SOURCE FOR QUESTIONS
Ezra 1:1 through 10:44

‍KEY VERSE FOR MEMORIZATION
“And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the Lord God of Israel, did eat, and kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the Lord had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.” (Ezra 6:21-22)

BACKGROUND

The Book of Ezra provides a vital link in the historical record of the Jewish people. In 722 B.C., the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel. When the Southern Kingdom of Judah was overthrown by Nebuchadnezzar’s armies in 586 B.C. and the people were carried away to Babylon, Israel ceased to exist as an independent nation. Ezra records how the Jews returned to their homeland, their struggle to survive, and their efforts to rebuild what had been destroyed. 

Restoration is a main theme of the book: not only restoration of the exiles to their homeland, but also restoration of the proper worship of God after years of captivity. Ezra reminded the people that despite their failure to obey God and abide by their covenant with Him, He had not forgotten them. 

The Book of Ezra can be divided into two sections. Chapters 1-6 document the first return of exiles under the leadership of Zerubbabel, the people’s rebuilding of the Temple despite opposition to their efforts, and the eventual completion and dedication of the Temple. Chapters 7-10 record Ezra’s journey to Jerusalem about fifty-eight years later with a second group of returnees, and his efforts to bring about spiritual reformation. 

Both sections offer hope for every generation. Those who are serving God can be encouraged by how He enables His people to overcome challenges and accomplish His will. Those who are bound by sin can learn that God offers deliverance and will accept and restore those who seek Him in true repentance.

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QUESTIONS

1. The prophet Jeremiah had foretold that Babylon would be punished for their iniquity. He also prophesied that after the people of Judah spent seventy years of captivity in Babylon, God would bring them back to their homeland (see Jeremiah 25:12 and 29:10). Isaiah foretold that a Gentile ruler named Cyrus would rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple (see Isaiah 44:28). In 539 B.C., just prior to the events in the Book of Ezra, the armies of King Cyrus of Persia overthrew Babylon. What events are described in Ezra 1:1-3, and what characteristic of God is demonstrated by these events?
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2. Verse 5 of chapter 1 indicates that “all them whose spirit God had raised” decided to return to Jerusalem after King Cyrus’ proclamation. What do you think is meant by that phrase, and why is it important?
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3. Chapter 2 lists the people who joined Zerubbabel for this journey. In so doing, the returnees indicated their faith in God’s promise to restore them to their land. How did some of the “chief of the fathers” further demonstrate their trust and commitment to God? Ezra 2:68-69
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4. The Jews had not been able to offer sacrifices to God during their exile, as this could only be done in the place God ordained (see Deuteronomy 12:11-14). Ezra 3:2 records that one of the first official acts of the returning exiles was to build the altar of God. Why do you think the people built the altar before rebuilding the Temple or the city wall?
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5. Ezra 4:1 mentions “the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin.” These adversaries were Samaritans— descendants of Assyrians who had intermarried with Jews when Israel fell to Assyria in 722 B.C. The Samaritans claimed to worship the true God, but they combined rituals from the Law with superstition and idolatrous practices. Any partnership with them would have been spiritually dangerous, so when they offered to help with the rebuilding, the leaders of Judah refused. Based on verses 4-5, how did the Samaritans then attempt to hinder the rebuilders?
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6. Ezra 4:24 records that the Jews abandoned the Temple rebuilding project, and this pause lasted for about ten years. However, in Ezra 5:1-2, we read that construction resumed due to the influence of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. Think back to those who have encouraged you to serve God and fulfill His plan for your life. What are some specific ways they helped you spiritually?
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7. When building resumed, so did challenges. Chapter 5 records a letter sent by Tatnai to King Darius, suggesting that he research whether the previous king, Cyrus, had actually given permission for the house of God in Jerusalem to be built. A search was made, and a scroll that recorded Cyrus’ proclamation was found. What did King Darius command in his subsequent response to Tatnai’s letter? Ezra 6:7-10
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8. About fifty-eight years after the dedication of the Temple, Ezra and another group of exiles traveled to Jerusalem from Babylon. Details of their journey are given in Ezra 7:6-10, including that the “good hand of his God” was upon Ezra in this undertaking. Verse 10 explains why this was so. What threefold purpose did Ezra express in that verse?
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9. The returning exiles led by Ezra assembled at “the river that runneth to Ahava” (Ezra 8:15). While encamped there, Ezra proclaimed a fast and led the people in prayer, seeking God’s protection as they traveled. Since the journey had been authorized by King Artaxerxes, Ezra could have asked for a military presence to accompany them. Why was Ezra reluctant to request this? Ezra 8:22
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10. Chapters 9-10 record that after Ezra’s arrival in Judah, he found that many of the Jewish people had intermarried with people of the region in violation of God’s commandment. In response, he fell before God in prayer. What can we learn about sin and God’s response to it from Ezra’s heartfelt petition, recorded in Ezra 9:6-9?
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CONCLUSION

Ezra’s commitment, dedication, and spiritual leadership reveals how a godly man can help lead a nation toward God. Times may be dark in our culture today, but some are still willing to stand for God and the truth. We want to be among that number!