Ezra
The 15th book in the Bible. Although it is not specifically noted, one could assume that the author was the scribe / scholar Ezra. Tradition tells us that it was written in about 450 BC and records events from a short 40 year period from 550-510 BC.
The Purpose of writing this book is to show God’s faithfulness and the way He kept His word to restore His people Israel to the land that was promised to them.
The Setting of the book: The Book of Ezra follows 2nd Chronicles as a history of the Jewish people, recording the return to their land after the captivity.
Stories told ...
1) When King Cyrus decreed that the work to rebuild the fallen Temple may begin.
2) God had “fierce anger” against the men who intermarried with foreign pagan wives. These men were required to send them all away. (Chapter 10)
Important Points found in this book:
1) Ezra details the rebuilding of Solomon’s Tempe after the Great Exile. (Chapter 3)
2) The Book of Ezra shows the unity among the returning peoples as they came home from the Babylonian Exile.
3) Ezra arrived back home with another 2,000 people. His enthusiasm and power from the Lord was on full display and sparked a spiritual revival.
4) At the end of Ezra the peoples of Israel had renewed their relationship with God resulting in spiritual obedience.
Key Verses:
“So the Israelites who had returned from the exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the unclean practices of their Gentile neighbors in order to seek the Lord, the God of Israel. For seven days they celebrated with joy the Festival of Unleavened Bread, because the Lord had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.” - Ezra 6:21-22
In His Name & for His glory,
Rich Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resource: Books of the Bible at a Glance; published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (May 18, 2018); The Life Application Study Bible.
Note: I took my information from this lengthy compilation of bible book information for all 66 books of the Holy Bible & the margin notes from the study bible.
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