Intro to Ezra

And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.”
Ezra 3:11

The book of Ezra in Hebrew Bibles was actually combined with the book of Nehemiah and continues the story left off in Chronicles. An interesting note to about this continuation is that the very last two verses of Chronicles, 36:22-23, are the exact same verses that we find in the very first three verses of Ezra, 1:1-3a. In fact, where Chronicles seems to end in an incomplete sentence, “let him go up”, Ezra finishes with “to up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem.” But more than just continuing the story we read in Chronicles, Ezra reminds us that God is sovereign. For example, in verse 1 we find that God is the one who had “stirred up the spirit of Cyrus” to have the temple be rebuilt. God is also the one who “stirred to go up” the people return to Jerusalem (1:5). Even Ezra was successful in returning to Jerusalem because “the good hand of his God was on him” (7:9). We can be sure that the whole of the history recorded in Ezra will be God’s will and from His hand.

The first six chapters deal with the rebuilding of the temple and the challenges that the returning exiles faced in doing so. Much focus is spent in these early chapters on the Levitical community and the important role that they played in rebuilding the temple and officiating the Passover Celebration. These events are all precursors to the second half of the book which deals with a reformation by Ezra according the Law of God. After the temple has been rebuilt, God uses Ezra to lead the people to a spiritual awakening. It was through Ezra that they were able to see just how far they have strayed from God and their need for a covenant renewal. It was not enough to just rebuild the dwelling place of God, the people’s hearts needed to be renewed.

The people are culpable, deserving of blame and responsible, for their sins and Ezra intercedes on their behalf before God. One interesting note to reflect on in his prayer is found in verse 13 where it reads, 

“And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, seeing that you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserved and have given us such a remnant as this,”

Ezra highlights how God is just in punishing them for the sins they are responsible for, and yet merciful in not punishing them to the full extent but leaving a remnant, a remnant which He will use to fulfill His promise. In chapter 10, we read of that remnant turning to God in confession and repentance. This has striking associations with the Gospel message we read in the New Testament. We all our responsible for our own sins and are in need of someone to intercede on our behalf. And while the entire world deserves to face the judgment of God, He will save and preserve a remnant, a people of His own. That remnant is composed of those who have repented and placed their faith in Jesus Christ. As you read through Ezra, remember that God is sovereign over all things that just as the people of God realized hope and restoration, so too have we. And just as the Israelites faced much opposition in their rebuilding, we too will face opposition, and so we are to guard ourselves by returning to God’s Word and trusting in His good and perfect plan.

Grace and Peace,
Alex Galvez

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