Maple St. Church of Christ

Overview Of the Book of Ezra-Ezra 7:10 (ESV): For Ezra had set his heart to study the
Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel

Date- Between 456 and 440 BC
Ezra was a direct descendant of Aaron the chief priest (7:1–5), thus he was a priest and scribe in
his own right. His zeal for God and God’s Law spurred Ezra to lead a group of Jews back to
Israel during King Artaxerxes’s reign over the Persian Empire (which had since replaced the
Babylonian Empire that originally exiled the people of Judah)
The book of Ezra records two separate time periods directly following the seventy years of
Babylonian captivity. 
Ezra 1–6 covers the first return of Jews from captivity, led by Zerubbabel—a period of twenty-
three years beginning with the edict of Cyrus of Persia and ending at the rebuilding of the temple
in Jerusalem (538–515 BC). 
Ezra 7–10 picks up the story more than sixty years later, when Ezra led the second group of
exiles to Israel (458 BC). 
In the book of Ezra, we witness the rebuilding of the new temple, the unification of the returning
tribes as they shared common struggles and were challenged to work together. Later, after the
original remnant had stopped work on the city walls and spiritual apathy ruled, Ezra arrived with
another two thousand people and sparked a spiritual revival. By the end of the book, Israel had
renewed its covenant with God and had begun acting in obedience to Him.
Ezra also contains one of the great intercessory prayers of the Bible (Ezra 9:5–15; see Daniel
9 and Nehemiah 9 for others). His leadership proved crucial to the Jews’ spiritual advancement.
God moved the hearts of secular rulers (Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes) to allow, even encourage
and help, the Jewish people to return home. He used these unlikely allies to fulfill His promises
of restoration for His chosen people. Notice chapter 1:1- Cyrus says that God moved him to let
His people go back to the land. He was acting under God’s direction, even though he was still
basically a polygamist, God used him to finance the work of rebuilding and his successors after
him. God can take anyone with any character (or lack of it) and accomplish His purposes all
without taking over their free will. God truly does rule and work in the affairs of men as He told
Nebuchadnezzar very well. Notice Romans 8:28 in connection with this point.
Ezra begins where 2 Chronicles ends and covers a period of about 100 years. During this time
the people of Judah return to their land and rebuild the temple which was destroyed by
Nebuchadnezzar. Following this Ezra brings about reform and there is a spiritual revival in the
land.
Short Outline of the book- The first group returns under Zerubbabel- 1:1-2:70

The temple is rebuilt- 3:1-6:22
Ezra returns to Jerusalem- 7:1-10:44
Notice in this study that Isaiah 44 and 45 mentions Cyrus by name over 100 years before he was
born.
REPENT- REBUILD-REDEDICATE- RESTORATION-RETURN-REVIVE- REPENT. These
are the constant subjects that are dealt with in Ezra. Ezra brought the second group and was
mainly responsible for the spiritual rebuilding of the obedience to the law and the love of the
people for God’s Word. Zerubbabel led the first group back to rebuild the temple, and Nehemiah
came with more later to rebuild the walls of the city that were started but never finished because
the people became concerned with their own personal dwellings.
Ezra-Nehemiah records three returns to the Promised Land following the exile. The first return
was led by two men – Zerubbabel, the grandson of the Jehoiakim, the final king of Israel, and
Jeshua, the grandson of the final high priest of the first temple. The primary aim of the first
return was to restore the temple. The temple project proved to be a long and arduous process.
The Israelites were opposed by local officials and other peoples of the land, a diplomatic battle
ensued, and the Israelites became idle, so it took some time for the temple to be completed (Ezra
4-6). Upon completion the temple was dedicated (6:13-18) and the Passover and Feast of the
Unleavened Bread celebrated (6:19-22), linking the return from exile to the exodus from Egypt.
The second return of exiles to the Promised Land was led by Ezra, several decades after the
temple was rebuilt. Ezra returned under the authorization of a new Persian king, Artaxerxes, to
restore the religious structure of Israel. Ezra’s return was filled with prayer, fasting, and reliance
on God. He taught the people, called them to be pure, and took drastic measures to purge the
Israelites of pagan influences, including instituting a mandatory divorce of all pagan women
(Ezra 9-10).
Ezra was followed by Nehemiah, the cup-bearer to Artaxerxes, who was given authorization to
rebuild Jerusalem, specifically the wall (ch.1). Like Zerubbabel and Jeshua before him,
Nehemiah met significant challenges. He, and the Jews, were mocked (2:19), received angry
threats (4:1), and were conspired against by local officials and other peoples of the land (6:1-14).
But “the people had a mind to work” (4:6) and the wall of Jerusalem was rebuilt in 52 days
(6:15-19) and dedicated to God. In addition to organizing the reconstruction of the wall,
Nehemiah initiated social and religious reforms.
Zerubbabel is the Messianic hint in Ezra-Nehemiah. His presence subtly informs the reader that
the line of David has not been extinguished by the exile. Zerubbabel is listed in the genealogy of
the Christ recorded in Matthew 1.
It is impressive to see God’s faithfulness to his covenant with his people throughout the Old
Testament. He always keeps his promises – blessing obedience, cursing disobedience. The exile

was a result of the people’s unfaithfulness, but God remained faithful. Ezra-Nehemiah records
the fulfillment of God’s promise to return a remnant to the Promised Land following the exile.
God is gracious. His “good hand” is said to be working in the events of the post-exile, behind the
scenes and in the hearts of people, even those who are not his.
Shecaniah: Unassuming righteous man who fell into sin with others and is ready to step up and
put aside his sin and encourage Ezra to do what it takes to bring the people to repentance. He
does not let Ezra stand alone. Read a little about him before we get to chapter 10.
In Ezra 10, after rebuilding the temple, restoring the Passover, and contending with a wide
variety of adversaries, Ezra was worn out and discouraged. The people were distracted and
dangerously close to slipping into the old patterns of behavior that had led to the exile of their
forefathers. And Ezra had reached the end of his rope.
"While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of
God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children gathered to him out of Israel, for the
people wept bitterly. And Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, of the sons of Elam, addressed Ezra: 'We
have broken faith with our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land,
but even now there is hope for Israel in spite of this. Therefore, let us make a covenant with our
God to put away all these wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of
those who tremble at the commandment of our God, and let it be done according to the Law.
Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it'" (Ezra 10:1-4).
Ezra has a book of the Bible named after him. Shecaniah doesn’t. Ezra was known by
Artaxerxes, king of Persia. Shecaniah wasn’t. Ezra is remembered for standing before a great
assembly of people, reading the Book of the Law of Moses for hours, and leading a multitude to
repentance and restoration. Shecaniah isn’t. But Ezra 10 documents a dark day. A deep valley.
Ezra was bitterly weeping, with a tear-streamed face to the ground. And Shecaniah was there to
help.
“Shecaniah was honest about the current predicament. He didn’t gloss over the mess. He didn’t
downplay the seriousness of the situation. He didn’t point fingers. He didn’t cast the blame as far
away from himself as he could. Notice the pronouns. “We have broken faith with our God.”
He shared the gift of optimism and perspective with Ezra. “Even now there is hope.”
He challenged Ezra. “Arise.”
He reminded Ezra. “It is your task.”
He strengthened Ezra with the blessing of fellowship. “We are with you.”
He inspired Ezra. “Be strong and do it.”
Then Ezra arose and Israel was motivated to take the next right step.

Your name might not be known by the masses. Your reputation may not open the doors of power.
Your biography probably won’t be written. But you can make a real difference today by following
in Shecaniah’s footsteps. Just look around. Who is worn out? Spent in the service of others?
Maybe a little discouraged? Close to the end of their rope?
How could you serve as a refreshment to their souls?
Optimism. Perspective. Encouragement. A reminder. Strength. Fellowship. Inspiration. Those are
the gifts Shecaniah gave on that tough day in Ezra 10.
In a darkened world full of discouragement, self-centeredness, and pessimism, be a Shecaniah.”-
---source unknown---
Ezra 3:1-6- Handling their fears of the people round about them, the first thing they do is build
the altar to offer sacrifice to God. They do not build the altar only because they think they have
to. Rather, worship is the means of not only praising God but imploring the favor of God. We
gather in worship because we are asking God to be with us, to help us, to give us favor, to bless
us, and help us succeed in his work. Church has been turned into a selfish, what do I get out of
this pursuit. But that is not its purpose. This is our time together to implore and plead with God
together. What we need when we are afraid is worship. What we need when life is hard is
worship. What we need when times are dark is worship. What we need when we look to restart
our lives is worship. When these people in Ezra 3 embark on this project and they fear the
people, they do not retreat but realize they need to worship. Worship is how they are going to
access God and his help. We handle fear through worship.
In chapter 3:1-10- The people were intent on Seeking God’s Ways. They praised God according
to the directions God had given so many before them. They Sought God properly in their
worship and in their lives. They consulted the law.
In 3:8-13- They respond to God. When the worker laid the temple foundation, the people began
to praise the Lord in song perhaps bringing to memory Psalm 100. “For He is good and His
steadfast love endures forever.” Things are looking up for God’s people. Certainly, there will
be no challenges now---but wait---Here comes the resistance in chapter 4. Satan is always busy
trying to undermine our efforts for good, and he does not fight fair. We must ever be cautious
and watchful of anything may come into our midst to thwart every effort for good. We cannot be
ignorant of his devices.
Ezra 3 ends on such a high note. The people rise up, even though they are afraid, and lay the
foundation of the temple. The work is underway. The people are rejoicing. Some are shouting for
joy and others are shouting with tears as they experience God in this moment, praising him as
God is making it possible to return to him. When you get going with God and get going forward
in the work, you would want and hope that it would be smooth sailing. But that is not going to be

the case for these people who have sacrificed so much to return to Jerusalem and begin work on
building the temple. Instead, we are going to see the rise of the resistance in chapter 4.
4:1-3- Hidden Resistance- The first picture of resistance may not seem like resistance at all. A
bunch of people in the land come to Zerubbabel and the heads of the families asking to help
build the temple because they also seek and worship the same God. Sounds good to have more
help building the temple. But notice the response of Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the heads of the
families in verse 3. They tell them that they have no part in this work. We alone will build to the
Lord. Why would they reject the help of the surrounding people? This is an important question
because as we go through Ezra and Nehemiah, we are going to see times when the surrounding
people are helping and times when they are not allowed to help. So, what is going on?
Verse 1 says that these people are enemies of Judah and Benjamin. I think this is important to
observe. What these people are saying is not truthful. They are not really here to help. They are
actually enemies. Second, what these people say to the heads of Judah and Benjamin is telling.
Look again at what they say in verse 2. They say that they have been sacrificing to God ever
since the time when the king of Assyrian brought these people here. Now this might sound like a
positive attribute. But if we go back into the scriptures, we will see that this is a negative
declaration that helps the people know that they are enemies and cannot be allowed into the
work.
In 2 Kings 17:24-41 we see the king of Assyrian removing the northern nation, Israel, from the
land and moving other people from other nations into this land. These people were given
directions on fearing the Lord (17:28). But it does not lead the people to worship God in the way
he wanted. Verses 33-34 reads, “So they feared the Lord but also served their own gods, after
the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away. To this day they
do according to the former manner. They do not fear the LORD, and they do not follow the
statutes or the rules or the law or the commandment that the LORD commanded the
children of Jacob, whom he named Israel.” (2 Kings 17:33-34 ESV) Noticed that the problem
with these people is clearly stated. They seem to fear the Lord but they really do not. They just
added the Lord to their worship and serving of other gods. So, they are not really for the Lord,
but look the part. They are enemies of the Lord and of the work.
The second way these people were experiencing resistance from doing the work was through
discouragement and fear. Notice in Ezra 4: 4 that the people then discouraged the people from
doing the work and made them afraid to build. They did everything they could to frustrate the
plans of the people to build the temple. You can imagine what the discouragement would look
like as they tried to thwart their plans to build. You cannot do this. You do not have enough
money or resources. The work is too great. The work will be too hard. The work will never
succeed. You might as well quit while you are ahead. There are all kinds of ways that people can
hurl discouragement so that people are demoralized and stop doing the work. Plant seeds of
doubt and fear into the people and watch their fervor wane. This is what the surrounding people

are doing. Notice in Ezra 4:5 that we are told that this discouragement and fear did not go on for
a couple of days or for a few weeks. To continue to the reign of Darius means that this
discouragement was going on for 16 years. The people will experience 16 years of other people
making them afraid, making them discouraged, and frustrating their plan.
Government Resistance- 4:6-22. The third way these people experienced resistance was from
their own government. There is an interesting way that God shows us this truth. In verse 6 we
are time warping forward 50 years to the reign of Ahasuerus (Xerxes). Notice that the enemies
send accusations against the people of Judah and Jerusalem. In verse 7 we time warp forward
further 20 more years to see the accusations that were written under King Artaxerxes of Persia.
The enemies send a letter to King Artaxerxes declaring that if these people finish the
work, “They will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired
(4:13). Further, they are called “A rebellious city, hurtful to kings and provinces, and that
sedition was stirred up in it from old. That is why this city was laid waste” (4:15).
The enemies now use the government to put a stop to the work that they are doing. During two
different reigns, these enemies used the government as a way to threaten the people from doing
the work. Those enemies were successful in bringing the government against them. In verse 21
the king makes a decree to stop the work and that the city is not to be rebuilt unless the king
himself makes a decree to do so. The law is given that the people must stop. The government of
Persia now stands in their way from completing the work.
Lessons learned? Hopefully we can apply these points to us today and see that Jesus was very
clear that doing His work will result in resistance. The world will hate us, but it hated before it
hated us (Jn. 15:8). We cannot stop working because it is hard. We cannot delay working for a
more peaceful season. The work must continue even when we are discouraged, when we are
spiritually winded and when we feel like we want to quit. These are tactics of Satan that he uses
to take down the best of God’s soldiers and tempt them to fold up, give up and go away. But we
are better than that and we need to know that is will all be worth it when we bask in the eternal
glory of heaven one day. All the trials of this life will seem as nothing when we get to the end of
our way and wake up in glory on the other side.
Ezra 4 concludes with these words. “Then the work on the house of God that is in Jerusalem
stopped, and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia”
(4:24). The people and leaders of the land are discouraging the people from building and are
frustrating their plans (4:4-5). For 16 years the people stop working on the temple. Ezra 5:1 tells
us that Haggai and Zechariah were prophets sent by God. We spent the last few lessons looking
at Haggai’s message. Haggai told the people that they must make the Lord their priority. It is not
time to worry about your houses. It is time to put the Lord and his house first. Further, God told
them that he would bless them if they would make the temple their priority. Ezra 5:2 tells us that
the leaders and people responded to the prophets’ messages. They rise up and began to rebuild
the house of God in Jerusalem.

Resisting the Resistance, Ezra 5:5-17-Now God wants us to see that the circumstances had not
changed even though 16 years had gone by. God wants us to see that it was not that the resistance
had stopped but the people chose not to get back to work. When we read verse 3, we see that the
governor of this region along with his associates came to Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the people and
ask them who told them that they could do this. Who gave you a decree to build this house? Who
said you can do this? If this was not frightening enough, look at verse 4. They are going to start
taking their names also. This is when you know you are in a lot of trouble. Who said you could
do this? Now give me your names. He is not asking for names to get to know them. He is asking
for names to report those names back to the king of Persia. You are in trouble now.
Now God wants us to see that the circumstances had not changed even though 16 years had gone
by. God wants us to see that it was not that the resistance had stopped but the people chose not to
get back to work. When we read verse 3, we see that the governor of this region along with his
associates came to Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the people and ask them who told them that they
could do this. Who gave you a decree to build this house? Who said you can do this? If this was
not frightening enough, look at verse 4. They are going to start taking their names also. This is
when you know you are in a lot of trouble. Who said you could do this? Now give me your
names. He is not asking for names to get to know them. He is asking for names to report those
names back to the king of Persia. You are in trouble now.
We are God’s servants.
Notice that the people’s first response is that they are servants of the God of heaven and earth.
The first answer is not that they are Persians or Judeans. Nor do they call themselves servants of
King Darius. We are God’s servants. The implied message is that we must serve the God of
heaven and earth first. God is the ultimate authority for our work. Who gave us permission to do
the work on the temple? The God of heaven and earth gave us permission to do the work. In
short, we must obey God rather than people. Our allegiance is first to the work of the Lord.
Therefore, the response was that “We are building the house that was built many years ago.”
But notice that there is no tone of defiance or aggression. The answer is very simple. We must do
this work because we are the servants of God. We must do the work given to us. In fact, you will
notice in verse 12 that they state the reason for the temple’s destruction was because they had
angered the Lord.
CHECK THE RECORDS- Appeal to their rights.
Only after declaring their allegiance to God and the need to do the work for Him do they then
appeal to the decree made by Cyrus over 16 years earlier. In verse 13 they state that Cyrus told us
that we can do this work. Cyrus gave the decree and gave us the vessels to put in the temple.
Then the foundation was laid but the work is not yet finished. After saying that they have to do
this work because they are servants of God, then they say that they also are allowed to do the
work because of the decree made by Cyrus. Again, you will notice that there is nothing ugly or

defiant in their words. There is nothing ungodly or inflammatory. They just explain why they
must do the work they are doing. The chapter ends with the words of the opponents asking for a
search of the royal archives to see if these things are true
Ezra 6: 1-22- Setting the tone for the future.
King Darius makes the decree for a search of the royal archives to be made. They find in the
records that Cyrus did make this decree (6:3-5). So, notice what happens in verse 6. King Darius
tells Tatania the governor and the other rulers of the land to keep away from their work on the
temple. Let the work be done on this house of God (6:7). But there is even more. In verse 8 the
king decrees for the leaders of the land to help them financially to rebuild the temple. Further,
they need to give them whatever they need to make sacrifices to the God of heaven. Darius
even places a curse on anyone who alters his decree and asks God to overthrow anyone who
tries to destroy the house of God in Jerusalem.
What a complete reversal! The opposition was trying to get the work to stop. But their efforts
cause the work to be more easily completed. In verse 14 we read that they were able to finish the
temple just a few years later. The people celebrated as the temple dedication and offered animals
as a sin offering for the people at the dedication. With the temple complete, the people are able to
restore temple worship (6:18) and are able to keep the Passover (6:19-21).
LESSONS LEARNED- So what is God trying to teach us? What did God show these people?
The first major point is this. What looked like an opportunity for fear and to quit was actually the
path to success. How easy is it for us to look at our hardships and difficulties as a reason to fear
and a reason to quit the work! It is exactly what these people had done for 16 years. They had
given up on the work because of the resistance. The government was against them. The people of
the land were discouraging them. Yet the hardship was the pathway for success. The people just
had to work past the difficulty to find success. The temptation is to stop at the hardship and not
press through it. God wanted them to work through the opposition and by doing so they would
find success.
Not only did they find success, but there was greater help ahead of them to do the work if they
would push through the resistance. The people who resisted them now had to become the people
who assisted them. God had reversed their opponents so that they were supporters. I will keep
delivering to you this encouraging message: God can reverse your condition. Look at Ezra 6:22.
The Lord had made the people joyful. The people have gone from being discouraged by the
surrounding people to be encouraged and joyful. But look at what else God had done. The Lord
had turned the heart of the king of Assyria. Now people get upset about this and think this is an
error because we have been talking about the king of Persia and that Persia is the world empire at
the time. But this is not an error. This is a powerful theological declaration. Assyria was the first
nation to attack and take captive the people of Israel. Babylon was the next nation to attack and
take people captive. Assyria represents any world nation or power that stands against God’s

people. The point that is being made is that the disposition of the world nations (Assyria,
Babylon, and Persia) was to be against God’s people. But now God had turned the heart of the
king so now the world power is for them and is not resisting them.
The text makes clear what happened. The Lord turned the heart of the king. This is what the
writer of Proverbs says about the Lord.
The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he
will. (Proverbs 21:1 ESV)
Listen to what God said to Nebuchadnezzar after he had arrogantly proclaimed that Babylon was
because of his own power and majesty.
While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: “King
Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared that the kingdom has departed from you. You will be
driven away from people to live with the wild animals, and you will feed on grass like cattle
for seven periods of time, until you acknowledge that the Highest is ruler over human
kingdoms, and he gives them to anyone he wants.” (Daniel 4:31–32 CSB)
God is the one who can change the heart of a king, ruler, or leader. God is in the one who is in
charge over human nations and kingdoms. Now that we see the sovereign power of God, please
think about what has happened in the book of Ezra. Why didn’t God just make all the kings be
favorable toward his people? If God holds the heart of the king in his hands and directs it where
he wills, then why is there ever any opposition or difficulty
If you have failed by caving into fear or failed by stopping when the resistance arose, you can
learn from that failure. You can learn from that failure and get back to the work, ready to not fail
the next time you are afraid and the next time resistance comes. The reason the people succeeded
this time from where they failed last time was that they now put it is God’s hands. They kept
going with the work and put it in God’s hands. The world is not going to understand the work
and not going to understand why we cannot stop doing the work. But our mandate is clear. We
are servants of the God of heaven and earth and we have been charged with worshiping and
serving him. We will continue to do so, whether the government allows it or not, whether people
encourage us or discourage us, and whether it is easy or whether it is difficult. This is how we
resist the resistance. We have faith that God is watching over us and we do not stop (Ezra 5:5).
EZRA 7-8- The Good Hand of God Through His Word.
Ezra 7-8 is going to show us God’s hand at work. The text is going to show us how to find and
see the good hand of God.
Ezra 7 opens by telling us that about 60 years have gone. Sixty years is quite a long time. Sixty
years is enough time that we are talking about a new generation and we are talking about a time
when things can be very different from the past. If we do the math, 60 years ago for us would be
all the way back in 1962. America was a very different place with a very different culture in

1962 than where it is right now. So, it is important to keep this in mind. Even though we have
gone forward only one chapter in the book of Ezra, we have fast forwarded 60 years, which is
enough time to have new people and a new culture in place.
The next important piece of information is about a person named Ezra. What you will see is a
genealogy for Ezra that extends all the way to verse 5. We like to skip genealogies but there are
important reasons for their existence in the scriptures. This is a very important genealogy. As you
trace through his lineage, please notice where it ends: son of Aaron, the chief priest. Ezra is not
just a Levite, but he can trace his family bloodline all the way back to Aaron the high priest.
Preparing Self (7:1-10)
Not only does his bloodline show him to be from the line of priests, but great descriptions are
given about him. Look at verse 6. Ezra was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses. But the
important declaration is made at the end of verse 6. The king of Persia granted all that Ezra asked
because the hand of the Lord his God was on him. Ezra has determined to made the journey to
Jerusalem and some other Israelites want to join him. Ezra safely makes the journey “for the
good hand of his God was on him” (7:9). Now notice the reason for God being with Ezra. Look
at verse 10.
For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his
statutes and rules in Israel. (Ezra 7:10 ESV)
The NASB 2020 reads that Ezra firmly resolved to study the Law of the Lord. The CSB reads
that Ezra determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord. The NIV reads that Ezra had
devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord. The NET reads that Ezra
dedicated himself to the study of the law of the Lord. I want us to see this picture of Ezra. He
devoted himself and dedicated himself to study God’s law, to do God’s law, and teach God’s law.
Friends, is there a better decision you can make today? Is there a better thing to do with your
time? Is there a better thing to devote yourself for?
Why was the good hand of God on him? Because Ezra had prepared himself for God. Ezra
prepared himself. Ezra prepared his heart. Ezra prepared his life. Ezra gave himself to studying
God’s law, to doing God’s law, and to teaching God’s law.
Preparing Others and Humbling Ourselves (8:1-36)
Ezra 8 opens by recording the number of people who returned with Ezra to Jerusalem (8:1-14).
But Ezra observes a problem before they leave Persia in verse 15. None of the people who
returned were Levites. So, Ezra sends for the leaders of the people and tells them that they need
servants for the house of God (8:17). You will notice again that Ezra completely depends on the
Lord. In verse 18 he says that the gracious hand of God was on us and so Levites were brought
out to go with the people to work at the temple in service to the Lord. Ezra calls the people to
leave their comfort zones and leave their Persian lives to go do the work before them.

But the important way this all comes about it recorded in verses 21-23. Ezra proclaims a fast that
they might humble themselves before their God. Ezra sees that there is a long journey ahead and
a great work that needs to be accomplished. Before they can do anything and before they set out,
they turn to the Lord. They humble themselves before the Lord through fasting and prayer. Now
Ezra points out that there was a really important reason for needing God’s good hand. Look at
what he says in verse 22. Ezra says that he did not want to ask the king for protection in their
travels because he had proclaimed the goodness and righteousness of God to the king. He told
the king this great truth:
There are three key principles that we have observed in these two chapters about the good hand
of God. First, Ezra devoted himself to studying God’s law, doing God’s law, and teaching God’s
law. If we want to see the good hand of God, we must devote ourselves to God. Why would
expect to see the good hand of God and experience in our lives when we devote ourselves to so
many things other than studying, doing, and teaching God’s word?
Second, Ezra looked for the good hand of God and attributed all the good he experienced to God.
Do we do this? Do we attribute all of our good to God’s hand or to our own hand? Paul reminded
the Corinthians:
What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if
you did not receive it? (1 Corinthians 4:7 ESV)
What do we act like is because of ourselves and not received from God? Perhaps we have missed
so many things in our lives that is God showing his good hand toward you. Look for the good
hand of God actively working in your life.
Third, we need to humble ourselves to see the good hand of God. We must show that we are
depending on God’s hand and not our own. Ezra had courage because he saw God’s hand at
work. He did the work because he knew that God was with him. In the same way, God is with us
if we will humble ourselves, devote ourselves to him, and look for God’s good hand. (Thanks to
Brent Kercheville for the material he posted on line for this section of the Ezra study).
EZRA 9-10- HOW DO YOU CLEAN UP A BIG MESS? EZRA 9- In Ezra 7-8 we see Ezra
leading a group of people from Persia back to Jerusalem to participate in working on the temple.
The good hand of God was with him as he devoted himself to studying God’s law, doing God’s
law, and teaching God’s law (Ezra 7:10). But as he comes back to Jerusalem to do the work of
restoring the temple and restoring the hearts of the people to God, he learns that there is a big
mess that must be dealt with. 
The Problem (9:1-2)
The people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites have not separated themselves from the people
of the land and are practicing all the detestable, idolatrous practices that the locals practice. In a
matter of 60 years the people are back to sinning in the same way for which they were deported

from the land by God in the first place. Rather than being separate from the people and their
practices, they are just like the people of the land and practicing the same things. Not only this,
in verse 2 we read that the people were marrying the surrounding people. Now it is important to
understand that this was a command to Israel under the Law of Moses. When the people came
into the land, they were not supposed to marry the people who lived in the land of Canaan
(Exodus 34:16; Deuteronomy 7:3). Now that the people have returned to the land, in these last 60
years they are doing what God said not to do in marrying the people of the land. If this was not
bad enough, you will notice at the end of verse 2 that we are told that the leaders of the people
were the ones who led the way in this sinning.
Ezra’s Response (9:3-15)
Ezra is outraged when he hears this news. He tears his clothing. He pulls some hair from his head
and beard, and sits down appalled at what has happened. These are visible acts of distress and
grief. As Ezra sits in outrage, some who trembled at the word of the Lord gather around Ezra.
But Ezra sits in distress all day. Then, at the time of the evening sacrifice, he gets on his hands
and knees and prays. Ezra begins his prayer about how ashamed and humiliated he is because of
the people’s sinful deeds. Our guilt has risen as high as the heavens. Ezra confesses the sins of
their past that led them into Babylonian slavery. I love the beauty of what Ezra says next. In
verses 8-9 Ezra acknowledges the grace of God. God has shown us his grace, enlightening our
eyes, and granting us life. But what have we done with God’s grace? In verse 10 Ezra says that
we have abandoned the commands of the Lord. We violated the very commands that God told us
to keep. Ezra even quotes those commands in verses 11-12. Now listen to verse 13 where Ezra
says that the Lord had punished them even less than they deserved for their prior sins. We have
received less than we deserve but have broken God’s commands again! As a remnant we do not
deserve to exist as we stand before you. “We are before you in our guilt, for none can stand
before you because of this” (9:15). What a prayer that Ezra offers! God, you are righteous and
just. We are sinful and our sins go all the way to the sky. We are worthy of being wiped and up to
this point we have received far less than we deserve. Please notice that there is no request by
Ezra. He just simply places their sins and their lives in the hands of God. Ezra intercedes by
confessing the sins of the people.
The People’s Response (10:1-5)
Notice what is happening while Ezra is praying. Ezra 10:1 tells us that while Ezra prayed, made
confession, cried, and threw himself on the ground, a great assembly of Israel comes to him also
crying bitterly. One of the people that we know nothing about, Shecaniah, stands up and makes a
declaration. We have broken faith with our God and have married foreign women. We have been
unfaithful to our God in what we have done. But listen carefully to what he says next at the end
of verse 2. “But even now there is hope for Israel in spite of this.” What could the people
possibly do?

Listen to what he says in verses 3-4. We will make a covenant with God to put away all of these
wives with their children. Let it be done according to the Law. We will be with you, Ezra, to help
us do this. Be strong and take action. Notice that Ezra does not get up in verse 5 and say that this
is a ridiculous idea. He does not get up and say that this is an unbiblical idea. Ezra gets up and
makes the priests, Levites, and all of Israel take an oath that they would do this very thing. So,
they all take an oath that this is what they will do.
The first thing is that they are self-motivated. Ezra does not get up and tell them that this is the
response they need to take. The people are cut to the heart. They are truly moved by the grace of
God and their sinning in the face of God’s grace. They are the ones who are seeking to do what is
right. They want to get right with God. They determine that this is what they must do. They are
looking to truly repent.
The second thing is what Shecaniah and Ezra note. Shecaniah says that they will put away these
wives and it will be done according to the Law (10:3). Where did the Law of Moses say that this
was the response for marrying foreign women? Where do the scriptures specifically teach that
this is the response for sinful marriages? The Law does not say this anywhere. So where did they
get this idea? Why did Ezra agree to it since he has devoted his life to studying the Law, doing
the Law, and teaching the Law? Why is this action being done according to God’s law when
God’s law does not say to do this?
The answer becomes clear. A person cannot continue in sin thinking that grace will continue. If a
marriage is unlawful to God, then the solution is not to stay in that marriage. Now let me ask you
something. If there was another solution, do you suppose that these people would want to do that
instead? Of course, they loved their wives and their children. This was not a bunch of people
who wanted to get out of their marriages. But they understand that there is not another option.
Their only hope is to stop the sin which meant they needed to end these marriages. If it was
unlawful to get married, then it was unlawful to stay married. Putting away their wives was what
the Law required. There was no authority to remarry.
The Challenge of Obedience (10:6-44)
In verse 6 we see Ezra still mourning and interceding on behalf of the people. A proclamation
was made throughout Judah and Jerusalem that all the exiles needed to gather at Jerusalem. So,
all the people gathered in Jerusalem in the freezing rain, trembling. Ezra declares in verse 10 that
the people have broken faith with God with these unlawful marriages. Ezra then says that the
answer is to confess their sins and separate themselves from the peoples of the land. The people
respond in agreement to do just as Ezra has said to do.
But notice what else the people say in verse 13. The people are many and this is not a matter that
can be taken care of in a day or two because we have sinned greatly. Let everyone in our towns
who have married foreign women come at appointed times with the elders and judges of the
town until this matter is properly dealt with (10:14). Ezra and the people agree to these terms.

Two people are named as not agreeing with this solution, seeming to identify their unwillingness
to do what is necessary to repent. Verses 16-17 tell us that on the first day of the tenth month
they sat down and began investigating each case until they made it through all the people months
later. The rest of the book names all the men who had married foreign women and had children
with them.
The result is that the people go with God has said and demand that repentance must be fully
done. We can do no less. It was a sin to be in an ungodly then and it is now. To please God, one
must come out of an ungodly, unauthorized marriage. God is clear in Matthew 19 9; 5:32;
Romans 7 and 1 Cor. 7). The challenge is not knowing what God says, the challenge with many
is in obeying it.
(THANKS TO Brent Kercheville for his excellent material that is included in much of these
thoughts. Also, we have drawn strongly on EXPLORE THE BOOK, By J. Sidlow Baxter, for
many of thoughts expressed here) We commend this material to you

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