Page 99 - Advanced OT Survey Revised

Ezra and Nehemiah

Both Ezra and Nehemiah are post- exilic books. They focus on the
return of the exiled people of Judah and the other remnants.

Author and Date: The author and date are unknown, but possibly
around ca. 400 BCE.

Themes include: Return, Rebuild, Reform

Message: To fulfill His covenant promises and reflect His past saving deeds (exodus), YHWH uses the
Persian kings to return His people to Canaan and rebuild His place (temple and city, but no visible
presence). The repeated need for external reform (religious and social) points to the need for internal
change!

Brief Summary

Ezra chapter’s 1-2 focuses on the first return of the exiles. In accord with Scripture- Jer. 29:11, Isa. 45:13,
and consistent with Persian foreign policy Cyrus Cylinder, God raises up Cyrus to allow Judah to return to
their land, rebuild temple. With offerings of others, Cyrus promises to help build the temple, giving back
the vessels taken by Babylonians! In the first return in 538 B.C. (Exodus, 1:11), about 50,000 people
return under leadership of Joshua- priest and Zerubbabel governor!

Amazing Prophecy fulfilled!!!
One of the truly astounding prophecies of the Bible is found in the last verse of Isaiah 44, together with
45:1ff, (an unfortunate chapter break). It has to do with Cyrus, king of Persia. King Cyrus of Persia
would one day make it possible for the Jews to return home from their exile in Babylon. Isaiah
predicted this great event, even mentioning Cyrus by name (Isa. 44:28; 45:1), some 150 years
before Cyrus’s was ever born.

Ezra chapter’s 3-6 focuses on rebuilding the temple. As a remnant returns to Zion, they rebuild altar,
resume sacrifice as written in God’s Law. In laying the temple foundation, joy is mixed with tears, as its
majesty doesn’t match Solomon’s temple (3). Soon opposition comes. When remnant refuses to stop
working, the continuing harassment of the opposition delays work 15 yrs. (4). With encouragement of
Haggai and Zechariah, rebuilding resumes. Questioned but not stopped by authorities, the response
highlights YHWH’s sovereignty. After search confirms decree, Darius approves, with funding, and
removes threat of the opposition. The new Temple is dedicated in 516 BC and the Passover signaled the
end of the exile (5-6).

Ezra 7-8 At the decree of Artaxerxes- Ezra, priest and scribe, is commissioned to return to Zion. He is
told to: (1) go and take anyone willing, (2) carry offering to buy sacrifices (3) deliver vessels, (4) judge
and teach Jews by the Torah. (Chapter 7) In the second return (in 458 B.C.), about 2 thousand people
return with Ezra. After prayer and fasting, the remnant arrives safely in Jerusalem after a 5-month trip.
(Chapter 8) Ezra calls for reforms (Chapters 9-10) upon arrival, but Ezra discovers a huge problem: the

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