|
|
Calvary Missionary Baptist Church |
EZRA A Study of His Character and Leadership His Story: Ezra 1-10; Nehemiah 8-10 Ezra - "God is a help" Time Period (Approx.) - 457 B.C. - 445 B.C. (Earlier Date = 2nd Exile, Later Date = 3rd Exile) Family - Seraiah (Father), Best known For: He was a priest during the time of the exile, after Judah was taken into captivity by Babylon. Finding favor in the eyes of Artaxerxes I, he was commanded to return back to Jerusalem to teach the people about the Law of the Living God. Though the temple was rebuilt, the people were without understanding of the Law. Ezra taught them and led them through a great revival and purification before the Lord. Outline of Ezra's Life I. Ezra is sent by King Artaxerxes to gather his fellow Jews, to carry gifts from the King's treasury to the temple at Jerusalem, and to teach the Jews the Law. (Ezra 7) II. Ezra sends for the Levites to come with him to Jerusalem (Ezra 8:15-20) III. Ezra proclaims a fast to entreat God for protection on their way to Jerusalem (Ezra 8:21-23) IV. Ezra and his group of Jews, along with the Levites, make it to Jerusalem safely according to their prayer (Ezra 8:24-36) V. Ezra observes the people's sins of intermarriage, pours out his heart in repentance to God praying to the Lord intently, praying a repentant prayer before God (Ezra 9) VI. The people gather around Ezra, and confess their sins, agreeing to put away the wives and children that they obtained sinfully. (Ezra 10) VII. Ezra reads the law to the Jews for seven days, and the Jews are told not to weep for the "joy of the Lord" is their strength. (Nehemiah 8) VIII. After hearing the Law for seven days, the people confess their sins to God (Nehemiah 9) IX. The people made a covenant to God, and sealed it, that they would again serve only the Lord and live their lives according to His laws (Nehemiah 10) |