Ezra was a knowledgeable leader of jewish law, and he was also a descendant of the high priest aaron, who was the brother of moses. Each title features 12 lessons, and includes bible book and study introductions, intriguing questions for further study, inspiring quotes from lucado and others, a closing prayer, space for journaling and leaders notes. Nov 27, 2012 ezra probably knew nehemiah though the bible doesnt specifically state this as fact. The greater part of this book, though it bears the name of ezra, tells of the pioneers who came back from exile to jerusalem a whole lifetime before him. These books arent well known among christians today, but they are chock full of lessons for disciples, designed to help us grow in christs image. Life after destruction goes on in ezra and nehemiah. The revival began with the reading of the word of god by. Lessons from ezra for believers today michael hardt. We are delighted to make the audiobook of servant god available as an entirely free download. The greater part of this book, though it bears the name of ezra, tells of the pioneers.
The book of ezra is the historical record of gods people returning to jerusalem after the. In the hebrew bible the book of nehemiah comfort of jah forms a unity with the preceding book of ezra compare with the notes on ezra. Originally written together as a single book in the jewish scriptures, ezra and nehemiah document the fulfillment of gods promise that israel will return home after 70 years of exile in babylon and restore their ruined dwellings again. The arrangement of the facts in the book of ezra is chronological. Both men went back to jerusalem during the reign of artaxerxes. The books of ezra, nehemiah, and esther are known as the postexilic historical books. It contains almost all that is known of jewish history between 538 b. Chapters 16 deal with the initial return of a remnant from babylon under the leadership of zerubbabel in 538 b.
Ezra character bible study background and lessons name. The organization and structure of the bible study format presented through the knowing. Israels quest for identity by lenasofia tiemeyer 2017, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. To appreciate the significance of ezra s journey to jerusalem, we need to bear in mind that 80 years had passed since the first return from babylon ch. This 10week bible study examines the fascinating return of the jewish people to their homesand their faithas they take a fresh look at the god of the ages. The oldest manuscripts of the septuagint the prechristian greek translation of the ot also treat ezra and nehemiah as one book. Along with some basic background information on the two books, the individual lessons contain a series of questions typically 2030 questions per.
Cyrus helps the exiles to return in the first year of cyrus king of persia, in order to fulfill the word of the lord spoken by jeremiah, the lord moved the heart of cyrus king of persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing. The masoretic tradition regarded the books of ezra and nehemiah as one book and referred to it as the book of ezra. The book of ezra continues the story of the jews, following the story recorded in 1 and 2 kings and 1 and 2 chronicles. Below you can watch jims personal testimony after reading the book, as well as the download options. Ezra and nehemiah were, for centuries, received as one book narrating the return of gods exiled people to their land, as under persian rule they were allowed to resettle and rebuild jerusalem. This ezra jack keats author study is full of handson activities kids in grades k2 will enjoy. Intro to ezra biblica the international bible society. We read how they built the temple of god in jerusalem again. Nehemiah, who was a contemporary or served around the same time as ezra, was a cupbearer to the king in the persian empire. This book records the return of the jews from captivity in babylon and the rebuilding of the temple under the leadership of zerubbabel. They are the last of the historical books in the old testament.
The history covered by ezra is a continuation from 2 chronicles and is probably by the same author. The oldest manuscripts of the septuagint the prechristian greek translation of the ot. Ezra begins his autobiography in chapter seven of his book. He did, however, give his time to a study of the word of god. Ezra had devoted himself especially to study and to do the law of jehovah the word of god and was eager to teach the word in israel. The close style, approach, and verbal link between chronicles and ezra lead many to believe that ezra wrote chronicles as well. In the hebrew bible mt ezra nehemiah is a single work. Ezra and nehemiah tyndale old testament commentaries book 12. This bible study guide is divided into eight lessons. As a scribe, his primary task was the study and exposition of the law. The book of ezra in the bible tells about the jewish peoples return back to jerusalem after they were exiled.
The organization and structure of the bible study format presented through the knowing the bible series is so. A comprehensive versebyverse exploration of the bible participant book, large print genesis to revelation series brady whitehead abingdon press 2019 trade paperback. Ezra bible study bible study outlines ezra 8 bible study ezra 8 outline a list of family heads and people that came to jerusalem with ezra ezra 8. Return from babylon led by zerubbabel, chapters 1 6 about 50,000 returned a. I would recommend it more for christians who have studied the bible for a while. It also covers the social and religious reforms under ezra. Offering historical context and background, author information, charts, and other helps, these books will equip you with a. The events in ezra are set in jerusalem and the surrounding area. This one is not a study id recommend for new christians or those unfamiliar with reading the bible.
The book of ezra is the historical record of gods people returning to jerusalem after the long captivity to rebuild the city, walls, and temple. Cyrus made a decree giving the jewish exiles in his empire the right to return to jerusalem and rebuild the temple in 538 b. Ezra and nehemiah, books of jewish virtual library. Ezra 16 recounts events that occurred long before ezras time. Title even though ezra s name does not enter the account of judahs postexilic return to jerusalem until 7. The account of ezra s activity is contained in ezra and in nehemiah 8 9. God is universally sovereign and can use a polytheistic king of persia to make possible his peoples release.
Zerubbabel and nehemiah both play a part in restoring gods temple, while zerubbabel takes. The book of ezra does not name its author, but jewish tradition says ezra wrote it as well as the books of nehemiah and chronicles. Ezra, bible prophet amazing bible timeline with world history. The story of the israelites second return from babylon takes place in about 458 bc. Each lesson provides challenging insights into the cultural, historical, and biblical background of the book of ezra. Thefirst consists of chapters 16, and contains the history of the returning exiles and of their rebuilding of the temple, and comprises the period from the first year of cyrus, b. This is a daily bible reading aid or bible study for the book of ezra in the old testament. In the hebrew bible ezra and nehemiah are regarded as one book.
The book of ezra never declares its author, and the books contents make it difficult to determine when it was written. Ezra 710 picks up the story more than sixty years later, when ezra led the second group of exiles to israel 458 bc. The books in the jensen bible self study guide series are designed to provide you with a broader understanding of gods word. The book is comprised of an approximately 80year time frame in which ezra reveals that god has fulfilled his promise to cause the jews to return to jerusalem cf. This was also the greek tradition, and the same greek name, esdras, was given to. Title even though ezras name does not enter the account of judahs postexilic return to jerusalem until 7.
There is a seventy year period between ii chronicles and ezra while judah was in captivity. The events in the rest of the book happened almost 60 years later in 458 bc. These two books cover three different waves of returning exiles, from 538 to 433 bc. If we compare the last verses of 2 chronicles chap. The second group came with ezra the priest and scribe in 458 bc ezra 7. Ezra, bible prophet amazing bible timeline with world. Book of ezra read, study bible verses online bible study tools. Study guide for ezra 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. Scholars are divided over the chronological sequence of the activities of ezra and nehemiah. The combined work ezra nehemiah is our most important literary source for the formation of the jewish religious community in the province of judah after the babylonian exile. The book of ezra was likely written between 460 and 440 b.
Though the book of 1 esdras has some value for comparative analysis with the. Ezra and nehemiah, books of, two books in the hagiographa i. The free thirtypage printable brings the books to life. Let us pay tribute to ezra who was the first to begin a revival of bible study. The two became separated with the first printed rabbinic bibles of the early 16th century, following late medieval latin christian tradition.
Jiri moskala, author and professor of old testament exegesis and theology at andrews university, also wrote the companion book, ezra and nehemiah, in the bible bookshelf series, available in kindle and paperback format. Ad 400 and our english bible it has been divided into two separate works. Ezra records the events relating to the first two groups, and discusses especially the rebuilding of the temple. The lxx also grouped ezra and nehemiah together as one book calling. Pound started this movement after studying japanese forms of poetry like waka verse and haiku. Nehemiah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary.
Top 5 commentaries on the books of ezra and nehemiah. By taking out this section unto itself and simply reading from ezra 4. Ezra, book ofbible study guides, study guides, bible old. Nehemiah led the third 3rd exodus back to jerusalem, 94 years after zerubbabel 1st exodus of approx. The book of ezra is devoted to events occurring in the land of israel at the time of the return from the babylonian captivity and subsequent years, covering a period of approximately one century, beginning in 538 b. Jan 02, 2020 the book of ezra continues from where 2 chronicles ends, with cyrus, king of persia, issuing a decree that permitted the jews of his kingdom to return to jerusalem after seventy years of captivity. The treatment of ezra nehemiah as a single book by the earliest editors was undoubtedly due to the fact that in ancient times the two books were put under the one name, ezra. The lord rasied up ezra and nehemiah to reestablish the nation by rebuilding the temple and city walls and by turning the people back to his word. Espey 1974, paperback, reprint at the best online prices at ebay. One of our all time favorite winter stories for kids is the snowy day by ezra jack keats. The book of nehemiah jerusalem walls summary overview. Ezra records the first and second returns of the jews to the land of israel. Ezra and nehemiah adult bible study guide 4q 2019 kindle.
Book of ezra overview insight for living ministries. This summary of the book of ezra provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the. The book could not have been completed earlier than about 450 bc the date of the events recorded in 10. This is a historical book of the events occurring after the return from captivity in. This was read by professional storyteller, jim weiss. Many believe that ezra assembled the writing of the old testament for that study. Ezra 1 niv cyrus helps the exiles to return bible gateway.
For example, zechariah saw a woman going through the air in a bushel basket. Ezra pounds contribution to poetry is marked by his promotion of imagism, a movement centered on clarity, economic language, and rhythm. The book of ezra opens with the same wording that closes the book of chronicles 2 chronicles 36. In the lxx, the title ezra is esdras beta the name esdras is a translation equivalent for ezra, and nehemiah is esdras gamma. The last four books of the hebrew canon are ezra, nehemiah, and 1 and 2 chronicles, in that order. Ezra is believed to possibly be the author of the books of the chronicles. At one time, however, ezra and nehemiah followed 1 and 2 chronicles and were generally considered to be the work of one and the same author known as the chronicler. These events are described in the book of nehemiah. Composed in hebrew and aramaic, its subject is the return to zion following the close.
View in pdf format pdf this material is in the public domain. Ezra late fifth and early fourth centuries bce was known for his restoration of the law of moses in the postexilic period and is generally regarded as the founder of judaism literary sources. After discovering that ezra jack keats authored many childrens stories, i chose to create a fun author study. In this 12week study, kathleen nielson shows readers gods mercy and faithfulness demonstrated in the books of ezra and nehemiah, encouraging christians toward sincere repentance and persevering hope.
Ezra, as a priest, was unable to serve during the captivity. In rebuild and renew, we study in chronological order the bible books written in this period the historical books of ezra and nehemiah, and the minor prophets haggai, zechariah, and malachi. Ezra 1 in the first year of cyrus king of persia, in order to fulfill the word of the lord spoken by jeremiah, the lord moved the heart of cyrus king of persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing. Common to the hebrew format for historical records, ezra records a brief synopsis of the commission and subsequent journey, then he elaborates in depth upon the same events. God had blessed ezra and was with him, so the king of persia king artaxerxes gave ezra whatever he needed to make the journey and to rebuild the temple. There are ten direct references to gods word in this little book. Ezra was a devout servant of the lord who made it a point to study and do all that the lord has. They describe events after the exile of judah to babylon. In the first 6 chapters of the book of ezra, we read about the people who returned from exile.
It is a section unto itself, somewhat interrupting the flow of the text from ezra 4. The book covers the period from the fall of babylon in 539 bc to the second half of the 5th century bc, and tells of the successive missions to jerusalem of zerubbabel, ezra, and nehemiah, and. The first four lessons cover ezra, the last four cover nehemiah. Although the books bear different names they follow each other without paragraph and the numeration of the masorah is listed at the end of nehemiah for both books. Ezra and nehemiah adult bible study guide 4q 2019 kindle edition by moskala, jiri. Jerome, writing in the early 5th century, noted that this duplication had since been adopted by greek and latin christians. A 12week study knowing the bible nielson, kathleen, packer, j. The lord, the god of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has.
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