Ezra: Historical Time and Background
This is an introduction to Ezra for house group leaders (not the notes for any specific week!)
In Jewish history one of the most catastrophic times occurred when King Nebuchadnezzar, who ruled over the Babylonian empire overwhelmed the Jewish nation of Judah, and took into exile a large number of the prominent Jewish Families. This had been foretold in prophecy: Deuteronomy 4:25-31, and Jeremiah 25. Also foretold was that the exile would be temporary – It was caused by the sin of the Jewish people, and the return marked a time when God would restore the people.
There are many lesson for us in this early time of coming out of Covid in the books ofEzra, and Nehemiah, which at one time might have been part of the same book, along with the prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah. For most of us Covid was a terrible shock, particularly as it meant a physical divorce for many of us from the Church and our friends there. It seemed as if everything that was familiar had been taken from us. Ezra will help us understand a bit more about what God does in the light of a catastrophe. It is easy to forget that God is in control of the whole world – its climate, its diseases etc. In the Old Testament we do see history from this perspective – and it is good to think how God might be restoring us as Covid comes under control.
So when reading Ezra, and possibly the accompanying books, don’t get tied up in knots about the specific ‘happenings’ or what the people decide to do in situations – look for what God does in terms of restoration, what he expects the people to do, and what that all means for us today, as we look for what God is saying.
This historical book of Ezra covers the beginning of what is called the post-exillic period of Israel’s history. It is also linked with Nehemiah, which is considered the 2nd book of Ezra in the Jewish Scriptures. Those who had been living in Babylon and Persia during the 70 year exile that began approximately 605 BC were allowed to return to their homeland. This captivity was a judgement upon Israel’s Southern Kingdom (tribes of Judah and Benjamin) for not giving the land its Sabbath rest and the disobedience of the people and their leaders.. See the following Scriptures for some basic insight into the Captivity — Leviticus 25:1-7 / 2 Chronicles 36:20-23 / Jeremiah 25:11-12; 29:10-14; 30:3 / Daniel 9:1-3. It was written somewhat concurrently with the ministries of Haggai and Zechariah, and begins with the proclamation of Cyrus, king of the Persian empire, giving the Jews the provision to rebuild the Temple. Haggai and Zechariah were called by God to exhort the returned exiles to rebuild the Temple. There are many of the same problems spoken of in Nehemiah and in Malachi about a hundred years later (see Neh 13:1-28 & Malachi). Reading the last chapter of 2 Chronicles, along with Haggai and Zechariah, should help provide a better understanding of the historical context of Ezra (and Nehemiah).
The book of Ezra covers the years 537-458 BC and covers the longest time period of three books related to Israel’s post-exillic history 483- 471 BC, and Nehemiah covers the years 444-425 BC (all dates are approximate).These books are the history that covers the time when Israel was able to return to its homeland after the period of Captivity in Babylon and Persia, paralleling the prophetic ministries of Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. Important Contemporaries of Ezra .
The influential leaders of Israel were Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah. Zerubbabel was the leader of the first wave of exiles returning from Captivity (about 537 BC). Ezra was a scribe (and teacher) who returned with a second wave of returning exiles in 458 BC). Nehemiah came to Jerusalem as a governor in about 444 BC with another wave of returning exiles. These three waves of returning exiles roughly correspond this way — the 1st captives were exiled in 605 BC and included the prophet Daniel and his three faithful companions. These were mostly the royal and noble classes. The 1st return of exiles (roughly 70 years later) begins in 537/536 BC. There was a 2nd wave of captives taken in 597 BC. The 3rd wave of captivity took place in 586 BC when both the Temple and the city of Jerusalem were destroyed. This is recorded by and during the ministry of the prophet Jeremiah.
It is important to remember that the 70 years of exile meant that at least 3 new generations had been born in that period – Jews who did not know their native land, and may well have settled in Babylon with no strong desire to return.