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Ezra

Ezra 1-5

Exiles return with Zerubbabel
The rebuilding of the temple
Exiles meet opposition

Ezra 1:1-4

Cyrus was a rising superpower.  He had been king for 21 years; he had just conquered Babylon the previous year.  The Lord moved Cyrus's heart to serve His purpose. Cyrus was called by name byGod in Isaiah 44:28 about 150 years before he came to power. 

Jeremiah had prophesied 70 years of captivilty (Jer 25:11-12; 29:10).  This seventy years was likely measured from the destruction of the temple until the setting of the altar in the new temple.  God's timing of putting Cyrus on the throne and moving in him was perfect as well as the people being moved to action.

In his proclamation, Cyrus acknowledges Yahweh as God. 

Ezra 1:5-11

Captivity is all most of these folks had ever known.  Suddenly, upon this proclamation, the life they had made in captivity and exile ended.  By the leadership of this pagan king, these folks were called home to restore Jerusalem.  This was a relatively small group of folks moved to this task but they were supported by others in gifts and provisions.

Cyrus also donated to the cause; he returned to them the articles of the temple that Nebuchadnezzar had taken.  They had been safely tucked away in the temple of Babylon's gods (Marduk and Nabu).  Sheshbazzar took possession of these articles; he was a prince of Judah.  This means he was a part of the royal family.  Yet, Sheshbazzar was a Babylonian name meaning 'may Shamash protect the son'.  Shamash was a Babylonian sun god. 

 

Ezra 2

Ezra gives us the list of the Jewish heros of the past; many in latter days could trace their lineage back to these men.  These men were celebrated; probably much like we celebrate those who signed the Declaration of Independence.  Ezra gives us eleven names, Nehemiah includes an additional one (Neh 7:7).  (The Nehemiah listed is not the Nehemiah who rebuilds the walls in the book of Nehemiah.) 

Zerubbabel led the 1st group of exiles to return to Judah & Jerusalem.  His name means 'seed of Babel' or 'born in Babel'.  He is govenor while Jeshua is nearly always mentioned with him.  Jeshua was the High Priest.  These two are the politcal and religious leaders of the people. 

This first group returned in 538 B.C. and there were nearly 50,000 of them; the 42,360 and the 7,337 servants.  The total of those listed is only 29,818 which leaves 12,542 not identified.  This is likely because women and children were not included in the first numbers.  Verses 59 & 62 show how important the genealogy was to the Jews.  Since they couldn't prove their lineage they were restricted from worship, being priests, considered unclean and unable to be a complete part of the culture; at least untilt God could reveal His will regarding them by the Urim and Thummim.

 

Ezra 3

Ezra 3:1-7

The seventh month was Tishri and would land in late September, early October.  The year is likely 538B.C. 

They rebuilt the altar before they set the foundations and started the building.  It was important to them to get back to the sacrifice and worship of the Lord.  This was done in the face of the fear that had come on them from the people they were surrounded by.  The source of the fear may have been the destruction of the other altars prior to setting God's altar (see Jer 41).  Yet, their desire to worship Yahweh and their belief in His promises pushed aside those fears.

 

Ezra3:8-13

Ezra 8 picks up seven months after the setting of the altar.  This would now be April/May time frame.   The priests oversaw the construction to assure it was build correctly to serve the Lord.  It was a celebrated day and long sought after accomplishment when the foundation was laid.  While in captivity this day must have seemed impossible, yet by God's grace, here they were.  It was a celebration, praise and worship along with the blast of the trumpet at the laying of the foundation.  Yet, for those old men who had seen the temple of Solomon, this foundation did not compare.  It was sad for them and they wept.  However, there was enough praise that no one could distinguish the weeping from praise.

The words of dedication in verse 3:11 are the same as the original dedication of 2 Chronicles 7:3. 

 

Ezra 4

Ezra 4:1-5

It's not hard to imagine how the Jews returning from captivity might have been received by those that were now in the land.  They had lived in the land for centuries; some were born there and that was all they knew.  Suddenly, these foreigners show up claiming the land and taking their influence away.  These are the adversaries spoke of in this chapter; not necessarily evil people, just folks making their way when the Lord brings His people back to the Promised Land. 

Ezra identifies them as adversaries so we their offer to help rebuild was a veiled attempt to get closer to what was going on; to impede or stop it.  There is no reason to believe they truly worshiped Yahweh in any way.  The Jews were unwilling to compromise and were determined to press on by the work of those returning from exile.  The adversaies showed their true intention in attempting to frustrate and impede their efforts.  This went on for some time, until the reign of Darius. 

Ezra 4:6-23

Verse six begins a parenthetical passage through verse 23.  Ezra gives more detail about how these adversaries impeded and interrupted the progress of building the temple. 

Ahasuerus is better known as Xerxes, king of Persia.  He is a central figure in the book of Esther.  This was probably the previous accusations and nothing came from them.  Similar allegations were made again to Artaxerxes when a letter was written accusing them of building a city that would dishonor and rebel against him.  In search of the records they would find that the kings in Jerusalem had rebelled against Assyria and Babylon.  They would find kings that reigned over Israel as a sovereign nation and land given to them by God.  This concerned Artaxerxes who told these men to stop the Jews progress before it became a problem.  They gladly went to the Jews and, by force, stopped the work. 

This parenthetical passage refers to oppostion against Ezra in the reign of Artaxerxes.  Verse 24 picks up the narrative of the ealier struggles by Zerubbabel.  This work ceased in 535B.C.  and didn't resume until the 2nd year of Darius, 520B.C.

 

Ezra 5

Chapter five picks up the narrative in the second year of King Darius.  Haggai was widely known and is referred to as "the prophet".  This is the Haggai of the book by the same name.  Zechariah was a levite; a member of the priestly family of Iddo.  This is the Zechariah of the book by the same name.  These men prophesied to the Jews and the leaders rose up to begin building again. 

The Jews are questioned by the Persian officials.  Things were not going well in the Persian Empire; there were many revolts and things were getting worse.  The question at hand was if these men were involved in subversion. 

The eye of God was upon them, keeping the opposition at bay.  God guided and protected His sovereign plan for the temple.  The Jews didn't cease work while an investigation regarding authorization to build this could be checked.  Tattenai wrote a letter to Darius. 

©2017 Doug Ford