Book of ezra bible study

Nehemiah continues the story with an inspiring account of returning to faithfulness and doing gods work, no matter what. The book of ezra the name ezra meaning help therefore is the sequence to the chronicles in regard to history and in regard to contents. He helped settle the canon of scripture and arranged the psalms. Bible study questions on ezra, nehemiah, and esther. Israel was under babylonian control until approximately 536 bc when the medopersian empire took control. Ezra is about the return of the exiles from babylon, the rebuilding of the temple, and the restoration of gods people spiritually. The two became separated with the first printed rabbinic bibles of the early 16th century, following late medieval latin christian tradition. Agape bible study, in depth catholic scripture study of both the old and new testaments, catecism of the catholic church, bible study,commentaries, ancient catholic scholars, contemporay catholic scholars, biblical history, salvation history, fathers of the church. Thats the first reason i often give for studying the old testament books of ezra and nehemiah. In this 12week study, kathleen nielson shows readers gods mercy and faithfulness demonstrated in the books of ezra and nehemiah, encouraging christians toward sincere repentance and persevering hope. The new world translation of the holy scriptures is published by jehovahs witnesses. Ezra character bible study background and lessons name. Israel returns from exile macarthur bible studies macarthur, john f.

Ezra bible study guide this article contains a bible study guide and free resource for lessons on the subject of bible study books of the bible including this article on ezra bible study. The story of the israelites second return from babylon takes place in about 458 bc. This is a guest post by kathleen nielson, author of ezra and nehemiah. The book of ezra is part of the historical booksof the bible. Ezra, bible prophet amazing bible timeline with world. This is the episode is part 9 in a study of the book of ezra.

But ezra himself became personally involved in the story during the 7th year of the reign of artaxerxes, when ezra led a group of jews back to palestine 458 bc. Ezra 710 picks up the story more than sixty years later, when ezra led the second group of exiles to israel 458 bc. The theme of the book of ezra is the word of the lord. Reading and studying the book of ezra with friends on zoom. In fact, ezra and nehemiah were originally regarded as one book by ancient jewish and early christian scribes. Dec 12, 2018 the book of ezra is part of the historical books of the bible. They are put together as one book in the hebrew bible, although the fact that the lists in ezra 2 and nehemiah 7 are virtually the same argues that originally they were separate. But the people who lived near them did not want the jews back in the land. Ezra 9 ezras prayer episode 619 the bible study podcast. At one time, however, ezra and nehemiah followed 1 and 2 chronicles and were generally considered to be the work of one and the same author known as the chronicler. Ezras record begins with the first group that returned under cyrus. The book of ezra in the bible tells us that the king of persia allowed the jews to return to their own land.

The book is comprised of an approximately 80year time frame in which ezra reveals that god has fulfilled his promise to cause the jews to return to jerusalem cf. The truth about the apocrypha and the lost books of the bible. Watch our overview video on the prophetic books of ezra and nehemiah, which breaks down the literary design of each books flow of thought. In keeping with this, there is stress laid on gods sovereignty over both his own people, but also foreign kings and peoples as well. Scribes were a special class of priests who devoted themselves to studying and teaching the. Ezra, nehemiah, and esther bible study notes, commentary, and. Study scripture verses with commentary, concordances, and use highlighting, underlining, take notes in the bible. This viewpoint is based on certain characteristics common to both chronicles and ezranehemiah. This is because both jewish and christian tradition attribute authorship to this famous scribepriest. The lord rasied up ezra and nehemiah to reestablish the nation by rebuilding the temple and city walls and by turning the people back to his word. So ezra prayed and confessed israels sins, and the people agreed to begin obeying gods laws. There are ten direct references to gods word in this little book. A 12week study knowing the bible paperback july 31, 2016.

Also, ezra was probably the writer of 1 and 2 chronicles and psalm 119 the longest chapter in the bible. Ezras life demonstrates the importance of disciplined bible study and obedience to biblical teachings. Through his narrative, ezra declared that they were still gods people and that god had not forgotten them. The books of ezra and nehemiah are about gods renewing his errant. The events in ezra are set in jerusalem and the surrounding area. The last four books of the hebrew canon are ezra, nehemiah, and 1 and 2 chronicles, in that order. This workbook was designed for bible class study, family study, or personal study. Not all the jews returned to judah, but some did return. Originally written together as a single book in the jewish scriptures, ezra and nehemiah document the fulfillment of gods promise that israel will return home after 70 years of exile in babylon and restore their ruined dwellings again. Visit our library of inductive bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the bible you can use in your small group. These small group studies of ezra contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, teaching points, and applications. Feb 18, 2018 part 1 in a study through the book of ezra. In english bibles, they are usually split into two, with the book of nehemiah appearing as a separate book from ezra, but in the hebrew tradition, they are one book, entitled ezra, and nehemiah is simply the second part of ezra. Even though ezras name does not enter the account of judahs postexilic return to jerusalem until 7.

King james version 1 now when the adversaries of judah and benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the lord god of israel. Ezra was an ancient jewish priest and scribe who was one of the primary leaders of israel when they returned from exile to rebuild jerusalem and solomons temple. The nwt study bible is complete with cross references, maps, and an accurate bible dictionary. The book of ezra the last four books of the hebrew canon are ezra, nehemiah, and 1 and 2 chronicles, in that order. Intro to ezra biblica the international bible society.

But ezra himself became personally involved in the story during the 7th year of the reign of araxerxes, when ezra led a group of jews back to palestine 458 bc. These jews restored their genealogy and set about to rebuild the temple, under much opposition, some main persons and events of ezra. Jul 05, 2018 ezra was horrified to learn that the people of israel were committing the same sins as other nations. Key personalities include cyrus, ezra, haggai, zechariah, darius i, artaxerxes i, and zerubbabel. The lord, the god of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at jerusalem in judah. The bible book of ezra with full chapters, footnotes and bible commentary to aid your bible search, reading, and study. Ezra with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Ezra prays for the people when he returns from exile only to learn that the people of israel are doing some of. These events are described in the book of nehemiah. The book could not have been completed earlier than about 450 bc the date of the events recorded in 10. The book of ezra provides an account of the jews regathering, of their struggle to survive and to rebuild what had been destroyed. The books of ezra and nehemiah are the only completely historical books in the third section of the hebrew bible, the ketuvim writings.

The place of the word of god is seen in the total lives of these people. Ezra 1 cyrus helps the exiles to return in bible gateway. Five great lessons from the book of ezra macland road. Israel was in serious danger of being punished or even destroyed by the lord. Ezra 1 new international version niv cyrus helps the exiles to return. Take time today to acknowledge gods sovereignty and mercy in your life. Study guide for ezra 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. The books of haggai and zechariah should be read and studied with the book of ezra, for all three books were written in the shadow of the rebuilt temple, and were given to encourage the people in building. Summary of the book of ezra ezra is the first book in the postexilic period of israel. Ezra bible book with full chapters king james version. Ezra is a book of narrative history and genealogies. Haggai was the main prophet in the day of ezra, and zechariah was the prophet in the day of nehemiah.

By studying these books, we have a testimony of how god works through people to accomplish his redemptive purposes. This page which covers ezra bible study is suitable for those requiring an outline for ezra bible study. Although ezra is a continuation of the historical books begun with joshua, the precaptivity and captivity books could be profitably studied before beginning with ezra. The book of ezra begins its history at the continue reading bible study. Aug 25, 2016 why study the books of ezra and nehemiah. See all 3 formats and editions hide other formats and. His story begins around 480 bc, which is where he appears on the amazing bible timeline with world history study companion. Ezra is believed to possibly be the author of the books of the chronicles. Home bible studies ezra studies ezra 12 these small group studies of ezra contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, teaching points, and applications. A bible study group in which i am involved has used this guide profitably. And yet in between these two books lies the babylonian captivity, which lasted 70 years compare jeremiah 25. The book of ezra teaches us about god leading a remnant of babylonian exiles to return to jerusalem and rebuild the temple.

Although it is possible to cover one lesson each session, there is enough material that a group could devote two sessions to each lesson, making for a 16 rather than an 8week bible study. Use highlighting, underlining, and take notes while you study the bible. Ezra sought to understand gods word so he could practice it personally. King nebuchadnezzar invaded israel and carried the jews away as captives in 606 bc. Ezra and nehemiah together give a compelling account of the final piece of old testament history, in which gods people are restored to the. Join blue letter bible s ceo and cofounder, jim milligan, as he presents blbs key ministry highlights from 2019. Israels struggles to resist foreign influences and to rebuild the temple are spotlighted in the book. Ezra had devoted himself especially to study and to do the law of jehovah the word of god and was eager to teach the word in israel. This chapter is a genealogy chapter so it is less discussion and a bit slower compared.

The book of ezra, in conjunction with nehemiah, records the fulfillment of gods promise to restore his people to their land after seventy years of babylonian captivity. Centuries before, isaiah had prophesied that god would work through cyrus the persian to accomplish his will isaiah 45. Ezranehemiah the bible project home the bible project. Chapters 16 deal with the initial return of a remnant from babylon under the leadership of zerubbabel in 538 b. The book of ezra proclaims the importance of worship and the need to endure patiently in the face of difficulty. The greater part of this book, though it bears the name of ezra, tells of the pioneers who came back from exile to jerusalem a whole lifetime before him. Book of ezra overview insight for living ministries. Mar 25, 2012 this series is not ment to be an exhaustive, indepth study of the bible, but an overview of why each of the sixtysix books were written, and to see the unfolding plan of god, from the creation of. The book of nehemiah reports other things that ezra did. Recommit to him your trust, your love, and your obedience. Book of ezra read, study bible verses online bible study tools.

Cyrus made a decree giving the jewish exiles in his empire the right to return to jerusalem and rebuild the temple in 538 b. The verses at the end of chronicles and at the beginning of ezra are virtually identical. Let us pay tribute to ezra who was the first to begin a revival of bible study. In the hebrew bible mt ezra nehemiah is a single work. A 12week study knowing the bible and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. The book of ezra covers the return from captivity to rebuild the temple up to the decree of artaxerxes, the event covered at the beginning of the book of nehemiah. The questions contain minimal human commentary, but instead urge students to study to understand scripture. Most scholars conclude that the authorcompiler of ezra and nehemiah was also the author of 1,2 chronicles. The book of ezra is the historical record of gods people returning to jerusalem after the. Aug 17, 2016 this article is part of the why study the book. The book of ezra recounts israels final years of exile in babylon, including accounts of two returning groups as they are restored to their homeland after 70 years in captivity.