A New Phase of Restoration Begins Ezra chapter 7 marks a significant shift in the book’s narrative. There is a gap of nearly six decades between the end of chapter 6 and the beginning of chapter 7. The temple has been rebuilt and dedicated, but the spiritual and social life of the people in Judah […]

The Royal Search for Truth Ezra chapter 6 marks a significant turning point in the post-exilic history of Israel. The opposition that halted the temple’s reconstruction in previous chapters is met with divine intervention through a pagan king. This chapter details the search for and discovery of Cyrus the Great’s original decree, King Darius’s subsequent

The Prophetic Encouragement and the Resumption of Work (Ezra 5:1-5) Ezra 5:1-2 Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the prophet, a descendant of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem. They prophesied in the name of the God of Israel. Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak responded. They began

The Opposition from the Adversaries (Ezra 4:1-5) Ezra 4:1-3 When the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of families. They said to them, “Let us build with you. We worship your God just as you

Rebuilding the Altar and Resuming Worship (Ezra 3:1-6) Ezra 3:1-3 When the seventh month came, and the Israelites had settled in their towns, the people gathered in Jerusalem. They gathered as one person. Then Jeshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his associates, began to build the altar

Ezra 2 records the detailed census of Jewish exiles who returned from Babylonian captivity under Zerubbabel’s leadership to rebuild Jerusalem and restore temple worship. This chapter demonstrates God’s faithfulness in preserving His covenant people through exile while documenting the families, clans, and religious personnel who participated in the restoration community. The narrative emphasizes divine providence,

The Decree of King Cyrus (Ezra 1:1-4) Ezra 1:1-2 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah was fulfilled. The Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia. He made a proclamation throughout his kingdom. He also put it in writing. He said, “This is

The Short-Lived Reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim (2 Chronicles 36:1-8) 2 Chronicles 36:1-4 The people of the land took Josiah’s son Jehoahaz and made him king in Jerusalem. He was twenty-three years old when he became king. He reigned in Jerusalem for three months. The king of Egypt, Necho, dethroned him in Jerusalem. He imposed

The Great Passover Celebration (2 Chronicles 35:1-19) 2 Chronicles 35:1-6 Josiah celebrated the Passover to the Lord in Jerusalem. The Passover lamb was slaughtered on the fourteenth day of the first month. He appointed the priests to their duties. He encouraged them in the service of the temple of the Lord. He said to the

The Early Reign of Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:1-7) 2 Chronicles 34:1-2 Josiah became king when he was eight years old. He ruled in Jerusalem for thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He walked in the ways of his father David. He did not