King James Version

Book of Ezra

Author: Ezra. Date: 5th century BC. Content: The book of Ezra deals with the return of the Israelites to the land of Palestine after their captivity in Babylon. After describing the first return and how the work on the Temple was begun, the author tells us the problems that arose. After a great deal of trouble and early failure, the Temple was finished and rededicated to the glory of God. The ministry of Ezra is described in some detail, stressing the intercession that he made to God for wayward people of the restored community. Theme: When the people of Israel returned home they saw this as the fulfillment of the promise of God. God had said he would never abandon his people, and although they were judged for their sin God never stopped loving them. That God should care for the world to this degree is the deepest of mysteries. God desires our worship in return for his love, however. This may be seen in that he sent the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to speed the rebuilding of the Temple after the people, in discouragement, had ceased to work upon it.