Ezra & Nehemiah – Bible Overview
The books of Ezra & Nehemiah pick up where 2 Chronicles ends (compare 2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4). They record Israel’s return from Babylonian exile and the restoration of Jerusalem.
The return to Judah unfolded in three phases. First, Zerubbabel led a group, then Ezra another, and finally, Nehemiah the third. A clear pattern emerges across these phases and the men who led them. Each one:
- had a distinct, yet unrelated position and purpose in their phase of the return;
- received authority from a Persoan king who acknowledged God and recognized Jerusalem’s importance to His people;
- faced challenges in the commission of their duties;
- had opponents rise up against them adding further difficulty to their mission.
Zerubbabel (Ezra 1-6) served as a political leader whom King Cyrus of Persia sent to oversee the rebuilding of the temple of God. He would serve as the first governor of the province of Judah. Zerubbabel was charged with keeping order, keeping the people motivated, and keeping the work going.
He faced several challenges in the reconstruction process of the temple. Among them, a 16 year pause because of opposition leaders in and around the land. When the people finally completed the temple, they held a dedication ceremony similar to those described in Exodus 40 (the tabernacle) and 1 Kings 8 (Solomon’s temple). Although some Gentiles asked to participate in the rebuilding, Zerubbabel refused their involvement, declaring, “You may do nothing with us to build a house for our God” (Ezra 4:3).
Ezra (Ezra 7-10) functioned as a priest and spiritual leader. God used him to restore proper worship in Judah according to the Law of Moses. King Artaxerxes, the grandson of Cyrus, commissioned Ezra to lead this second return. Obviously, Ezra knew the Law well and devoted himself to teaching it to the people.
Sadly, Ezra discovered many of the returned exiles had intermarried with Gentiles. Not only that, but the problem extended beyond the common people and deeply affected Israel’s leaders. As a result, Ezra found himself opposed by those whose actions “added to the guilt of Israel” (Ezra 10:10).
Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1-7) did not take up politics as Zerubbabel did, nor was he a spiritual leader, at least not in the capacity which Ezra was. Instead, he acted as a practical leader tasked with rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall. King Artaxerxes authorized his mission after Nehemiah, who served as the king’s cupbearer, personally requested permission to return and oversee the project.
Regional pagan governors posed serious challenges to Nehemiah’s work. Specifically, Sanballat, Tobiah, and Gershem repeatedly opposed the rebuilding effort. Nehemiah firmly defended the work adn warned them, “…you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem” (Nehemiah 2:20).
The books begin with hope. The people rebuilt what had been broken down. A new temple, a renewed focus on the law, and a new city wall to secure and restore the city to a portion of it’s former glory. Despite the challenges faced, it seemed things were headed in the right direction. In Nehemiah 8-12, there was a 7-day festival focused on reading the Law. They observed the feast of Tabernacles, they reaffirmed the covenant and celebrated their commitment to God.
Chapter 13, however, reveals a sobering reversal. The people neglected the temple and misused the storehouses, undermining Zerubbabel’s work. Further, they profaned the Sabbath and continued intermarrying with pagans, reversing Ezra’s reforms. Nehemiah confronted Sabbath violations directly by ordering the city gates closed to prevent merchants from trading. Much to Nehemiah’s chagrin, the merchants lodged outside the wall rather than observe the Sabbath. The book began with hope, it ends with disappointment.
Next week we continue with Esther…
Links: YouVersion | GROW magazine
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