fokirice.blogg.se - Ezra the scribe

#Ezra the scribe manual#
#Ezra the scribe full#

Chapters 7 and 8 describe Ezra leading the second wave of exiles some 80 years after Zerubbabel brought the first group. Here is where Ezra details his journey in the first-person. The Temple is completed and dedicated in 515 B.C., just in time for the annual Passover celebration of the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt. The construction resumes in chapters 5 and 6 after the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah remind the kings of God’s commandment to rebuild. Further opposition comes from Xerxes, a mighty pagan king, and his son, Artaxerxes, who feared the rebuilding of a huge empire similar to Solomon’s. Chapter 4 describes that opposition arises from the local inhabitants and a campaign of accusations and rumors temporarily halts the project.

How can you rededicate yourself to trusting in God’s presence and protectionĪfter the altar, the Israelites began reconstructing the Temple according to the previous instructions during the time of King David.

What current circumstances have you asking, “God, where are you in my life?”.

A case in point is the exiles as King Cyrus allows the people to return to their land. It’s often when things seem most bleak that He works miracles or brings about the biggest change in us. We get tired, frustrated, and convinced that there is no way God can work in our life. Most of us have a tendency to give up too easily.

They celebrated the Feast of Shelters (also called the Feast of Tabernacles) as a reminder of their temporary dwellings of their ancestor’s journey for hundreds of years in the wilderness. Then, Zerubbabel sacrificed burnt offerings according to the Laws of Moses to show their rededication to God.

They were enthusiastic and sincere givers even though they knew they could not match the magnitude of Solomon’s Temple.įirst, the Jews constructed an Altar to God to symbolize God’s presence and protection. Upon the Israelites’ return from captivity, the leaders of each tribe and family voluntarily gave as much as they could toward the reconstruction of the Temple. In total, 42,360 people returned to Judah in addition to 7,337 servants, and 200 singers both men and women.Įzra chapter 3 describes the rebuilding period.

#Ezra the scribe full#

If someone could not prove they descended from Abraham they were not considered true Jews and excluded from full participation in Jewish community life. As we saw in Chronicles, genealogy is very important, so Ezra provides a detailed list of those returning. Priests, Levites, and 392 Temple servants also returned. It included people from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, grouped by families and cities. Compare the characteristics of the people on the two lists.Ĭhapter 2 lists the first set of exiles led by Zerubbabel, a descendant of David.

Now, make a list of secular heroes in today’s world.

Make a list of the heroes you know of in the Bible.

Tradition also says Ezra later led a council of 120 men who compiled the Old Testament canon, the authoritative scripture texts of the Jewish and Christian religious communities. It’s interesting to note that the author switches from writing in the third person to the first person once Ezra appears on the scene in chapter 7, which lends credibility to him as the author. Ezra is the presumed author of 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Psalm 119. His name means “help,” since he dedicated his whole life to serving God and serving God’s people. Cyrus showed them great mercy since he needed a buffer zone between his kingdom and the northern Assyrians.Įzra was a scribe, priest, and great leader. Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem in 539 and gave them back more than 5,400 Temple artifacts of gold and silver stolen by Nebuchadnezzar in hopes of winning their approval. Nebuchadnezzar has died in 562 when King Cyrus of Persia overthrew his successors.

approximately 48 years after King Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and sent the Israelites to Babylon as captives. But the account of Ezra shows how one man can make a difference. Similar to the lessons from the prophet Samuel, the lessons of Kings, and lessons from the Chronicler, Ezra is another of the historical books of the Old Testament that explains how God restored the Israelites whenever they kept His commandments. The ten chapters of Ezra in this NIV (New International Version) Bible are about how God can restore broken remnants. He was a humble, obedient man who served God and taught about God’s faithfulness. Most discussions about biblical heroes likely do not include Ezra, but probably should.

#Ezra the scribe manual#

Our next lesson from The MANual comes from the book of Ezra.