The People Who Returned With Ezra
Ezra 8:1-20

Ezra 8:1-20 records the people who returned to Jerusalem with Ezra. When the group assembled at the designated starting point for the journey, Ezra noticed the absence of Levites. Ezra would need the assistance of the Levites to do the work that God had called him to perform. Ezra rectified the situation by sending some leaders of the people to recruit some Levites for the journey. This effort was successful and resulted in both Levites and temple servants joining the group.

The Prayer for Protection of Ezra
Ezra 8:21-23

These verses reveal the fact that Ezra felt a great sense of responsibility for the safety of the people who were returning with him. The journey involved a 900-mile trek through dangerous regions. Ezra called the people to fast and entreat the Lord for a safe journey, especially in light of the numbers of children and the possessions that they would have with them. Ezra 8:23 indicates that the people felt confident God had heard their prayers.

The Priests Charged by Ezra
Ezra 8:24-30

Ezra 8:24-30 informs us that Ezra charged the priests with the responsibility of caring for the offerings and treasures that were to be delivered to the Temple in Jerusalem. This was a way to insure an accurate inventory and delivery of the items.

The Protection of God Over the People and Ezra
Ezra 8:31-36

Ezra 8:31-32 confirms Ezra 8:23. God had indeed heard the prayers of His people for a safe journey. The entire group arrived safely in Jerusalem. After three days of rest, the offerings and utensils were delivered to the ecclesiastical leaders (8:33-34), sacrifices were offered (8:35), and the civil leaders were presented with a copy of King Artaxerxes’ decree (8:36).

Practical Considerations:

We must depend upon God in all that we do.
Ezra depended upon God every step of the way. From the moment he made his requests known to the king to the day he set foot in Jerusalem, Ezra depended upon God. Ezra’s dependence upon God is evident in his continual acknowledgement of God’s leadership, provision, protection, and enabling (See Ezra 7:6, 9, 28 and 8:18, 22, 31).

We must be wise stewards of what God has entrusted to us.
Ezra was a wise steward of all that God entrusted into his care. He was a wise steward in his care of the people who returned to Jerusalem with him. He was a wise steward of the offerings and temple utensils that had been entrusted into his care. God honored Ezra’s careful planning and wise administration.

Each of us must do our part.
When Ezra took inventory of the people who were going to return to Jerusalem with him, he noticed the absence of the Levites. Ezra needed the Levites in order to accomplish God’s work in Jerusalem. In like manner, when we do not do our part there is a gap in the ministry team. All of us are needed. Each of us must respond personally to God’s will, regardless of what others may do.

Ezra: A Man Prepared for a Purpose

The Bible is clear about the fact that God works through people. When God was ready to deliver His people from Egyptian bondage, He worked through a man named Moses. A study of the life of Moses will reveal how God prepared him for what He had prepared for him. When Haman devised a diabolical plot to exterminate the Jews from the Persian Empire, God worked through Mordecai and Esther to foil Haman’s plans. When the time came for the Jews to be released from Babylonian captivity, God even worked through a heathen Persian king named Cyrus to accomplish His purpose.

In like manner, when the repatriates began to backslide and compromise the integrity of their faith, God used a man named Ezra to set the people back on course. Ezra was a man who was prepared for what God had prepared for him. He was a man prepared for a purpose. Our lesson today will introduce us to this remarkable man who is held in very high esteem in the Jewish hierarchy of great men. Our lesson today will again affirm the fact that God works through people!

The  Story Between Ezra 6 and 7

The first six chapters of the book of Ezra record the events of the first return of the exiles under the leadership of Sheshbazzar, whom King Cyrus of Persia appointed to govern Judah. The first group of repatriates were responsible for rebuilding the Temple that Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed in 586 B.C. They completed the Temple in the sixth year of Darius (515 B.C.).

Ezra 7-10 records the events of the second return of the exiles under the leadership of Ezra, the great spiritual leader who was concerned with teaching the people the Word of God, restoring proper worship, and dealing with the problem of intermarriage between the Jews and unbelieving Gentiles.

The story in Ezra 7 begins in the seventh year of Artaxerxes (458 B.C.). There is a “gap” of fifty-eight years between chapters 6 and 7 of Ezra. There are two references in Scripture that fill in the story between these chapters. First, Ezra 4:6 mentions the fact that the Jews continued to feel the malicious opposition of their enemies. Second, the book of Esther records events in Persia during the reign of Ahasuerus that had an impact on the Jewish people.

The Priestly Pedigree of Ezra
Ezra 7:1-5

Our first introduction to Ezra is in the seventh chapter of the book that bears his name. Ezra 7 begins with an account of Ezra’s priestly pedigree. This was an important matter to the Jews because it linked Ezra with Aaron, the first chief priest, thus establishing Ezra’s authenticity and credibility. Although greatly abbreviated, Ezra’s genealogy is a “who’s who” of important priests in Hebrew history.

The Preparation and Piety of Ezra
Ezra 7:6-10

Ezra 7:6 tells us of Ezra’s qualifications and the decree, which authorized his return to Jerusalem. Ezra’s priestly pedigree, preparation, and piety gave him credibility and uniquely qualified him to do God’s work. Notice that Ezra was “a scribe skilled in the law of Moses.” Ezra was an expert in the Mosaic Law. He was an interpreter and teacher of the law who had been trained to the point of proficiency. The Jewish historian Josephus tells us of Ezra’s piety. Josephus wrote that Ezra enjoyed a reputation in society for his integrity and the high qualities of his character.

Ezra 7:7-10 is a summary statement of Ezra’s journey from Babylon to Jerusalem. Ezra 7:10 reveals the key to Ezra’s success in life and in service.

Notice that Ezra set his heart “to study the law of the Lord.” The word “study” means, “to seek.” Ezra put forth effort to study God’s Word.

Notice also that Ezra was determined to “practice” what he had learned through his study of God’s Word. Ezra was a doer of the Word (see James 1:22-25). He translated his discoveries into deeds!

Ezra was also determined to teach God’s Word in Israel. The order is important: Study, practice, and then teach!

The Purpose and Power of Ezra
Ezra 7:11-26

Ezra 7:11-8:36 is an amplification of the summary or general comments of Ezra 7:6-10. Ezra 7:11-26 is a record of the decree of King Artaxerxes. This decree spelled out the scope of Ezra’s power and purpose.

First, it authorized the return of Ezra, and any Jews who wanted to accompany him, to Jerusalem.

Second, it authorized Ezra to investigate the state of affairs among the Jews in Judah.

Third, the decree provided for the needs of the Temple.

Fourth, Ezra was authorized to obtain whatever else he needed for the Temple at the expense of the royal treasury.

Fifth, those who worked in the Temple were granted a tax-exempt status.

Finally, Ezra was authorized to set up both a judicial and educational system.

The Praise of Ezra
Ezra 7:27-28

Ezra 7:27-28 records the praise of Ezra following the king’s decree. This brief psalm of praise reveals several things about Ezra.

First, it reveals Ezra’s humility. There is not a hint of self-praise or self-commendation.

Second, it reveals his faith in God. Ezra acknowledged that it was God who had “put such a thing as this in the king’s heart.”

Third, it reveals Ezra’s understanding that God is the source of blessings. He acknowledged that God had extended lovingkindness to him before the king.

Finally, it reveals the fact that Ezra was strengthened and encouraged by God’s blessings.

Practical Considerations:

It is important to have a purpose in life.
Ezra had a purpose in life. Ezra 7:10 summarizes Ezra’s purpose: To study, practice, and teach God’s Word to the people of Israel. Ezra’s purpose found expression in his practices and priorities. He practiced what he believed and made it a priority of his life to return to Jerusalem to teach the people God’s Word. Someone has said, “The only life worth envying is the one who has found a cause bigger than himself.” Ezra had a purpose/cause bigger than himself.

We must be careful to guard our influence in society.
We noted in our lesson that Josephus wrote that Ezra enjoyed a reputation in society for his integrity and the high qualities of his character. When the time came for Ezra to present his requests before the king we can be certain that the king took Ezra’s credibility into account. Ezra’s words were believable because his life was credible. Like Ezra, we should purpose to live our lives in obedience to God’s Word and so guard our witness and influence in our community. Only then will we be prepared for service and have credibility in service. We should be careful to guard our influence lest we be disqualified from service and ministry opportunities (see 1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

Meddling Politicians
Ezra 5:3-6:7

Once the people resumed the work of rebuilding the Temple, potential opposition surfaced. This time the opposition came from meddling politicians. When these Persian politicians arrived at the construction site, they asked to see the building permit and wanted the names of every member of the building committee. Fortunately for the Jews, God was watching over them and they were allowed to continue the work, pending an official investigation into the legality of their work.

Tattenai, a Persian governor, wrote a letter to King Darius explaining the situation and asked that a search of the archives be conducted to see if Cyrus had indeed issued a building permit to the Jews for the reconstruction of their Temple. A search of the archives was conducted and yielded the proclamation that Cyrus had issued, allowing the Jews the right to rebuild their Temple. King Darius then responded to Tattenai’s letter by telling him to stop meddling with the Jews and allow them to finish their work.

Marvelous Proclamation
Ezra 6:8-15

King Darius must have stunned Tattenai when he went so far as to issue his own marvelous proclamation regarding the rebuilding project.

First, Darius instructed Tattenai that the work was to be financially supported from the royal treasury “without delay” (Ezra 6:8).

Second, Darius decreed that the Jews were to be supplied with whatever they needed to offer acceptable sacrifices to God (Ezra 6:9-10). Part of the motivation behind this order was that the Jews might pray “for the life of the king and his sons.”

Third, Darius decreed that any man who violated his decree would be impaled on a timber from his own house and experience the wrath of God.

According to Ezra 6:13-15, Tattenai and his colleagues “carried out the decree with all diligence.” As a result, the Jews were successful in completing the work of rebuilding the Temple by the “sixth year of the reign of King Darius,” twenty-one years after the foundation had been laid or four and one-half years after Haggai and Zechariah motivated the people to resume the work.

Memorable Passover
Ezra 6:16-22

After the Temple was completed, the Jews “celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy.” Five weeks after the Temple was dedicated the Jews observed the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Ezra was careful to point out that all of this was done with joy (Ezra 6:16 and 22). This was indeed a memorable and joyous time for the Jews who once again had a Temple in which to worship and offer sacrifices.

Practical Consideration:

The accomplishment of God’s will brings great joy to His people.
After the successful completion of the Temple, the people celebrated with joy. In fact, “the Lord caused them to rejoice” (Ezra 6:22). There is joy in faithfully serving the Lord and performing His will.

Down and Out and Up and At ‘Em!

Have you ever encountered a problem so big that you were stopped dead in your tracks? Have you ever been immobilized by frustration, fear, or confusion? Have you ever abandoned a worthy project because others discouraged, taunted, or ridiculed you? Have you ever compromised your convictions simply for the sake of keeping the peace? Is there anything in your life that you can look back on and wish that you would have had the courage and resolve to complete?

Is there any venture that we can undertake that is problem-free? Is it worth abandoning a worthy project because there are people who don’t believe in it and won’t support it? Can we be at peace with ourselves if we compromise our convictions for the sake of keeping the peace? Is it worth living with regrets in the future because we lack the resolve and purpose of heart to follow through in the present?

Wow! What a barrage of questions! Yet they are all questions that spring directly from the book of Ezra. No sooner had the Jews started the work of rebuilding the Temple than they encountered opposition from their enemies. This should come as no surprise, after all, our enemies are supposed to oppose us and try to discourage us — it’s in their job description!

Opposition and problems will come whenever God’s people get involved in God’s work and that work begins to move forward. Thus the question is not, “Will opposition and problems come?” but rather, “How will we respond when opposition and problems come?”

The response of the Jews to the opposition they encountered is recorded in Ezra 4:24. They abandoned the work of rebuilding the Temple until the second year of King Darius (a total of some sixteen years). The Jews allowed themselves to be stopped dead in their tracks. They were immobilized by fear and discouragement. They abandoned their worthy project. They compromised their convictions for the sake of keeping the peace. They allowed their enemies to reorder their priorities, reshape their vision, and redirect their efforts. They were down and out!

Misplaced Priorities
Ezra 4:24 and Haggai 1:1-11

The Old Testament book of Haggai (the third book from the end of the Old Testament) fills in the story between Ezra 4:24 and 5:1. Haggai 1:1-11 tells us what the people did after they abandoned the work of rebuilding the Temple. According to Haggai, it is a story of misplaced priorities, indifference, and selfishness.

When they encountered opposition the people began to make excuses, saying it was just not the right time to rebuild the Temple (Haggai 1:2). The people had somehow lost their vision. They could no longer see the bigger picture. They were no longer motivated to work, make sacrifices, or deal with problems. Without a vision they were no longer motivated to venture.

Haggai tells us that when the people abandoned the work of rebuilding the Temple, they took up less dangerous pursuits. They began to work on their own houses. They allowed good pursuits to keep them from the best pursuits. They sought security over the sweat and sacrifice that leads to success. How the people of Judah must have lost credibility in the eyes of their enemies.

Motivating Prophets
Ezra 5:1-2 and Haggai 1:12-15

There is no question about the fact that the people of Judah needed to change. They needed to change their attitudes, their agenda, and their actions. They needed for someone to remind them of God’s priorities, rekindle their vision, and revive their efforts.

Sixteen years after they abandoned the work of rebuilding the Temple, God sent the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to motivate the people to get “up and at ’em!” Haggai and Zechariah preached such convicting and motivating messages that the people were stirred into action. They resumed the long-neglected work of rebuilding the Temple.

Meddling Politicians
Ezra 5:3-6:7

Once the people resumed the work of rebuilding the Temple, potential opposition surfaced. This time the opposition came from meddling politicians. When these Persian politicians arrived at the construction site, they asked to see the building permit and wanted the names of every member of the building committee. Fortunately for the Jews, God was watching over them and they were allowed to continue the work, pending an official investigation into the legality of their work.

Tattenai, a Persian governor, wrote a letter to King Darius explaining the situation and asked that a search of the archives be conducted to see if Cyrus had indeed issued a building permit to the Jews for the reconstruction of their Temple. A search of the archives was conducted and yielded the proclamation that Cyrus had issued, allowing the Jews the right to rebuild their Temple. King Darius then responded to Tattenai’s letter by telling him to stop meddling with the Jews and allow them to finish their work.

Practical Considerations:

We should not allow opposition to keep us from serving God.
Those who seek to serve God will encounter opposition. Jesus said to His disciples, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you…If they persecute Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:18-20). We should persevere in the face of opposition and problems, knowing that “the eye of [our] God [is] upon [us]” (Ezra 5:5).

We should not allow the good to keep us from the best.
When the people of Judah were discouraged from rebuilding the Temple, they invested their efforts in other important, but less noble pursuits. Eventually they became comfortable and slowly grew indifferent to the greater work that God had for them to do. We must be careful lest comfort keeps us from commitment and security keeps us from service.

God was interested in more than the rebuilding of the Temple.
While the rebuilding of the Temple was of paramount importance, so too was the rebuilding of lives. God knew that the lives, hopes, and dreams of the people would also be rebuilt during the course of the Temple reconstruction in the face of opposition. Edwin Markham wrote:

We are all blind until we see
That in the human plan
Nothing is worth the making if
It does not make the man.

Why build these cities glorious
If man unbuilded goes?
In vain we build the work, unless
The builder also grows.

God’s will shall prevail.
It was God’s will that the Jewish exiles be allowed to return to their homeland. It was God’s will that the Temple be rebuilt. God did not allow His will to be thwarted. He used godly prophets, meddling politicians, and pagan rulers in His plan. Each became an instrument in His hand to accomplish His will.

Problems and Postponement

While Ezra 3 began with great promise, Ezra 4 begins with great problems. While Ezra 3 closed with great rejoicing, Ezra 4 opens with the great resistance of the enemies of Judah. We must keep in mind that opposition often follows obedience.

Someone has said that if the devil is not bothering you, perhaps it is because you are not bothering the devil! Whenever God’s work moves forward, Satan mobilizes his evil forces to interfere with that work. Jesus outlined Satan’s agenda in John 10:10, “The thief [Satan] comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy.” And indeed, that was Satan’s agenda when the Jews began the great work of rebuilding the Temple.

Ezra 4:1 refers to the “enemies of Judah.” These “enemies” were people of mixed blood who were living in the land when the Jews returned from exile. They were Jewish “half-breeds” who eventually came to be known as Samaritans. They were hated by the Jews because they had intermarried with pagan peoples and had adopted pagan worship practices, including idolatry.

When these people learned that the returned exiles were rebuilding the Temple they offered their assistance. Their offer was turned down however, because the Jewish repatriates wanted to maintain the integrity and purity of their faith. They wanted to have absolutely no involvement with anyone who was involved in idolatry. After all, they had just spent years in captivity because of their involvement in idolatrous practices. They had learned their lesson the hard way.

Ezra 4:4 confirms the fact that opposition often follows obedience and that those who refuse to compromise must pay a price. When the Jews refused the help of the Samaritans their troubles began as they were intimidated, bribed, discouraged, and frightened from continuing the work. Their enemies even went so far as to hire “counselors against them.” These counselors were people in official positions who were bribed to cast the Jews in a bad light.

Ezra 4:5 leads us to the conclusion that the pressure was kept up until the reign of Darius (Ezra 4:24). The enemies of Judah caused so many problems that the work was postponed for some sixteen years! Ezra 4:6-23 is a parenthetical inclusion that details the opposition that the Jews experienced from their enemies after the rebuilding of the Temple and on through their work on the walls of the city. Ezra 4 should be read with this pattern in mind: Ezra 4:1-5 (6-23) 24.

Practical Considerations:

Opposition often follows obedience.
Whenever God’s work begins to move forward, Satan does all that he can to hinder and interfere with that work. Whenever God’s people make a commitment to obey and serve Him, Satan will always marshal his evil forces to discourage and demoralize them. We should however, not allow opposition to discourage us from serving God.

We must guard against non-Christian influences in our lives.
The Jews did not allow the syncretistic Samaritans to assist them in the work of rebuilding the Temple. They did not want to endanger the integrity of their faith. We too, must be careful lest our faith in God be corrupted by the wrong influences. The Apostle Paul stated, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals'” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Someone has said, “You can tell it’s going to be a rotten day when you call Suicide Prevention, and they put you on hold. You can tell it’s going to be a bad day when you turn on the news and they’re showing emergency routes out of the state. You can tell it’s going to be a rotten day when your car horn goes off accidentally and remains stuck as you follow a group of Hell’s Angels on the freeway.”

Have you ever had a day like that? Who among us does not have to deal with problems every day of the week?

Problems seem to be woven into the fabric of our lives. They often come upon us unexpectedly and hold on tenaciously. Problems also seem to come upon us most frequently when we have made a commitment to begin anew some aspect of our lives. Just when we make a commitment to obey God, we encounter opposition!

Even Jesus was not exempt from this dilemma. You will recall that after His baptism came the battle, after the dove came the devil, and after the voice from heaven came the roar from hell in the wilderness temptations. In our study today, we will see that opposition often comes after obedience. We will also see the importance of looking to God as our strength, shield, and refuge in times of trouble.

Purpose and Priorities
Ezra 3:1-6

Ezra 3:1-6 tells us much about the common purpose and priorities of the Jews who returned to Judah. On the seventh month, the people, who had returned to their former villages and cities, “gathered together as one man to Jerusalem” (Ezra 3:1). This indicates a sense of common purpose among the people. They had a common desire to rebuild the Temple which had been destroyed years earlier by Nebuchadnezzar.

We can only imagine what a special day this must have been for the people. It was a day they had probably dreamed and thought about many times during their years in exile (Psalm 137:1-5).

Ezra 3:2 informs us that the first thing the people did was to “build the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the law of Moses, the man of God.” This indicates that the people had proper priorities.

According to Ezra 3:3, one of the factors that motivated the Jews to rebuild the altar was their great fear of the peoples of the land. It is interesting that they did not rebuild the walls of the city first. After all, the very reason walls were built around cities in ancient times was for protection and security from enemies and outside threats. The Jews however, made the rebuilding of the altar their top priority because they had finally learned that the Lord was their greatest source of strength and protection.

Project and Progress
Ezra 3:7-9

Ezra 3:7-9 informs us that once the altar had been rebuilt and the sacrificial system reinstituted, the people were ready to turn their attention to the major project of rebuilding the Temple. The first order of business was the rebuilding of the foundation. Notice three things that helped the people to make progress in the work.

First, the people contributed to the work. The people contributed money to hire the workmen and provisions to be used in negotiating with other provinces for building supplies.

Second, the people cooperated in the work. There was something for everyone to do. Some were capable of giving, others were capable of working, while still others were capable of negotiating with the Phoenicians for cedar wood. In like manner, the work of ministry in the local church today depends on both the contributions and cooperation of the people. Paul made clear in I Corinthians 12:14-18 that the contribution and cooperation of every church member is needed and necessary.

Third, the work was coordinated. Such a major project required careful planning and capable coordination. The Levites were responsible for overseeing the work (Ezra 3:8) and the workmen (Ezra 3:9).

Ezra 3:10-13

Once the foundation of the Temple had been laid, a worship service was held to celebrate this new beginning. This was an emotional event for all who participated. The emotions ranged from praise to pathos. Ezra 3:11 tells us that “the people sang, praising and giving thanks to the Lord.”

While some people rejoiced and shouted aloud for joy however, those who were older and had seen the glory of the first Temple “wept with a loud voice.” Perhaps the older generation wept because they felt that the second Temple would be less-than-adequate in both size and splendor. Ezra 3:13 records that the mingled shouts of praise and loud weeping resulted in a terrible cacophony of sound that “was heard far away.”

Practical Considerations:

Problems are woven into the fabric of life.
We should not be surprised or despair when we encounter problems or when problems encounter us. Someone has said that problems will either make us or break us. When we encounter problems we should try to understand how God can use them to strengthen us. Problems are woven into the fabric of life!

The Weaver
My life is but a weaving, between my Lord and me,
I cannot choose the colors, He worketh steadily.
Oft times He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper, and I, the underside!
Not ’till the loom is silent, and the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas, and explain the reason why,
The dark threads are as needful,
In the Weaver’s skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver,
In the pattern He has planned.

The Lord is the greatest source of strength and protection.
The repatriates made the rebuilding of the altar their first priority when they returned to Judah. Even though they were fearful of the people of the land, they did not rebuild the walls of the city as their first line of protection. They rebuilt the altar and in so doing acknowledged their dependence upon God for protection. In our search for protection and security may we remember, “Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain” (Psalm 127:1).

There is a place for each of us in God’s work.
The Jewish repatriates made progress in laying anew the foundation of the Temple because each person did his part. The people contributed to the work and cooperated in the work while still others coordinated the work. The Apostle Paul reminds us (I Corinthians 12:14-18) that the contribution of every member of the church is needed and necessary in order to perform the work of ministry. We are responsible for using the gifts God has given us.

Serving God brings joy to the one who serves.
After the successful completion of the foundation of the Temple, the people who participated in the work rejoiced and gave thanks to God. Others however, looked back and became saddened because they felt the new Temple would be less-than-adequate. We should maintain Paul’s attitude in life as expressed in Philippians 3:13, “forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.”

The People Who Returned
Ezra 2:1-67

Ezra 2:1-67 contains a register of the people who returned to Judah. The list begins with the leaders of the people and then lists the numbers of repatriates according to their clan, their hometown, the priests, and those who were not able to give evidence of their origin. One commentator has noted that “the protective hand of God and the vitality of Israel are clearly evident in this genealogical listing.”

The Priority of the Repatriates
Ezra 2:68-70

Upon arriving in Jerusalem and viewing the depressing ruins of the Temple, the repatriates “offered willingly to the house of God to restore it on its foundation. According to their ability they gave to the treasury” (Ezra 2:68b-69a). Their priority was to rebuild the Temple. In so doing they would also rebuild their homes and their lives. The people faced both the joys and challenges of a new beginning. The road ahead would certainly be filled with hazards and discouragements as well as victories and triumphs, but after all, that is what the road to the land of Beginning Again is paved with.

The Land of Beginning Again

Who among us has never longed for a fresh start, for a second chance, or for a new beginning in some aspect of life? New beginnings have a way of giving new meaning to life. They have a way of invigorating us with new purpose, energy, and resolve to meet new challenges. New beginnings have a way of reminding us that past failures do not have to devastate or defeat us.

The people of Israel were ready for a new beginning. They were ready to cast aside their past failures and sins like a shabby old coat at the door. The Old Testament book of Ezra records the events in the life of Israel after they had spent seventy years in Babylonian captivity. They had the opportunity to begin anew by returning to their homeland to rebuild their Temple, the walls of their beloved city of Jerusalem, and their lives.

Understanding Why Israel Needed A New Beginning

Why did Israel need a new beginning? The answer is found in the pages of Israel’s tumultuous history. When Moses brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, God gave the people very specific commandments and instructions by which their lives were to be governed (see Exodus 20:3-23:33). God made very clear to the people that there were two possible paths of life – the path of obedience and the path of disobedience (see Deuteronomy 30:15-20). Each path led directly to specific consequences, those being life or death, blessing or curse.

Israel’s history chronicles their journey down both of these paths. For the most part however, Israel experienced a recurring cycle of apostasy, judgment, repentance, and deliverance. This cycle is best illustrated in the book of Judges where the dizzying details are recorded. Each new generation seemed to either ignore or forget the lesson of the earlier generation and consequently, the cycle was repeated. Israel’s proclivity to disobedience and idolatry continued through the Davidic and Solomonic kingdoms and throughout the period when the kingdom was divided into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah.

Eventually both kingdoms were punished for their sins as God allowed them to be carried away into captivity. The Assyrians carried the Northern Kingdom away into captivity in 722 B.C. and the Babylonians carried the Southern Kingdom away into captivity in 586 B.C.

Life in Captivity

The Babylonian Captivity was a trying, humiliating, and sorrowful experience for the Jews. They had to deal with radical changes in every area of their lives as well as cope with the pain of homesickness and feelings of bitterness and hatred toward their captors. Psalm 137 records the anguish of the captivity and the longing of the Jews for their release and return to Jerusalem, as well as their desire for calamity on the Babylonians. They had lost their freedom, were separated from friends and neighbors, and experienced the emotional trauma of seeing the Temple destroyed and the city of Jerusalem razed. We can only imagine how difficult this experience must have been to the Jews. Yet, it was all part of the harvest (Galatians 6:7)!

God Sets the Stage for a New Beginning

We have noted that the national and personal sins of the people brought the wrath and judgment of God. After their many years in exile however, it was time for them to experience the compassion and mercy of God. Through a series of events in the international political scene, Cyrus king of Persia successfully expanded his empire. The Babylonian Empire fell to Cyrus in 539 B.C.

The Person of Cyrus
Ezra 1:1

We are introduced to Cyrus in Ezra 1:1. He was the King of Persia who had overthrown Babylon and who ruled over a vast empire. Some two hundred years before Cyrus appeared on the political scene of the Ancient Near East, Isaiah prophesied that God would raise up a deliverer from the east and give him victory over the nations (Isaiah 41:2). Isaiah identified this deliverer by name – Cyrus! (see Isaiah 44:28 and 45:1). Isaiah further prophesied that Cyrus would let the exiles go free (Isaiah 45:13).

The Prophecy of Jeremiah
Ezra 1:1

Ezra 1:1 points out the fact that the actions of Cyrus fit into a larger scheme. Cyrus was serving a purpose bigger than his own, as indicated by the phrase, “in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah.” The fulfillment of prophesy points out the fact that God is at work shaping history and directing human affairs. History has a purpose. History is actually “His story.”

The Proclamation of Release
Ezra 1:1-4

Ezra 1:1 tells us that God stirred up the spirit of Cyrus to issue a proclamation allowing all of the captive people within his empire to return to their homelands. In the case of the Jews Cyrus granted permission for them to return to Judah and to rebuild their Temple in Jerusalem.

The Patronage of the People and King
Ezra 1:5-11

Ezra 1:4 informs us that Cyrus encouraged the people to become patrons of the rebuilding effort by financially supporting the project. Ezra 1:6 informs us that those who chose to undertake the difficult task of returning were encouraged by the generous financial support of those who chose to stay behind. Ezra 1:7-11 informs us that even Cyrus helped by releasing the articles of the Temple which Nebuchadnezzar had taken as plunder.

Practical Considerations:

There is one law that we cannot break: The Law of the Harvest!
The period of history after the Exodus and before the exiles is marked by the willful disobedience of the Israelites. Their sin eventually brought God’s judgment upon both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms as He allowed heathen nations to take them into captivity. The seeds of sin that were sown by so many generations eventually brought forth a painful harvest. Paul spoke of the law of the harvest in Galatians 6:7, “”Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man [or nation!] sows, this he will also reap.”

God’s discipline has a redemptive purpose.
God does not punish His people solely for the sake of punishment. God’s discipline and punishment of His people always has a redemptive purpose. The period that the Jews spent in captivity was painful and difficult, but it was a time when God had their attention and was able to do some wonderful things in their lives.

God is in control of history.
God has a purpose for mankind and for this world. History has a destination. God’s purposes are being worked out in history. We should never despair or think that events in this world have no relation to God’s purposes. God is able to use even the most unlikely events to accomplish His purposes.

“For all things are Thy servants.” (Psalm 119:91b)
God can use anyone or anything He so desires to accomplish His purposes. In the case of the erring Balaam, God used “a dumb donkey, speaking with the voice of a man” (II Peter 2:16) to restrain his madness. God can use a drunk on the street to convict you that you shouldn’t drink. In the case of Israel, God even used heathen nations and rulers to fulfill His purposes for His people. King Cyrus thought that he was serving his own interests, but he was unknowingly serving the interests of God.

God keeps His promises.
The Lord kept His promises through the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah to restore His people. Jeremiah did not live to see his prophecy fulfilled, neither did many of the people who heard Jeremiah’s prophesy, but God kept His word. God also kept His promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3 and 13:14-18).

New beginnings are possible with God.
God gave His people the opportunity to begin anew by allowing them to return to their homeland. The Jews had a wonderful opportunity to rebuild their lives, their Temple, and their beloved city of Jerusalem. New beginnings are possible in our relationship with the Lord.

The Reforms of Nehemiah
Nehemiah 13:1-31

Nehemiah 13 records the events of Nehemiah’s second term as governor. After his first twelve-year term as governor, Nehemiah returned to the court of King Artaxerxes. During his absence, the people slipped back into many of their old sinful practices. When Nehemiah heard about these things, he asked permission of the king to return to Jerusalem. Upon returning, Nehemiah encountered four problems that required his immediate attention.

The first problem Nehemiah encountered is recorded in verses 4-9. Upon returning to Jerusalem, Nehemiah was shocked to learn that Eliashib, the high priest, had provided Tobiah a suite of rooms in the Temple complex. Tobiah was Nehemiah’s old archenemy who had tried to frustrate the work of God during Nehemiah’s first term as governor. Nehemiah wasted no time in dealing with the problem. He personally evicted Tobiah, throwing all of his belongings out of the room and ordering that the rooms be fumigated!

The second problem which Nehemiah encountered is recorded in Nehemiah 13:35-39. This problem concerned the support of the Temple and the Temple servants. The people stopped tithing and bringing their gifts into the storehouse. Because of this, many of the Levites had to find support away from the Temple thus neglecting the work of God and the education of the people. Nehemiah rebuked the leaders for allowing this to happen, restored the Levites to their posts, and reestablished the system of collecting tithes.

The third problem with which Nehemiah had to contend is recorded in Nehemiah 13:15-22. This problem concerned the violation of the Sabbath. The spiritual laxity of the people found expression in their violation of the Sabbath. The day had become just another day on the calendar. It was business as usual on the Sabbath. Nehemiah addressed the problem by rebuking the leaders for allowing the problem to continue. He also ordered that the gates of the city be closed throughout the Sabbath to keep out the merchants who were guilty of violating the Sabbath. Nehemiah posted guards at all the city gates to insure that his orders were carried out. He even threatened to use force against any who violated his orders.

The fourth problem with which Nehemiah had to contend is recorded in Nehemiah 13:23-29. This problem was the old recurring problem of intermarriage of the Jews with pagans. This was of grave concern to Nehemiah because the integrity and distinctiveness of the Jewish people was being compromised. The children could not speak the Hebrew language and as such could not read the Scripture. This was a dangerous situation that threatened the very existence of the Jewish people.

Nehemiah dealt with the violators by contending with them and even striking them and pulling out their hair. He reminded them that if wise Solomon’s heart had been turned away from the Lord by his foreign wives, then they could not expect to do any better. Nehemiah concluded his memoirs with a prayer, asking God to remember him for the work that he had done. That prayer has certainly been answered. His memoirs have become a part of the Holy Scripture!

Practical Considerations:

We should not allow evil to dwell in our hearts.
During his absence from Jerusalem, Eliashib the high priest allowed Tobiah, an enemy of God, to take up residence in God’s house. We should be careful lest we allow the enemies of God to take up residence in our hearts and consequently cause our love and loyalty to God to wane. F.B. Meyer said, “When Nehemiah returned from a long sojourn in Persia, he cast out all Tobiah’s goods and restored the chamber to its proper use. If we have given up a chamber in our hearts to any Tobiah, we must be prepared to do likewise.”

We should be careful lest we allow past sins to trouble us.
During Nehemiah’s absence from Jerusalem, the people allowed many of their past sins to rise and trouble them anew. These were the very sins that had brought the wrath of God upon their fathers. Nehemiah addressed the matter by having the people put their sin away immediately and make things right immediately. He wasted no time in dealing with the sins that threatened the spiritual and national well being of the people. We too, should deal with sin swiftly and be on guard lest old sins rise to haunt and trouble us anew.

The Register of Priests and Levites
Nehemiah 12:1-26

Nehemiah 12:1-26 provides us with a register of priests and Levites. To the twentieth-century reader such lists seem uninteresting, but to the Jew such lists were important. Postexilic Jews were concerned about the genuineness and legitimacy of their clergy. Such genealogical lists helped to verify the credentials of those who led them in worship.

The Rejoicing at the Wall
Nehemiah 12:27-47

The story of the dedication of the wall is recorded in Nehemiah 12:27-47. Although the account of the dedication of the wall is removed from the account of the completion of the wall (chapter 6) by several chapters, only a two or three month period of time separated these events. This was a joyous event in the life of the people. Before the ceremony actually began, the priests and the Levites purified themselves, the people, the gates, and the wall. The purification process involved bathing, sprinkling with water or blood, shaving the body, and special sacrifices.

Nehemiah 12:31-43 record the events of the dedication ceremony. Nehemiah divided the people into two groups. One group was led by Ezra (verses 31-37) and the second group was led by Nehemiah (verses 38-39). The groups formed two great choirs that marched atop the wall in opposite directions toward the Temple area. When the groups met at the Temple, “they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy, even the women and children rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar” (verse 43).

Practical Considerations:

We should support those who serve the Lord.
According to Nehemiah 12:44-47, provision was made for the support of those who served the Lord in and through the Temple. These men were responsible for leading the people in worship and educating the people regarding the Word of God. In like manner, we should support those who faithfully serve the Lord in a vocational capacity and so undergird the work of God.