Ezra

I. Introduction
   A. Ezra: A quite different picture than before
      1. After the exile and the return
      2. How would the Jews fare?
   B. Description of building of Temple, concerns in Ezra's day
   C. Let us consider the book

II. Ezra: The Details
   A. Authorship
      1. Ezra certainly responsible for part or whole of the book
      2. In ancient times, Ezra-Nehemiah considered one book
   B. Dating
      1. Book covers two periods of time
      2. Return to Judah, rebuilding of Jerusalem, Temple 
         (ca. 539-516 BCE)
      3. Ezra's move to Judah, issues of that day (ca. 458-457 BCE)
      4. Composition not long after these events
   C. Audience
      1. The audience represents the returned exiles in the Persian 
         period
      2. We can gain much also
   D. Purpose
      1. To encourage the Jews of Judah in their faith
      2. To describe the rebuilding of the Temple
      3. To describe Ezra's role in the instruction of the people

III. Ezra: The Story
   A. Main Sections
      1. Return and Rebuilding (Ezra 1-6)
      2. Ezra and the People (Ezra 7-10)
   B. The Return (Ezra 1-2)
      1. Cyrus' proclamation for Jews to return, rebuild Temple 
         (Ezra 1:1-4)
      2. Jews rise up to return, given all kinds of resources 
         (Ezra 1:5-11)
      3. Return of people; genealogy and number of those returning 
         (Ezra 2)
   C. Rebuilding and Complications (Ezra 3-6)
      1. People gather in Jerusalem, rebuild altar (Ezra 3:1-3)
      2. Feast of Booths celebrated; preparations begin to rebuild 
         Temple (Ezra 3:4-7)
      3. Temple rebuilding begins (Ezra 3:8-9)
      4. Priests, Levites praise God according to directions of David; 
         people shout; those who remember first Temple mourn 
         (Ezra 3:10-13)
      5. Samaritan "adversaries" seek to help build Temple; assistance 
         refused; sought ways to hinder them (Ezra 4:1-5)
      6. Letter from Samaritans to Cambyses: danger of Jews in 
         Jerusalem if Temple rebuilt (Ezra 4:9-16)
      7. Letter of Cambyses: Temple building to cease; Jews stop for 
         a time (Ezra 4:17-24)
      8. Haggai and Zechariah prophesy; Jews begin rebuilding Temple; 
         governor seeks insight as to what to do from Darius 
         (Ezra 5:1-5)
      9. Letter of Tattenai to Darius: explanation of situation, Jews 
         say that Cyrus decreed that Temple should be rebuilt; search 
         to see if it is so (Ezra 5:6-17)
      10. Cyrus' proclamation found in Ecbatana; proclamation restated 
          (Ezra 6:1-5)
      11. Letter of Darius: Temple to be rebuilt, resources from royal 
          treasury (Ezra 6:6-12)
      12. Temple then completed, dedicated; many offerings 
          (Ezra 6:13-18)
      13. Passover observed (Ezra 6:19-22)
   D. Ezra to Judah (Ezra 7-8)
      1. In days of Artaxerxes, Ezra the scribe and priest goes up to 
         Jerusalem with Jews (Ezra 7:1-10)
      2. Letter of Artaxerxes commending Ezra, material that he was 
         given, material he should be given; Ezra to teach the laws 
         of God (Ezra 7:11-26)
      3. Blessing of Artaxerxes (Ezra 7:27-28)
      4. Genealogy of those returning with Ezra (Ezra 8:1-14)
      5. Ezra sends for Levites who come with him (Ezra 8:15-20)
      6. Ezra seeks protection of God during journey (Ezra 8:21-23)
      7. Priests guard offerings; journey successful; offerings 
         presented (Ezra 8:24-36)
   E. Intermarriage (Ezra 9-10)
      1. Officials tell Ezra that people have intermarried with local 
         foreign nations; Ezra laments and mourns (Ezra 9:1-5)
      2. Ezra prays for the guilt of Israel (Ezra 9:6-15)
      3. While he prays, people gather and confess their sin, intend 
         to cast off foreign wives and children (Ezra 10:1-4)
      4. Ezra has leading men swear an oath to do so; fasts and mourns; 
         proclamation of assembly to meet in Jerusalem (Ezra 10:5-8)
      5. Ezra tells the assembly of their sin; they agree to cast off 
         their foreign wives and children (Ezra 10:9-17)
      6. Listing of those guilty of the sin (Ezra 10:18-44)

IV. Conclusion
   A. Difficult times in the days after the exile
      1. Not much left in Judah
      2. Opposition from adversaries
      3. Compromise of principle
   B. Yet God sees them through
      1. Temple rebuilt
      2. Compromise broken
   C. Let us stand strong in faith!
   D. Invitation/songbook