A Study through Ezra by John M. Duvall 1
Introduction While Ezra is not specifically mentioned as the author, certain factors make him the best candidate. Jewish tradition credits Ezra with writing the book. Chapters 7:28-9:15 are written in the first person after Ezra arrives on the scene. The book is written in much detail, as if written by an author who had first hand experience. The book of Ezra covers from approximately 538 B.C. Cyrus the Persian s overthrew Babylon in 539 B.C. About a year later, Cyrus issues the decree to allow the Israelites to return and rebuild the temple of the Lord. The book of Ezra ends after the second group returns to Jerusalem around 458 B.C. The first group of captives return to Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel. (1:1-2:17) The people rebuild the temple. (3:1-6:22) The second group of captives return to Jerusalem under the leadership of Ezra. (7:1-8:36) The people of God repent of their sins committed in Babylon. They make a covenant with the Lord. (9:1-10:44) 2
Chapter 1 1. Who prophesied the Lord would stir up the spirit of Cyrus King of Persia? 2. Explain King Cyrus decree as seen in verses 2-4. 3. According to verse 5, how were people chosen to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the house of the Lord? 4. What did King Cyrus send with the returning Jews? 5. Fill in the following: a. king of Persia. b. the treasurer. c. the prince of Judah. 3
Chapter 2 1. Who led the first group of captives to Jerusalem and Judah? 2. Fill in the following numbers: a. of the people of Parosh. b. of the people of Bezai. c. of the people of Anathoth d. of the sons of Immer e. of the sons of Harim 3. Who of the Levites returned with the first group? 4. Who were excluded from the priesthood? 5. What was the number of the whole assembly? 4
Chapter 3 1. In what month did the children of Israel gather together as one man to Jerusalem? 2., the son of Jozadak. 3., the son of Shealtiel. 4. Feast of. 5. Why did the priests build first the altar of God? 6. What day of what month did the people begin to offer burnt offerings to the Lord? 7. When did the people begin work on the house of the Lord? 8. Describe the people s reaction to the foundation of the temple being laid. 5
Chapter 4 1. What did the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin offer to do? 2. Why did the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin hire counselors? 3. During the reign of what king did the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin write a letter of accusations against the Israelites? 4. In what language was the letter received by Artaxerxes king of Persia written? 5. In the letter sent to Artaxerxes, what did the accusers say would happen if the Israelites succeeded in rebuilding the city and its walls? 6. How did King Artaxerxes reply to the accusers request? 7. How long would the work on the temple be discontinued? 6
Chapter 5 1. What two prophets did God send to Israel? 2. What did Zerubbabel and Jeshua begin to do? 3. Whose eye was upon the elders of the Jews? 4. Who sent a letter to King Darius inquiring about the work on the temple which the people had resumed? 5. When questioned, who did the Jews say had given them a decree to build the house of God? 6. What did the letter sent to King Darius request the king to do? 7
Chapter 6 1. Where did King Darius find the record containing King Cyrus decree? 2. What order did King Darius issue to Tattenai, Shethar-Boznai, and the Persians who were beyond the River? 3. King Darius issued a decree regarding how the temple would be paid for. Who was to help with the cost of building the temple? 4. What would happen to the person who would alter the edict of King Darius? 5. When was the temple of the Lord completed? 6. At the dedication of the house of God how many rams were offered? 7. At the dedication of the house of God what was offered as a sin offering for all of Israel? 8. What did the Israelites keep on the fourteenth day of the first month? 8
Chapter 7 1. During the reign of which king did Ezra come up from Babylon? 2. In what year of this same king did another group of Israelites travel to Jerusalem? 3. When did Ezra begin his journey to Jerusalem? 4. What did Ezra complete his journey to Babylon? 5. What had Ezra prepared his heart to do? 6. King Artaxerxes authorized Ezra to set magistrates and judges over all the people beyond the River. What were these magistrates and judges to do? 7. What would happen to the person who did not observe the law of God and the law of the king? 9
Chapters 8 & 9 1. When Ezra looked among the people gathered by the river, what was he unable to find? 2. Why did Ezra proclaim a fast there at the river of Ahava? 3. Why was Ezra ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen? 4. After arriving in Jerusalem, what was weighed in the house of God? 5. The leaders told Ezra that the people of Israel had done what with the inhabitants of the land while in captivity? 6. What did Ezra do when he heard about the sin of Israel? 10
Chapter 10 1. Who gathered around Ezra while he was praying and bowing down before the house of God? 2. What covenant did the people of Israel make with God after confessing their sin of taking pagan wives? 3. When Ezra and the leaders called all the descendants of the captivity together at Jerusalem, what would happen to those who did not come within three days? 4. On what day of the ninth month did the people gather together? 5. At this gathering, why were the people trembling? 6. What did the people agree to do regarding their pagan wives and children? 11