Author: Ezra

Time: 538 — 457 BC.

Summary: Ezra covers the events of the Jews returning from the Babylonian captivity. The decline of Babylon and its eventual overthrow by the Persians brought about this return to Jerusalem. The Jews are numbered and are allowed to return to Judah to rebuild the Temple. Samaritan assistance is rejected and their opposition is a contributing factor to the slow progress of the Temple construction. Despite the delays, the Temple is completed and dedicated during this period.

Key verse: “The Lord our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage” (Ezr 9:8).

Outline

1. The exiles return from Babylon: Ezr 1:1 – 2:70

a) The decree of Cyrus: Ezr 1:1-4 b) Preparations for the journey: Ezr 1:5-11 c) Those who returned: Ezr 2:1-70

2. Temple building begins: Ezr 3:1 – 4:23

a) The altar and the foundation: Ezr 3:1-13 b) Opposition to the work: Ezr 4:1-23

3. The building completed: Ezr 4:24 – 6:22

a) Work resumed: Ezr 4:24 – 5:5 b) Tatnai’s letter to Darius: Ezr 5:6-17 c) Decrees of Cyrus and Darius: Ezr 6:1-12 d) The Temple finished: Ezr 6:13-22

4. Ezra’s journey to Jerusalem: Ezr 7:1 – 8:36

a) Ezra introduced: Ezr 7:1-10 b) Letter of Artaxerxes to Ezra: Ezr 7:11-28 c) The journey to Jerusalem: Ezr 8:1-36

5. Ezra’s reforms: Ezr 9:1 – 10:44

a) The offence of mixed marriages and Ezra’s prayer: Ezr 9:1-15 b) The abandonment of mixed marriages: Ezr 10:1-17 c) List of those with foreign wives: Ezr 10:18-44

Ezr 1:1

See Lesson, Post-exile period, dates.

THE LORD MOVED THE HEART OF CYRUS: Cp 2Ch 36:22. There are a number of occasions when the LORD stirred up individuals — sometimes for good, and sometimes for ill: 1Sa 26:19; 1Ki 11:14; 2Ch 21:16; Hag 1:14. Especially does this seem to be true of rulers: “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases” (Pro 21:1).

Rather than wondering or speculating as to how He does this, we should appreciate that, in the case of faithful men who listen to His word, He is willing to work to encourage those who first respond to him. “Come near to God and he will come near to you” (Jam 4:8).

In this case of Cyrus, specifically, comparison with the book of Daniel suggests that it was the work of certain angels to move the heart of Cyrus in the desired direction (Dan 10:12,13).

Ezr 1:2

The decree of Cyrus is in Hebrew — apparently an erroneous translation of the original Aramaic decree of Ezr 6: see Ezr 6:2n.

Ezr 1:5

EVERYONE WHOSE HEART GOD HAD MOVED: Let us pray that God might raise the spirit within us also that we might go forward and do our bit towards the building of the spiritual temple to which we belong (2Co 5:1).

Ezr 1:8

SHESHBAZZAR: The prince of Judah. Even as Daniel was known in Babylon officially as Belteshazzar (Dan 1:7), so Zerubbabel was probably known as Sheshbazzar. We know that Zerubbabel laid the foundation of the Temple (Ezr 3:8; 5:2; Zec 4:9); but in an official letter to Darius, “Sheshbazzar” is said to have done this (Ezr 5:16). Zerubbabel was a grandson of King Jehoiachin (Jeconiah: 1Ch 3:17-19) and an ancestor of Joseph (Mat 1:12). The fact that 1Ch 3:19 calls him the son of Pedaiah instead of Shealtiel (Ezr 3:2) suggests that Shealtiel died childless and Pedaiah contracted a levirate marriage with his brother’s widow.

Ezr 2:2

NEHEMIAH: The same man listed in Neh 7:7, but not the more well-known Nehemiah (who flourished about 80 years later).

Ezr 2:36

Vv 36-39: Only 4 of the original 24 “courses” returned. By lot, the 4 were expanded to 24 again. Note: Zechariah was not of the family of Abia, but of the course of Abia by appointment (Luk 1:5) (Temple 86,87).

Ezr 2:43

THE TEMPLE SERVANTS: Or “Nethinim” (AV). They are said specifically to be those “whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites” (Ezr 8:20), thus indicating both their realm of activity and their historical origin. In most of the occurrences they are listed with and after the Levites (cf 1Ch 9:2; Ezr 7:7; Neh 7:73). Because of this reference to the activity of David and their being joined with Solomon’s servants (Ezr 2:58; Neh 7:60; cf 1Ki 9:21) and the foreign names that they bear, it has been thought that they were foreigners, mostly captives of war, put into this service. For example, Mehunim (Ezr 2:50; Neh 7:52) may refer to those overcome by Uzziah (2Ch 26:7). Nephusim (Ezr 2:50; Neh 7:52) may refer to the Hagarite clan of Naphish (Gen 25:15; 1Ch 5:19). Because of the similarity of duty, some have sought their background in the Gibeonites, “hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God” (Jos 9:23,27) and also in the Midianites (Num 31:30,47). The correlation is probably no more than that of similarity of service, not direct relationship. Whatever may be the roots of their origin, they were treated as part of the people of God, at least as proselytes (Neh 10:28…). They are mentioned by name in the OT in post-Exilic times. From Babylon 612 returned, 392 with Zerubbabel (Ezr 2:58: Neh 7:60) a count which includes “the children of Solomon’s servants”) and 220 with Ezra (Ezr 8:20) as “ministers for the house of our God” from the place Casiphia (Ezr 8:17) “in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king (Ezr 7:7). Like other sacred ministers, they were exempted from taxation (Ezr 7:24).

Ezr 2:63

GOVERNOR: “Tirshatha” in KJV. Simply sig “governor” in Persian, and refers here to Nehemiah (Neh 8:9).

Ezr 2:64

THE WHOLE COMPANY NUMBERED 42,360: A reconciliation of Ezra’s numbers (Ezr 2:64) with Nehemiah’s numbers (Neh 7:66): * The totals in Ezra: Men of Israel: 24,144; priests: 4,289; Levites, singers, etc: 341; temple servants 392; men of unproven origin: 652. Total of 29,818. * The totals in Nehemiah: 25,406 (vv 5-38) + 4,289 (vv 39-42) + 360 (vv 43-45) + 392 (vv 46-60) + 642 (vv 61,62) = 31,089. * Ezra: 29,818 (from Ezr 2), plus 1,765 (others, in Neh) = 31,583. * Nehemiah: 31,089 (from totals of Neh 7), plus 494 (others, in Ezr) = 31,583. * The 31,583, plus 10,777 (possibly from other ten tribes) = 42,360 (the total congregation: cp Ezr 2:64 and Neh 7:66).

Ezr 3:1

THE SEVENTH MONTH: The 7th month was a particularly significant month in the Jewish calendar: blowing of trumpets on the first (Lev 23:24), day of atonement on the 10th (Lev 23:27), and the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles on the 15th. This was a time of great expectations in Jerusalem. And so they kept the Feat of Tabernacles (Ezra 3:4), which reminded them of deliverance from Egypt and the period in the wilderness (Lev 23:43). A powerful reminder of the deliverance from Babylon.

Ezr 3:2

THE MAN OF GOD: Moses is referred to in this way elsewhere: Deut 33:1; Josh 14:6; 1Ch 23:14; 2Ch 30:16; Psa 90, title. This description, used in this definitive way, is shared by Elisha (2KI 5:8,20), David (2Ch 8:14; Neh 12:24,36), and, more surprisingly, Shemaiah (2Ch 11:2). Maybe we should bear these in mind when we read of our responsibilities in 2Ti 3:17 — the only NT occurrence of this phrase.

Ezr 3:3

THEY BUILT THE ALTAR ON ITS FOUNDATION: On its proper base, ie, where it had originally stood (2Ch 16n; Isa 8n).

Ezr 3:7

THEN THEY GAVE MONEY…: The Jews were having to purchase their own building materials, because they had not been informed of the provisions in the original decree (ie, Ezr 6:3,4). Their limited finances restricted them to a small, unimposing temple (Ezr 3:12).

AS AUTHORIZED BY CYRUS KING OF PERSIA: This was the original grant and decree, as received in Ezr 1:2,3 — which seemed to say nothing about financial support (ct Ezr 6:4).

Ezr 3:11

THEY SANG: “They sang together” (AV), or “responsively” (RSV).

Ezr 4:1

The ‘adversaries’ opposing the work prompted the giving of the vision to the prophet Zechariah (Zec 3:1).

Ezr 4:2

WE SEEK YOUR GOD AND HAVE BEEN SACRIFICING TO HIM: As well as to many other “gods” too!

Ezr 4:7

IN THE ARAMAIC LANGUAGE: As was Dan 2:4 — end of Dan 7. Not only is the letter of Ezr 4:11-16 written in Aramaic, but also the entire section from Ezr 4:8 thru Ezr 6:18.

Ezr 4:11

ARTAXERXES: Prob Cambyses: 529-522 BC.

Ezr 4:24

THUS THE WORK ON THE HOUSE OF GOD IN JERUSALEM CAME TO A STANDSTILL UNTIL THE SECOND YEAR OF THE REIGN OF DARIUS KING OF PERSIA: Through the opposition of the adversaries the wonderful work that had commenced with the returning exiles stopped. The work was stopped for abut 16 years. It was this stopping of the work which caused some to say, “The time has not yet come for the LORD’s house to be built” (Hag 1:2). Opposition should not cause us to slack the work and make excuses for our inactivity.

2Ch 30:1

“A solemn festival is revived by Hezekiah, to an extent unprecedented since the days of Solomon (v 36). Hezekiah opened the doors of the House of Yahweh which Ahaz had shut up (2Ch 28:24). They cleansed the sanctuary in 16 days (2Ch 29:17). It was now too late to keep the passover at the proper time in the first month, so they observed it in the second month as the Law permitted (2Ch 30:7; Num 9:10-11). So [1] The impending passover is proclaimed: vv 1-9. [2] Hezekiah’s appeal rejected in Israel: vv 10-11. [3] Judah accepts enthusiastically: v 12. [4] The great passover: vv 13-22. [5] A further seven days’ worship: vv 23-25. [5] Joy in heaven and on earth: vv 26,27.

“This took place in the first year of Hezekiah whilst the northern kingdom was still standing, but the insecurity of Hoshea’s reign permitted Hezekiah to make an approach to the north, without retaliation. Hoshea may even have permitted and encouraged it. But the appeal met with little success in the north. The majority were too immersed in folly to take heed (2Ki 17:15). But Judah responded enthusiastically, recognising the circumstances that God had brought upon them, and because they were better educated in the ‘word of Yahweh’ (v 12). In spite of irregularities the worship was accepted because of the sincerity of the people, and the intercession of the king (v 18). The tremendous enthusiasm generated in the people as they experienced the great joy of divine service and communion. They felt the need for further such experience and another seven days are spent together (v 23). The final verse of the ch is a token of the great worship of the millennium. The people confer the name of Yahweh upon the nation, joining them as one with their God, and providing for joy in heaven” (GEM).

See Lesson, Hezekiah’s Passover (2Ch 30).

Hezekiah commenced his reformation as soon as he came to the throne, but there was not enough time to cleanse the house for the Passover in the first month; thus he used the provision of the law which allowed for the Passover to be kept in the second month. This allowed time for those who wished to come from the northern kingdom to share in the Passover (v 6). Thus Hezekiah — just before the northern kingdom went into captivity — showed a great spirit of reconciliation, which probably encouraged many from Israel to align themselves with Judah in days to come. (We have been given “the ministry of reconciliation” — 2Co 5:18. May we manifest the character of Hezekiah in this respect towards our brethren.)

2Ch 30:3

NOT ENOUGH PRIESTS HAD CONSECRATED THEMSELVES: We should put in a considerable degree of effort to prepare ourselves to meet the Lord each time we go to our Breaking of Bread — and surely at other times too (for prayer, for example). It is only by doing so that we might be able to present ourselves before him acceptably. Although we are under a different law and regime than the Israelites were, this principle of preparation, common in the law, may serve as our guide nonetheless.

2Ch 30:14

Even in the capital of Judah there was false worship.

2Ch 30:15

THE PRIESTS AND LEVITES WERE ASHAMED: Were the priests ashamed because it took them somewhat longer than the people to rise to this momentous occasion (cp 2Ch 29:36)? Or was it simply a realization of the extent of the sin of the people?

2Ch 30:20

AND HEALED THE PEOPLE: The sw is used 4 times in the healing of leprosy: Lev 13:18,37; 14:3,48. (Had the breaking of the law of Passover brought a plague from God upon the people? Cp Num 14:37; 16:48; 25:8,9; Exo 12:13.)

2Ch 31:1

ASHERAH: See Lesson, Asherah.

2Ch 31:5

GRAIN, NEW WINE, OIL AND HONEY…: Almost a casual suggestion that Judah had been richly blessed (Deu 7:13).

A TITHE OF EVERYTHING: There is no doubt that the Bible supplies examples of tithing. To give such a proportion of one’s goods requires a specific discipline: Gen 14:20; Lev 27:30-32; Deu 12:11.

“Those of us who do not give of a tenth of our abundance should perhaps think of giving God a tenth of our time. A tenth of 24 hours is 2 hours and 24 minutes. I suppose most days we are awake for around 16-18 hours and a tenth of this would be between 1 hour 36 minutes and 1 hour 48 minutes. Could we each find that amount of time each and every day to serve our Lord? We would still only be giving a tithe of our time. Not much to ask really, is it?” (PC).

2Ch 31:21

2Ch 31:21.

HE… WORKED WHOLEHEARTEDLY. AND SO HE PROSPERED: “This is no unusual occurrence; it is the general rule of the moral universe that those men prosper who do their work with all their hearts, while those are almost certain to fail who go to their labour leaving half their hearts behind them. God does not give harvests to idle men except harvests of thistles, nor is He pleased to send wealth to those who will not dig in the field to find its hid treasure. It is universally confessed that if a man would prosper, he must be diligent in business. It is the same in religion as it is in other things. If you would prosper in your work for Jesus, let it be heart work, and let it be done with all your heart. Put as much force, energy, heartiness, and earnestness into religion as ever you do into business, for it deserves far more” (CHS).

2Ch 32:4

See Lesson, Hezekiah’s tunnel.

2Ch 32:5

THE SUPPORTING TERRACES: “Millo” in Heb. Literally, the “filling”: an area filled in on the top of the mountain, probably with retaining walls, so as to increase the flat area for building there. Modern archaeological finds on Mount Zion and the city of David support this identification.

2Ch 32:7

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. DO NOT BE AFRAID OR DISCOURAGED: Familiar words to those God cares about: Deu 31:6,7,23; Jos 1:6-9; 1Ch 28:10,20; Isa 35:4; Dan 10:19.

2Ch 32:8

WITH US IS THE LORD OUR GOD TO HELP US…: Hezekiah is echoing the words of the prophet who was his great counselor (Isa 8:10). Hezekiah must have taken great comfort from the way in which Isaiah spoke to him.

AND THE PEOPLE GAINED CONFIDENCE FROM WHAT HEZEKIAH THE KING OF JUDAH SAID: Some trusted his words, but many did not: Isa 22:4-12.

2Ch 32:20

KING HEZEKIAH AND THE PROPHET ISAIAH SON OF AMOZ CRIED OUT IN PRAYER TO HEAVEN ABOUT THIS: Hezekiah’s prayer in more detail: 2Ki 19:1-34; Isa 37:1-35.

2Ch 32:23

The nations bring tribute to Israel (Isa 18:7; 23:18; 60:5-14; 61:6) because Jehovah has exalted Israel (Isa 49:7; 60:10; 61:9); and this proves Him to be the true God (Isa 40:5; 44:3-5; 48:20; 49:7; 52:10; 59:17; 61:9).

2Ch 32:24

IN THOSE DAYS: “At that time”, but not actually later than the invasion of Sennacherib. Rather, this is background information for the same times: see notes, Isa 36-39, re dates.

HEZEKIAH BECAME ILL AND WAS AT THE POINT OF DEATH. HE PRAYED TO THE LORD, WHO ANSWERED HIM AND GAVE HIM A MIRACULOUS SIGN: More detail in 2Ki 20 and Isa 38.

2Ch 32:31

BUT WHEN ENVOYS WERE SENT BY THE RULERS OF BABYLON TO ASK HIM ABOUT THE MIRACULOUS SIGN THAT HAD OCCURRED IN THE LAND, GOD LEFT HIM TO TEST HIM AND TO KNOW EVERYTHING THAT WAS IN HIS HEART: The chronicler passed over Hezekiah’s unwise decision to show the Babylonian envoys his riches with a brief comment — whereas the Kings and Isaiah accounts are much fuller (cp 2Ki 20:12-19 and Isa 39:1-8).

2Ch 33:1

2Ch 33: “For fifty-five years the reign of Manasseh continued, and for most of those years it was a time of great evil and wickedness. Manasseh quickly forgot the righteousness of his father Hezekiah, and brought the nation of Judah to one of its lowest ebbs. His was the longest reign of any of the kings of the Davidic throne, and brought an apostasy into a state religion. His mother’s name was Hephzibah, and he was born on the third year of Hezekiah’s miraculous extension of 15 years following the defeat of Sennacherib. Even though the message of Yahweh was delivered to the king and nation, the sad record is ‘they would not hearken’ (v 10). Therefore the divine judgment came against the king (v 11), and he was taken into captivity into Babylon towards the end of his reign. Then came the most remarkable change in Manasseh. In his affliction, he prayed unto Yahweh and humbled himself. After so long a period of absolute apostasy and wickedness, the heart of Manasseh was turned to Yahweh. He ‘knew’ that Yahweh was God (v 13). The idea is that Manasseh recognised the hand of Providence in his life. He desperately desired to undo the evil he had done, but he had slain those who could have helped. Idolatry was still rampant in the days of his grandson, Josiah. Though Manasseh tried to repair his folly, there was not a sincere response by the nation. Certainly that sacrificed to Yahweh only (v 17), but they did this openly because they feared the king. Secretly they continued to serve pagan gods and this was openly done in the succeeding reign. The folly of Manasseh was seen in the evil reign of his son Amon, who reflected the environment of his early upbringing. It was a period of political instability (v 24) and of spiritual decadence (v 17). It was a time of great shadows in the record of Judah” (GEM).

2Ch 33:2

These kings had a great deal of influence over the people’s thinking. The people were clearly weak in following — like sheep — in the ways of their leader, but this is the way we are made. We like to follow leaders, and we like to be leaders. There is a lesson for us here in both of these aspects. When we are leading, let us be sure to be righteous; and when we are following, let us make sure we have chosen the right leader — the “Hezekiah”, not the “Manasseh”.

2Ch 33:3

ASHERAH: See Lesson, Asherah.

2Ch 33:11

KING OF ASSYRIA: See Lesson, Babylon = Assyria.

AND TOOK HIM TO BABYLON: Babylon, having been conquered by Sennacherib of Assyria, was now being governed by his son Esarhaddon.

2Ch 33:17

Manasseh could not influence the people to repent.

2Ch 33:19

ASHERAH: See Lesson, Asherah.

2Ch 34:3

ASHERAH: See Lesson, Asherah.

2Ch 34:5

HE BURNED THE BONES OF THE PRIESTS ON THEIR ALTARS: This action was predicted by “a man of God out of Judah” in the reign of Jeroboam (1Ki 13:1,2).

2Ch 34:6

THE TOWNS OF MANASSEH, EPHRAIM, AND SIMEON, AS FAR AS NAPHTALI: The cities which Josiah cleansed were outside the boundaries of Judah. He actually extended his cleansing into the territory of Israel — the people who had already gone into captivity. This might seem rather a waste of effort. However, Josiah knew that the land belonged to God, and that it was polluted by the idols — even though Israel had been taken away by the Assyrians some time before.

2Ch 34:12

Examples of faithfulness in service: Samuel (1Sa 3:20); David (1Sa 22:14); the temple overseers (2Ki 12:15); the workers (2Ch 34:12); Hananiah (Neh 7:2); Abraham (Neh 9:8); the treasurers (Neh 13:13); Daniel (Dan 6:4); Timothy (1Co 4:17); Epaphras (Col 1:7); Tychicus (Col 4:7); Onesimus (Col 4:9); Paul (1Ti 1:12); Moses (Heb 3:2,5); Gaius (3Jo 1:5); Jesus Christ (Rev 1:5); Antipas (Rev 2:13).

Cp Luk 16:10; 2Ch 31:12.

2Ch 34:19

WHEN THE KING HEARD THE WORDS OF THE LAW, HE TORE HIS ROBES… AND GAVE ORDERS…: He might easily have said, ‘How interesting! We should begin a study of this unique historical document!’ Or ‘Let’s form a committee to look into this!’ Or ‘So what?’ But instead, he repents immediately, and then begins to take action!

Josiah’s actions contrast sharply with those of his son Jehoiakim, when he heard the word of God (Jer 36:23) only a few years later.

2Ch 34:22

HULDAH: “When she died, she was buried at the entrance to the house of God in Jerusalem. A great multiple gateway was built in the southern wall of the temple, a part of which was called the Huldah Gates Jesus and his apostles must have used it many times during his mortal life” (Mary Eyre, Tid 64:553).

2Ch 34:33

When the Book of the Law was discovered in Josiah’s reign, it is likely that he read of the evils which Moses had prophesied would come about if the Jews neglected God. He sent to inquire of God what he might do to avert this judgment. God’s answer was that it was too late; the calamities were on the way. However, because Josiah was faithful and God-fearing, they would not come in his day. Thus the first fulfillment of the prophecy of Jeremiah concerning a northern invader, may have been averted because of Josiah and the resurgence in his day of Judah’s right worship. (The Scythians passed by Palestine. However, the Babylonians would not.) While he lived Josiah indeed did God’s will, so that — “All his days the children of Israel departed not from following the LORD” (2Ch 34:33). Not only did he cleanse Judah, but he was also instrumental in reducing idolatry in Israel.