The Book of Ezra

Introduction

Chapter 1

God moves the hearts of the rulers to return his people to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. This is not considered the work of people but that God intervened and moved the leaders towards His purpose.

Chapter 4

The local authorities opposed the rebuilding of the temple and sent word to Artaxerxes (King of Persia). A stop to the building was issued since it was believed that the Jews were preparing to rise up against the King. The issue was that Jerusalem had a long history of revolt, rebellion, and powerful leaders.

Chapter 6

Darius (the new King of Persia) is asked to review the archives and finds that the original dictates from Chapter 1 allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temples is recorded. The stop to the rebuilding is ended.

It is interesting to see the legal processes of the day. The kinds and scribes refer to earlier decisions and documents to make their judgments, similar to lawyers and judges today relying upon previous cases in order to arrive at conclusions.

Darius also introduces a form of Crucifixion.

Chapter 7

Ezra is provided with a great deal of power by Artaxerxes.

Chapter 10

God told his people to not intermarry with the people of the land. They did and Ezra commanded that they were to put away these wives (and any children). They were sent away and separated from God's people.

I can imagine that this was quite difficult. Imagine having to give up your spouse and children. We consider the faith of the Jews as often failing them, but what degree of faith would it require for people today to simply give up their families in order to please God.

What sort of obedience is God asking from his people at this time? Is this more a reflection on Jewish nationalism than on the actual dictates of God?

I wonder, also, what happened to these people. Did they grow up to be enemies of the Jews? Was this one of the ways in which God ensured that his people would have plenty of enemies in the world? I wonder if the descendants of these people remain today and if they are connected with the events in Ezra where they were cast aside?