Nehemiah wrote it to records the events of returning to jerusalem and rebuilding the walls in 445 b. Ezra 710 picks up the story more than sixty years later, when ezra led the second group of exiles to israel 458 bc. The major theme of the book, is rebuilding the temple, only the first step. Ezra was a scribe and priest sent with religious and political powers by the persian king artaxerxes to lead a group of jewish exiles from babylon to jerusalem ezra 7. The jews return from babylonian exile, rebuilding temple. The book of ezra 1 of 8 harley howard sermon outlines. Essay on the book of ezra by zechariah 518 words bartleby.
To summarize, the books of ezra nehemiah offer an extreme example of a canonical process which has disregarded a strictly literary or historical sequence in order to describe the restoration as a theological model for the obedient and holy people of god. Book of ezra overview insight for living ministries. Ezra is a book of narrative history and genealogies. Ezra, the first of the postcaptivity books ezra, nehemiah, esther, haggai, zechariah, and malachi, records the return to palestine under zerubbabel, by decree of cyrus, of a jewish remnant who laid the temple foundations b. But the people who lived near them did not want the jews back in the land. They describe events after the exile of judah to babylon. Nehemiah led the third 3rd exodus back to jerusalem, 94 years after zerubbabel 1st exodus of approx. First book of esdras, apocryphal work that was included in the canon of the septuagint the greek version of the hebrew bible but is not part of any modern biblical canon. The book is comprised of an approximately 80year time frame in which ezra reveals that god has fulfilled his promise to cause the jews to return to jerusalem cf. Inspecting city, rebuilding wall of jerusalem, opposition, establishing temple service. So named because ezra is the principal person mentioned in it. They are the last of the historical books in the old testament. List of those returning with ezra 114 preparations for the journey 1530 departure from babylon and arrival in jerusalem 36 9.
Ezra is also traditionally credited with writing the books of first and second chronicles. We do not hear a word from them after they were captured until ezra picks up. Look for gods character and discover him as you journey through the pages of scripture. Detailed outline of the book of ezra exiles return, rebuilding of the temple, reforms introduced. Detailed outline of the book of ezra exiles return, rebuilding of the. Israel was under babylonian control until approximately 536 bc when the medopersian empire took control. Rebuilding the temple ezr 16 the remnant returns to judah ezra 12 judah lays the new temple foundations ezra 3 judahs adversaries stop temple work ezra 4 judah resumes temple work ezra 5 the temple is completed ezra 6 remembering the law ezr 710 artaxerxes sends ezra to teach the law in jerusalem. The author of the book is zechariah, he whom the lord remembers. Summary of the book of ezra ezra is the first book in the postexilic period of israel.
God is faithful in fulfilling his promises and so the jews return to jerusalem from their exile in babylon. This is because both jewish and christian tradition attribute authorship to this famous scribepriest. The books of ezra and nehemiah provide our primary source of information about the 100 years following the babylonian captivity. At one time, however, ezra and nehemiah followed 1 and 2 chronicles and were generally considered to be the work of one and the same author known as the chronicler. Its that time of year where our schedules are about to get even more busy. It is, however, believed that ezra did write that book and its known that it originally was part of a larger book that included the books of nehemiah. The book of ezra shows us how god kept that promise. From sunday, february, 11 2018 at calvary chapel tricities, kennewick, wa. Haggai was the main prophet in the day of ezra, and zechariah was the prophet in the day of nehemiah. The books in the bible devoted to those historical events are named for these brave and mighty men and women. Ezra comes to jerusalem 110 artaxerxes letter to ezra 1126 ezra praises jehovah 27, 28 8. The book of ezra covers the return from captivity to rebuild the temple up to the decree of artaxerxes, the event covered at the beginning of the book of nehemiah. The jews started to build a temple house of god in jerusalem. Ezra 1 niv bible in the first year of cyrus king of.
A free bible version and commentary on the old testament book of ezra in easy english. The book of ezra is the historical record of gods people returning to jerusalem after the long captivity to rebuild the city, walls, and temple. If this is true, then ezra is the second most prolific author of the bible after moses. They tell us of the repopulation of palestine by the jews, the rebuilding of the temple, and the reconstruction of the wall of jerusalem. When their king was dethroned and captured and the people exiled to babylon, judah as an independent nation ceased to exist. Ezra 16 recounts events that occurred long before ezras time. But then, one does not need to be anyone special to be used by god. Ezra gathered the people of jerusalem and read before the assembly the book of the law of moses which the lord prescribed for israel nehemiah 8. The proclamation of cyrus for the building of the temple. Bible reading dowlen road churchbenjamin lee introduction. Outline of ezra our overview and outline of ezra is intended to assist in studying gods wordhis letter to us. Ezra in the picture study bible the book of ezra with. God used three persian kings, cyrus, darius, and artaxerxes, to bring this to pass, as well as jewish leaders such as zerubbabel, joshua, haggai, zechariah, and ezra.
Greg lives in calgary alberta, canada with his wife and 4 kids. Ezra and nehemiahs actions and decrees may be seen as the beginning of an ongoing reinterpretation of tradition in its application to changing circumstances talmon. The book of ezra is part of the historical books of the bible. Ezra 1 revised standard version rsv end of the babylonian captivity. Ezra s purpose was to accurately record the events of the return from the babylonian exile, after a seventyyear period and the events that surround the rebuilding of the temple in jerusalem. The book was written to the jews in jerusalem that had returned from their captivity in babylon. Every book of the bible outlined in section headings. Inspired by gods spirit, he tells the israelites that they can head home and rebuild their temple. The book of ezra records the fulfillment of gods promise to restore israel to her land after the 70 years of captivity in babylon jer. Lessons from the book of ezra december 2, 2012 pm category.
Key personalities include nehemiah, ezra, sanballat, and tobiah. The two became separated with the first printed rabbinic bibles of the early 16th century, following late medieval latin christian tradition. Outline of ezra free bible outlines bible study start. Ezra records the initial return of zerubbabel and ezra, the rebuilding of the temple, and ezras reforms. Jan 02, 2020 zerubbabel reconstructed the temple ezra 3. In english bibles, they are usually split into two, with the book of nehemiah appearing as a separate book from ezra, but in the hebrew tradition, they are one book, entitled ezra, and nehemiah is simply the second part of ezra. The book of ezra bears the name of an individual who was a descendent of the priest hilkiah who had helped initiate reforms in the time of josiah 2 kings 22. Rather, he was a cupbearer to king artaxerxes 464424 b. This page which covers ezra bible study is suitable for those requiring an outline for ezra bible study. The book of ezra was originally combined with the book of nehemiah and served as a continuation of first and second chronicles. When we conclude 2 chronicles, we see that the southern kingdom of judah went into captivity for seventy years. This book, as was true in the book of ezra, has copies of letters, decrees, registers and other documents.
Cyrus restores the vessels of the temple to sheshbazzar. The last four books of the hebrew canon are ezra, nehemiah, and 1 and 2 chronicles, in that order. Not all the jews returned to judah, but some did return. The books of ezra, nehemiah, and esther are known as the postexilic historical books. Ezra 8 includes a firstperson reference, implying the authors participation in the events. He plays a major role in the second half of the book, as well as in the book of nehemiah, its sequel.
The book of ezra in the bible tells us that the king of persia allowed the jews to return to their own land. King nebuchadnezzar invaded israel and carried the jews away as captives in 606 bc. Childs, introduction to the old testament as scripture, 63637. The catholic doors ministry presents an outline of the book of ezra. Our overview and outline of ezra is intended to assist in studying gods wordhis letter to us. Ezra bible study guide this article contains a bible study guide and free resource for lessons on the subject of bible study books of the bible including this article on ezra bible study.
As the curtain rises and the orchestra dramatically swells, king cyrus of persia has just defeated the babylonians. Although ezra is a continuation of the historical books begun with joshua, the precaptivity and captivity books could be profitably studied before beginning with ezra. Title even though ezras name does not enter the account of judahs postexilic return to jerusalem until 7. Ezra and nehemiah, books of jewish virtual library. In hebrew manuscripts you will find these two books recorded as one. The book of ezra picks up the history of gods people at the approximate point that daniel chapters 9 and 10 leave off see daniel 9. Haggai was the leading prophet in the day of ezra, and zechariah was the prophet in the day of nehemiah. If ezra was the writer, he was copying from the journal of nehemiah. Summary of the book of ezra the hebrew traditions treated the books of ezra and nehemiah is one book, although they were probably separated in the bible. It tells the great tale of his experiences, his love for god and his deep concern. The same man wrote both books ezra and nehemiah are one book in the hebrew canon.
Preach on topics including the restoration of israel, covenant renewal, and the rebuilding and completion of the temple. Bible blender november 10, 2010 detailed outline of the book. Now in the first year of cyrus king of persia, that the word of the lord by the mouth of jeremiah might be fulfilled, the lord stirred up the spirit of cyrus king of persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, the book. God had totally given up on his people after the babylonian conquest in circa 587 bce, allowing the babylonians destroy jerusalem and his temple, just like the prophets predicted. The book of ezra never declares its author, and the books contents make it difficult to determine when it was written. It is our hope that this outline of nehemiah will assist you as you study gods word. In the first year of cyrus king of persia, in order to fulfill the word of the lord spoken by jeremiah, the lord moved the heart of cyrus king of persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing. This summary of the book of ezra provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of ezra. Intermarriage in israel 14 ezra s prayer of confession 515 10.
Ezra, the high priest, is the one person who is notable in the books of ezra and nehemiah. Ezra 16 covers the first return of jews from captivity, led by zerubbabela period of twentythree years beginning with the edict of cyrus of persia and ending at the rebuilding of the temple in jerusalem 538515 bc. It does not in its entirety claim to be the work of ezra, but jewish tradition says it was written by him. In fact, ezra and nehemiah were originally regarded as one book by ancient jewish and early christian scribes. Past, present and future banned from the bible, second ezra. The proclamation of cyrus to rebuild the temple in jerusalem 1. Even though ezras name does not enter the account of judahs postexilic return to jerusalem until 7. Near 520 bc after the takeover by nebuchadnezzar, ultimately king cyrus of persia arose to power, and he decided to aid the jews to return to jerusalem. And this is not just a warning or speaking positively of the destruction of nineveh, it is also a positive encouragement and message of comfort for israel, judah, and others who had experienced the endless cruelty of the assyrians. Since the history is so closely related, and even overlapped, this overview and summary of the books of ezra and nehemiah are offered together. Prepare your messages on gods word in ezra with sermon outlines or an entire sermon series. The books of ezra and nehemiah are the only completely historical books in the third section of the hebrew bible, the ketuvim writings. Key personalities include cyrus, ezra, haggai, zechariah, darius i, artaxerxes i, and zerubbabel.
While ezra was a scribe and a priest, nehemiah was neither. The book of ezraa brief outline sermons by art davison. To appreciate the significance of ezra s journey to jerusalem, we need to bear in mind that 80 years had passed since the first return from babylon ch. These books include all of the major and minor prophets, with the exception of the last. Ezra 1 rsv end of the babylonian captivity in bible gateway. Nehemiah bible study outline contents by chapter and verse.
The people of god have been in babylonian captivity for 70 years as was prophesied by jeremiah jer. See what its about from the first verse to the last. Ezra s reading of the torah inaugurated a new element in jewish life whereby the torah was read and explicated on regular occasions in public. One might even say that the book of nahum is a celebration of the fall of assyria. Aug 29, 2016 ezra is a man alive at the fall of jerusalem, and is put into a position of prominence among his remnant peoples. Our sermon ideas on ezra will help you preach a powerful message on the god who keeps his promises. Nehemiah, who was a contemporary or served around the same time as ezra, was a cupbearer to the king in the persian empire. Outline of ezra with the book of ezra, we return to the historical.
Ezra dedicated the temple but was not happy with the jews marrying pagan foreign wives. Ezra and nehemiah introduction theyre baack as the second book of kings ended, you thought it was all over for god and israel. The book of ezra is the historical record of gods people returning to jerusalem after the. Visit the new online stores that offer a very large assortment of religious goods.