The Writings of Ezra

This book picks up where 2 Chronicles finishes.  God is not done telling his story.  Ezra, a priest, is noted as the author but what is important is that God is writing to His people with a specific purpose in mind.  God loves His people and is giving them an opportunity to build their nation. He is giving them a chance to follow Him again.

Ezra records how God worked through other nations to give Israel a chance to be God’s nation again.  He tells of the difficulties and challenges in rebuilding the Temple. This story is important to the Jews and to people today. The Temple of God is important as it represents the presence of God in Israel. It is their place of worship but more than that it is a statement Israel makes that they are a nation who belongs to God.

The Israelites struggle in their work.  They are distracted by the desire to rebuild their lives. They want to plant their farms and build their lives, so the Temple takes second place in their priorities. God takes second place and Ezra speaks to them about this situation.

Often stories in the Old Testament include longs lists of people.  Why? God is showing generations to come that these stories are not myths. They are not made up.  These are real people in real situations. These are real leaders with real lives. These are actual events and people just like today. Although this took place hundreds and hundreds of years ago, the events are very real.

Sometimes Old Testament books take time to read.  But its important not to skip over sections because they are so different from life today. Think of the people, their lives and families, their hearts and minds.  See yourself in that situation. How would you handle it? What would you say? How would you respond to the message of Ezra?  See yourself in these stories and discover the lesson God has for you.