The Book of Ezra continues the where 2 Chronicles leaves off by showing how God fulfills His promise to return His people to the land of promise after seventy years in exile. Ezra relates the story of two returns from Babylon, the first led by Zerubbabel to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 1-6; 538-515 B.C.), and the second, almost 60 years later, under the leadership of Ezra to rebuild the spiritual vitality of the people (Ezra 7-10; 483-473 B.C). During that 60-year gap, it was Queen Esther who served in the Persian court. But more on Esther later.

Ezra, the most likely author of this book, was a godly man marked by a strong faith in God. He exhibited moral integrity and a genuine grief over the sins of his people. He was a contemporary of Nehemiah who arrived in Jerusalem in 444 B.C to rebuild the walls of the City of Jerusalem. The likely time of his writing is between 457 B.C. and the arrival of Nehemiah in 444 B.C.  As a side note, you might be interested to know that during this period in world history, Buddha was teaching in India; Confucius in China; and Socrates in Greece.

The basic theme of Ezra is the restoration of the Temple and the spiritual, moral, and social restoration of the returned remnant in Jerusalem. As a result, Israel’s worship of God was revitalized and the people were renewed in their love for and commitment to the Lord. Although they prospered under pagan kings in both Babylon and then Persia, God protected His remnant and allowed them to return to their homeland. God also kept His promise by raising up capable and godly leaders who oversaw their return and guided them in the ways of the LORD.

There are two portions of Scripture that I feel are incredibly significant for us today. The first has to do with the heart of a leader, a leader whom God can use for His purposes and for His glory. The leader God raised up was, of course, Ezra himself. Let’s look at the first thing Ezra did when he arrived in Jerusalem after a four month journey from Babylon,

“For Ezra set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10).

God can and will use anyone who is committed to God’s Word, to not only learn it, but to also practice it, and then to pass the knowledge gained on to others. This laid the foundation for Ezra’s ministry amongst God people. But then comes a portion of the text that is incredibly significant and precious. It happens to be Ezra’s prayer of confession to God on behalf of His people. It is a prayer that committed followers of Jesus can pray regarding their own nation today. Ezra remembered the grievous sins of the nation that led them into captivity decades earlier, and with his robe torn, he fell on his knees and stretched out his hands to the LORD and said,

“O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to Thee, my God, for our iniquities have risen above our heads, and our guilt has grown even to the heavens. Since the days of our fathers to this day we have been in great guilt, and on account of our iniquities we, including our kings and our priests, have been given into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to plunder, and to open shame, as it is to this day” (Ezra 9:6-7).

But now, look how Ezra continues his prayer, no longer focusing on the sins of the nation and the devastating results those sins caused, but upon the grace and goodness of God,

“But now for a brief moment grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us an escaped remnant and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our bondage. For we are slaves, yet in our bondage, our God has not forsaken us, but has extended His lovingkindness to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us reviving to raise up the house of our God, to restore its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem” (Ezra 9:8-9).

In spite of their situation in a foreign land, God extended His grace through a Persian king to allow a remnant to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. With the foundation laid, Ezra was moved to consider what God had done amongst His people.

I would like to encourage each of us to recognize the grace of God in our lives in spite of any adverse circumstances that we may be facing. It may require us to confess our sins to God, recognizing that our choices have gotten us into messes that we had no idea would be waiting for us. But then let’s remember that God is ready and willing to extend His grace to us, which He will do in response to our heartfelt confession of sin. He always does! So, if confession is needed, then just “do it,” and then wait expectantly for God’s grace and goodness to overwhelm you. May God’s blessings rest upon each of you.