Author: gregsloop

Ezra, the author of this book, takes an active role in the story in this passage.  During the reign of Artaxerxes, Ezra is commissioned to go to Jerusalem and beautify the temple that has been built for Jehovah God, or the God of heaven, as Artaxerxes addresses him.  It is explained that Ezra is a … Continue reading Ezra Goes to Jerusalem (Ezra 7:1 – 28)

On the fourteenth day of the first month, the descendants of the captivity kept the Passover.  The priests and Levites had purified themselves and were clean.  They slaughtered the Passover lambs for the people and themselves.  All who were clean ate the Passover together, and kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy; … Continue reading The Passover Celebration Restored (Ezra 6:19 – 22)

When the search for the decree of Cyrus turned up the charge, Darius confirmed it and even issued an additional decree.  Whereas Cyrus decreed to allow the Jews to rebuild their temple, supply all the money and materials for it, and for the governor in the area to support them, Darius further decreed that anyone … Continue reading Darius’ Decree and the Completion of the Temple (Ezra 6:1 – 18)

King Cyrus of Persia, the new power kingdom in the Middle East during the time of the writing of Ezra, had defeated Babylon.  He then decreed that the Jews return to Israel, specifically Jerusalem, and rebuild their temple.  This had upset the power structure in Jerusalem which had developed in the time between Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian … Continue reading The Persian Kings (Ezra 4:6 – 5:17)

Five months after the altar was rebuilt and feasts were first observed, the people of God, under the leadership of Zerubbabel, assigned the Levites to oversee the work of the house of the Lord, and the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord.  This was a momentous beginning, and the priests stood … Continue reading Joy and Resistance (Ezra 3:8 – 4:5)

This passage begins by listing the names of all the people of Israel and Judah who returned to Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel.  They did a census of who was returning, and researched everyone's lineage to determine who would serve as priests and Levites.  They restored the use of the Urim and Thummim to … Continue reading The Return to Jerusalem (Ezra 2:1 – 3:7)

Cyrus king of Persia recognized the power and worth of the God of Israel.  He was commanded by God to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.  He called for people from Judah to go back to Jerusalem to carry out the task.  He encouraged those living around them to give them silver and gold, goods and … Continue reading The Beginning of Restoration (Ezra 1)