Coming Home.
After a rough day at school or a long trip, it feels pretty good to come home, doesn’t it? But what if you were gone for years, and when you got back your house had burned down and your hometown was deserted? You might be glad to get back, but you’d be disappointed too.
Ezra tells the story of the Israelites’ return to their empty and ruined homeland after 70 years of captivity in Babylon. It was especially tough because the Jews’ neighbors were hostile. If their attempt to rebuild their homeland was going to succeed in the face of harsh opposition, they had to remain faithful to God!
Cyrus Sends Jews Packing
• New ruler changes policy, see Ezra 1:1–8
Ezra Sets Life-Goal
• Example reported, Ezra 7:10
Disgraceful Marriages Stun Ezra
• See report in Ezra 9
Ezra: Show Up, or Else!
• Edict recorded in Ezra 10:7–17
Preview
• Isaiah predicts Cyrus’ conquest of Babylon a hundred years before it happens: Isaiah 45:1–6
• Only 50,000 Jews return. Hundreds of thousands stay in Babylon.
• Events recorded in this book take place between 538 B.C. and 438 B.C.
During these years the Greeks defeat invading Persian armies. • Roman laws are recorded on Twelve Tablets. • Celts settle in the British Isles. • In India Buddha dies. • He is not resurrected.