[He. Ezra “helper”]
Background: Follows 2Ch.. King Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to Israel and rebuild the Jerusalem Temple. In ch3-6, we learn that initially the altar was rebuilt and sacrifices resumed but opposition halted temple rebuilding for many yrs before completed and dedicated. Later,(7-10) Ezra, an expert on the Jewish law, was sent from Babylon to help and guide the newly established community. The main problem was that the Jews were intermarrying with other nations, threatening national identity. 10chs
Author: Ezra, 7:28;8, 9
*First hand knowledge of many events in both books
*Ezra-Ne bears marked similarities to Chr. And there is strong traditional support for Ezra authorizing Chr.
*Most conservative scholars believe an unknown “Chronicler” may have been the final editor of Ezra ,Ne and Chr.
Date and Location: Ezra-Ne events covers 93yrs; compilation was probably completed in 430BC in Jerusalem.
Recipients: Jews return from Babylon; Represent all 12 tribes
Purpose:
^Reassures returning exiles that God would keep his covenant, “hope for Israel”, 10: 2
^Demonstrate the power of Prayer (9,10Ne10) and importance of the Word of God during crisis
^Showing what can happen when just one person (Ezra, Nehemiah respectively) takes a stand for the Lord
Unique Features:
*Stories of ministry partnerships such as Aaron-Moses; Elijah-Elisha; Ezra-Ne tells of 3:Zerubbabel-Jeshua; Haggai-Zechariah; Ezra-Nehemiah
*Ezra, one of the last OT authors and the first of the the Jewish scribes who would preserve the OT canon.
*Ezra is one of two books that have Aramaic ,a sister language of Hebrew. The other is Da.
Comparison:
Ezra-Ne-Ch Ezra’s involvement with all 4 books is suggest by these similarities
^Both contains many lists
^Last 2 verses of 2Ch36:22,23 to first 3 verses of Ezra
^Similar expression “the house of God”
^Levites and temple assistants are prominent
Ezra-Ne-Haggai
*Compairing the new temple with the former Temple of Solomon, 3:12Hg2:3
*Speak of the guidance of the spirit of God, Ne9:20
*speak of God instilling an enthusiasm in the returning exiles, 1:5Hg1:14
Abbreviations: Ezr
MV: You put it in your heart, Ps37:31
Bib1Yr: Micah, Nahum
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