Ezra
The book of Ezra, along with the book of Nehemiah, spans about one hundred years of Israel’s history, from the time of Cyrus’ edict in 538 BC that allowed the Jews to return to their homeland of Jerusalem and Judah, to the time of Nehemiah’s return to Jerusalem in 433–432 BC. Events cluster around two main periods within this one-hundred-year span—538–515 BC (Ezra 1–6) and 458–433 BC (Ezra 7–Neh. 13). The former period centers on the rebuilding of the temple. The latter period centers on the reformation of the people by way of the Law under Ezra’s leadership and the rebuilding of the wall under Nehemiah’s leadership. These times continued moving the covenant story forward and prepared the world for the arrival of the Promised One, Jesus Christ. When you think about the book of Ezra, here are three things you should know.
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==ezra 1:1:
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying,
==ezra 1:2:
Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah.
==ezra 1:3:
Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem.
==ezra 1:4:
And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.