepriestsneededassistanceinthesacrificeofanimalsatthealtar.

Ezratookaction.HesentwordtoIddo,thechiefamongtheLevites,andurgedhimtousehisinfluenceinrecruitingservantsforthehouseofGod.HeeventoldthemessengershowtowordtheirrequestinaddressingIddo.Thenetresultwasverygood.Levitesandservantsarrivedbythehundreds.Anotherdetail:allofthemhadtosigntheregistry.

Nowthatallthetravelerswereonhand,themeetingcouldbegin.ThefirstthingonthedocketwastosupplicateJehovahLordtograntasafejourney.Torivettheiraffectionsonthingsabove,Ezraproclaimedafast.Hecouldhaveacceptedtheking’sofferofamilitaryescort,buthedeclined.Hetoldtheking,OurtrustisinGod;hewillseeusthrough.AnditcametopassthatGodansweredtheirprayer(8:21-23).

CheCk aNd douBle-CheCk Ezra 8:24-30Whenentrustedwiththedeliveryofvaluables,asane,sensible,andresponsibleoverseermakesalist.Otherwise,thepersonsattheotherendmightsay,“Areyousurenoneofyoudevelopedstickyfingersenroute?Wethoughtthereshouldbemorearticles.”

Thesewerethearticlesthatweregoingintransport,whichEzranaturallyinsistedberecorded:–insilver:$1,300,000;insilverutensils:$200,000;–ingold:

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$3,000,000;–andtwentygoldbowlsworthatotalof$100,000.Therewerealsotwobeautifulpiecesofbrasswhichwereaspreciousasgold(TLB).

Littlewonderthat,afterconsecratingthemen,Ezrashouldconsecratethecopioustreasureslikewise.Thepeoplehadbeenverygenerousintheirdonations.MotivatedbylovetoGod,theyhadgivensilver,gold,andbowlsasfree-willofferingstotheLordGodoftheirfathers(8:24-28).ThepriestsandLevitesassumedresponsibilityforsafe-guardingthetreasures(8:29-30).

JourNey aCComPlished WiTh ThaNksgiviNg Ezra 8:31-36 TheentouragearrivedsafelyinJerusalem.ThehandofGodwasonthemandprotectedthemfromenemiesandbanditsalongtheway.Whatjubilationwhentheyfinallyreachedtheirdestination!Ezragrantedthemathree-dayperiodofrest.Onthefourthday,thepreciouscargowasthoroughlyexaminedandcheckedout.ThemeticulousEzrawrote,“Everythingwasaccountedforbynumberandweight,andtheentireweight[thesumtotal]wasrecordedatthattime”(8:33-34).

ThepeopleweredesirousofgivingthankstotheLord,forHeprovedgood,andHismercyabodewiththemrightdowntothepresent.Theyrenderedsacrifices.Thebloodofthesacrificialanimalswascompletelydrained,andallthefatburned,buttherestwaseaten,astheygatheredaroundimprovisedbutfestiveboards.TheirprayersweresetbeforeGodasincenseandtheliftingupoftheirhandsinpraiseastheeveningsacrifice(8:35).Onebitofbusinessyetremained,andEzramanagedtogetthatdone.“Theyalsodeliveredtheking’sorderstotheroyalsatrapsandthegovernorsofTrans-Euphrates,whothengaveassistancetothepeopleandtothehouseofGod”(8:36,NIv).

He told the king, Our trust is in God; He will see us through. And it came to pass that

God answered their prayer (8:21-23).

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Praise and thanksgiving to our almighty and merciful God, for baptismal grace; for pardon, peace and power through the atoning blood; for reconciliation

through the cross; and for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Draw us closer to You in service and to one another, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Ezra9

1. Ezrahadanumberoftaskstoattendtobeforehecouldconcentrateonthemainpurposeofhismission,thatofelevatingthemoraltoneofthenation.Thenationhadbecomequitepermissiveduringthepast57yearssincethedaysofsuchexemplaryleadersasZerubbabelandJeshua.WhatproblemwasbroughttoEzra’sattentionbythepresentleaders?

2. HowdidEzrareacttothedolefulnews?

WhofeltthesamewayEzradidconcerningconditionsexistinginIsrael?

3. TowhomdidEzraturnforhelpinhisdistress?

HowdidEzraincludehimselfintheconfessionalprayer?

4. AccordingtoEzra,whyhadGodturnedHisfavorawayfromHischosenpeople,intimespastandevennow?

5. Whyshouldthenationtakeadvantageofthepresentsituation?

6. Howwastherelativelyfavorablesituationoftheremnanttobepreservedinthepresentandforthefuture?(9:10-15)

Ezra107. HowdidEzrasucceedingatheringagreatnumberofpeopleabouthimandimpressingthemwiththeseriousness

ofthenationalaberration?

8. Whosteppedforwardasspokesmanforthepeopleandwhatdidheconfess?

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9. WhatencouragementdidShecaniahofferEzra?

10. WhatimmediateactiondidEzraproposeandwhoagreedwithhim?

11. InwhatmannerdidEzraseekadegreeofrelieffromhisemotionalturmoil?

Ezra10:7-4412. AproclamationwassentforthdemandingthattheexilesattendamassmeetinginJerusalem.Whatwouldbethe

fateofanyonewhofailedtoappearwithinthreedays?

Howeffectivewastheultimatum?

Describethegatheringofthepeople.

13. Ezrakepthismessageshort.However,hedidmakethreeimportantpoints.Whatwerethesepoints?(10:10-11)

14. Howdidthepeoplerespondtohisexhortation?

15. Whatpracticalsuggestionwasmadeconcerningtheprocedure?

16. Whovotedagainsttheproposition?

17. HowdidEzragoaboutimplementingthealmostunanimousresolution?

18. ThebookofEzraclosesabruptlywithalistofthosefoundguiltyofmixedmarriages.Amongthemwere:priests,Levites,andprominentlaypeople-110inall.Discusshow“mixedmarriage”isviewedintoday’sculture?

19. Whatguidelinesaregivenforthechoiceofamateinthefollowingreferences?(1Kings11:1-2;2Corinthians6:14-18;Ephesians5:15-33)

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Ezrae z r A 9 & 1 0LEsson 6

EZRA IS DISTRAUGHT– EZRA9 :3 -4 29

EZRA’SPRAYER– EZRA9 :5 -15 29

ADDENDUM: GOD’SLOvEANDJUSTICERECONCILED 29

TIMETOACT– EZRA10 :1-4 30

ACTION IS TAKEN– EZRA10 :5-8 30

PLENARYMEETING–EZRA10 :9-11 31

RECTIFYINGMATTERSREQUIRESTIME– EZRA10 :12-17 31

CATALOGUEOFOFFENDERS–EZRA10 :18-44 31

THEENDOFTHEBOOKOFEZRA 31

ProBlem? mixed marriages Ezra 9:1-4WhenhearrivedinJerusalemwithhisgroupofreturningexiles,Ezrahadtoattendtocertaintasksbeforehecouldconcentrateonthemainpurposeandaimofhismission.Hehadtograntthetravelersthreedays’rest,checkoutthetreasuresandmoniesbroughtbacktoJudea,offersacrificesofthanksgivingtoGod,settlethepeopleinthevillagesoftheirforebearsandinJerusalem,anddelivertheking’sorderstothesatrapsofwhichJudeawasapart.Allthisrequiredtime;infact,fourmonths’time.

“Afterthesethingshadbeendone”(9:1),Ezrabecameinvolvedinhisprimaltask,thatofelevatingthemoraltoneofthepeople.TheleadersapprizedhimofthefactthatthedescendantsofthosewhohadcomewithZerubbabel57yearsearlier,includingthepriestsandLevites,hadnotconformedtothecovenantestablishedbetweenGodandHispeoplebuthadintermarriedwithpagans.ThemandateagainstmixedmarriageshadbeenspelledoutlongbeforeIsrael’sentranceintotheLandofPromise.“WhentheLordyourGodbringsyouintotheland[inhabitedbygrossidolaters,liketheHittites,Canaanites,etc.,](Deuteronomy7:1)“donotintermarrywiththem…foryouareapeopleholytotheLordyourGod.TheLordyourGodhaschosenyououtofallthepeoplesonthefaceoftheearthtobehispeople,histreasuredpossession”(Deuteronomy7:1-6).“TheLord’scommandagainstintermarriagewithforeignerswasnotraciallymotivatedbutwas

“Together with Nehemiah, Ezra did his part in rebuilding the national character.”

intendedtopreventspiritualcontaminationandapostasy”(1Kings11:1-11;Nehemiah13:25-27,ConcordiaSelf-StudyBible,p.254).GodpromisedHisfavorsifHispeoplerecognizedHisloneandexclusivesovereignty;ontheotherhand,HethreatenedrejectionifHispeoplepaidhomagetoidols.ThelattertrendwouldprovedeleterioustothenationfromwhomtheMessiahwastocome.

ezra is disTraughT Ezra 9:3-4Ezra’sheartwasfissuredwhenhereceivedthedolefulnewsofthemanymixedmarriages,especiallyso,whenhelearnedthat“theleadersandofficialshaveledthewayinthisunfaithfulness”(9:2b).Heexpressedhisgriefsymbolicallybytearinghisouterandinnergarmentstosignifythathishearthadbeentornasunder.Healsopluckedouthairfromhisheadandhisbeard.Hefeltweakallover.Hecouldnolongerstand.Hesatdownappalled(9:3).EveryonewhoreveredthedictaofGodgatheredaroundthisheartbrokenteacheroftheLawandlamented.Ezraremainedinvirtualshockuntilevening(9:4).

ezra’s Prayer Ezra 9:5-15Then,atthetimeoftheeveningsacrifice,Ezrarosefromhisself-abasement.Hedidnotclamorforachangeofraimenttoreplacehistornonesbut,raggedlydressedashewas,fellonhisknees—thetraditionalpostureindicatingdependencyandsubservience—liftedhishandssupplicatinglytowardheaven,andaddressedGodasonepersonaddressesanother.

EzrawasforthrightinacknowledgingwhosefaultitwasthatIsraelhadbeenrepeatedlysubjectedtothewhimsofforeignpowers.Thereasonfortherecurrentoppressions?DisobediencetoGod’sdirectives.“Oursinsarehigherthanourheadsandourguilthasreachedtotheheavens.Fromthedaysofourancestorsuntilnow,ourguilthasbeengreat”(9:6-7a).

NorationalizationswereusedinEzra’sprayertoaccountfortheprevalenceofmixedmarriages,suchas,“notenoughJewishwomenreturnedfromthecaptivity”or“itwastoone’seconomicadvantagetomarryanative.”No,Ezradidnotdealinsubterfuges.Hisconfessionwasstraightforward:“Becauseofoursins,weandourkings

andourpriestshavebeensubjected…”(9:7b).Ezradoesnotdissociatehimselffromthehoipolloi,e.g.,thecommonmasses,asifhewerefreefromcongenitalimperfectionandpersonalculpability.Heincludeshimselfintheprayer,usingsuchpronounsasus,ourandwe.Yes,indeed,theLordourGod,forarespite,“hasbeengraciousinleavingusaremnantandgivingusafirmplaceinhissanctuary,andsoourGodgiveslighttooureyesandalittlereliefinourbondage”(9:8).

Admittedly,thesituationisnot100%perfect.“Weareslaves,”heallows;andcontinuesineffect,wehavelostourindependencebutwehavenotlostourGod.Heisstillwithus.HeturnedthemindsofCyrus,Darius,andArtaxerxesinourfavor.Thetemplehasbeenbuilt,fundedlargelyfromtheroyaltreasury.Wearefreetopracticeourreligion.Weenjoycivilliberties.WearesafeinJudahandJerusalemundertheaegisofthePersianking.Thesearetheblessingsonwhichweshouldfastenourgratitude(9:9,NIv).

Ezracontinues:Wehaverespondedinamostshamefulfashion.WillfullyhaveweviolatedthecommandsyougavethroughMosesandtheprophets.Notonlyhavewemingledwiththepeopleofthispollutedlandbutwehavealsomixedwiththeminmaritalalliances.Inviewofthat,howcanwepossiblyexpecttoeatthegoodthingsofthelandandleaveittoourchildrenasaneverlastinginheritance?(9:10-12).Thefaultisours.Yetyou,0God,punishuslessthanwedeserved.Instead,yougavetheremnantasecondchancetoamendtheirways.Shallweagainreverttoourwickedwaysandthusinvitedestructionuponourselves?OLord,GodofIsrael,youareaGodoflove.Lestweforget,youareaGodofjustice,too.Inyourholiness,youcannottreatsinasifitwerenosin.Wetremblebeforeyouinourguilt;notoneofuscanstandblamelessinyourpresence.Helpus,goodLord.Onlyifyouconvertusshallwebechangedindeed(9:13-15).Thus,Ezraendshisprayer.

addeNdum: god’s love aNd JusTiCe reCoNCiledGodtakesnoteofandovercomessin.InmultifariouswayswehaveviolatedGod’scommandsandthusexposedourselvestoHispunitivejustice.True,GodisaGodoflove;butalsotrue,HeisaGodofjustice.Withallthefierceness

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ofHisholiness,HehatesthatwhichistotallyunlikeHisownpureself.Justasfirewilleitherturneverythingintoitsownpureselforburnitup;sotheholinessofGodisaconsumingfire(Deuteronomy4:24;Hebrews12:29).GoddoesnothatethesinnerbutHehatesthesin.However,inasmuchassinpermeatesaperson,God’sholywrathflamesoutagainstthesinner.

Now,toreconcileHisjusticewithHislove,GodsentHisonlybegottenSontobethepropitiationforoursins.Christ,ourLord,leftHisheavenlyabode,assumedtheformandfashionofaman,andbecamesubject,inman’sstead,totheholywillofGod.ThroughHisperfectobedienceHerenderedsatisfactiontotheLawandthroughHisinnocentsufferinganddeathHepaidthepriceofsin.Thusthebarrier,whichseparatedGodinHisholinessfrommaninhisdegradationandsin,wasremoved.ChristthusmadeitpossibleforthefullnessofGod’slovetofloodaman’ssoulandbringhimtoeternallifewithGod(Romans6:23,3:28;Ephesians2:8-10).

Time To aCT Ezra 10:1-4AgreatconcourseofpeoplegatheredaboutEzraasheengagedinprayingfervently,weepingcopiously,andconvulsivelythrowinghimselfdownbeforethehouseofGod.Thethrongofpeople,likewise,feltdispiritedthesameasEzra.Theyaddedtheirtearstohis.ThingsinIsraelcouldnotgoonastheyhad.Achangeforthebetterhadtobeinaugurated.

Onemanfromoutoftheassemblysteppedforwardandwaitedtobeheard.HisnamewasShecaniah.HisownfatherJehiel-apriestandadescendantofJeshua,chiefpriestandco-leaderwithZerubbabelalmostsixtyyearsago(10:2a,21),hadmarriedaheathenwoman,thusviolatingGod’smandateandsettingabadexampleforotherstofollow.Astheproverbsuggests:“Likepriest,likepeople.”ThisShecaniah,sonofJehiel,saidtoEzra,ineffect:Actionhastobetaken.Westandataforkoftheroad.Thelanetotheleftleadstodestruction;theonetotherighttosurvival.ThereishopeforIsraelifweturntotheright.

Thenheaddressedtheassembly,saying,“Youarehere,mycountrymen,becauseyouareconcerned.Isaytoyou,Nowisthetimetotakeaction,eventhoughtheactionisdrastic,namely,tonullifythemixedmarriages.Oursurvivalasaremnantisatstake.Wedarenotrisk‘canaanizingthenationandbaalizingourreligion’(Roehrs).We’vegottoreverenceGod’sdirectives.”Andthen,turningtoEzra,Shecaniahsaid,“LetitbedoneaccordingtotheLaw.Riseup;thismatterisinyourhands.”Youareourleader,andyouarethesupervisorappointedforthisregionbyKingArtaxerxes.“Wewillsupportyou,sotakecourageanddoit.”

aCTioN is TakeN Ezra 10:5-8EzrapromptlygotupandcalledontheassemblytoswearbyalmightyGodtodowhatShecaniahhadproposed.Theresponsewasunanimous.Theytooktheoath.

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Noobjectionwasraised,atleastnotatthismeeting.Later,attheplenarymeeting,fourdissentersvotedagainsttheproposition(10:15).

IfEzrafeltinwardlyencouragedbytheaffirmativevote,hedidnotshowitoutwardly.Instead,heretreatedtotheemptinessofastorageroomadjacenttothetemple,andtherehelettheseverityofhisgriefdrainoffinadenialoffoodanddrink.Subsequently,aproclamationwasissuedtoalltheJewishpeople-thefarthestlivednomorethanfiftymilesawayinthenowshrunkenareaofJudah-toassembleinJerusalemwithinthreedays’time.Anyonewhofailedtoappearwouldforfeitallhispropertytothetempletreasuryandwouldbeexcommunicated.

PleNary meeTiNg Ezra 10:9-11Theattendancewasperfect.AllthemenofJudahandBenjaminwerethere.Theygatheredinthesquarebeforethetemple.Theyhadnocomfortableseatsbutsatontheflaggedpavement.Theywereinwardlydistressed,ofcourse;and,outwardly,theywerepeltedbyheavyrain.

Ezraroseandstatedwhythismeetingwascalled.Duetothecoldandrain,hedecidedtomakehismessageshort,withoutfrillsandfurbelows.Hepresentedtheheartofthematter:“Youhavebeenunfaithful;youhavemarriedforeignwomen,addingtoIsrael’sguilt”[addinganationaleffronterytoGodontopofyourpersonaliniquities,transgressions,andsins].“NowthenmakeconfessiontotheLord,theGodofyourfathers,anddohiswill[confessandobey].Separateyourselvesfromthepeoplesaroundyouandfromyourforeignwives”(10:10-11).

reCTifyiNg maTTers requires Time Ezra 10:12-17ThewholeassemblyagreedwithEzrainprinciple.“Youareright!”theyresponded.“Wemustdoasyousay.”They,ineffect,said:However,wecan’tproduceresultsinstantaneously,surelynotinthistorrentialrain.Thecasesofmixedmarriagesarenotafewandmustbedealtwithindividually.Letusgetorganizedanddistributetheworkloadamongtheeldersandjudgesofeachtown.Agoodidea,allagreed,exceptthefourmenmentionedin10:15.

Ezrathepriestselectedmenwhowerefamilyheads,onefor

eachdivisionand,withhisusualthoroughness,hedesignatedthembyname.Onthefirstdayofthetenthmonth,theappointeessatdowntoprocessthecases,andsucceededinimplementingtheresolutionafterthreemonths’work.

CaTalogue of offeNders Ezra 10:18-44“Therewere17priests,10Levites,86sonsofIsraelorlaymen”whohadmarriedforeignwomen(Roehrs).

Thenumberdoesn’tseemlargeincomparisontotheoverallpopulationofJewsinJudea,butremembertheseweremembersoftheclergyandprominentlaypeopleand,assuch,wereinapositiontoinfluenceotherseithertogothroughthewidegateandsaunterdownthebroadwayortoenterinatthestraitgateandwalkthenarrowwaywhichleadstolife.“Youmuststopbeingledastray.Badfriendsruinthenoblestpeople”(1Corinthians15:33,JerusalemBible).

The eNd of The Book of ezraWiththelistingofthoseguiltyofintermarriages,thebookofEzracomestoanabruptclose.Butthat’snotthelastweshallhearofEzra.Weshallmeethimagaintwelveyearslater,incompanywithNehemiah,anoutstandinglayman.

Apparently,theleaveofabsencegrantedEzrawasofshortduration.ThekingrecalledhimtoBabyloniaafterEzrahadaccomplishedhismissioninJerusalem(Ezra7-10).Hereturnedtohisformerworkadaylife,performingthefunctionsofhispriestlyofficeand,asateacherorrabbi,expoundingtheLawtothoseJewswhochosetoremaininBabyloniawheretheyhadbecomeeconomicallyanchored.

Nehemiah,winestewardtoHisMajestytheKing,grewincreasinglyconcernedaboutthesafetyandwelfareofhisbrethreninJerusalem.Theyweredefenselessagainstthemaraudersontheoutside,forthewallsofthecitywereindisrepair.NehemiahsoughtandobtainedpermissiontogotoJerusalemtoreconstructthecitywalls.Hewassuchagoodplannerandbuildingsupervisorthatthisherculeantaskwasaccomplishedin52days.

TogetherwithNehemiah,Ezradidhispartinrebuildingthenationalcharacter.Thetwomendidthislargelybymeansofopen-airBibleclassesasweshallseewhenweexaminethecompanionscrollofEzra,thebookofNehemiah.

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