WRITER unknown. It is generally conceded that Ezra was not the author of the entire book, but may have been the compiler of those portions which he did not write. He was a Jewish exile in Babylon of priestly descent.  # Ezr 7:1-6

MAIN SUBJECTS. The return of the Jews from their captivity in Babylon, the rebuilding of the temple and the inauguration of social and religious reforms.

SPIRITUAL MESSAGE. The power of the Word of God in human life.
Referred to as the “Word of the Lord” # Ezr 1:1 9:4

“Law of Moses” # Ezr 3:2 6:18 7:6
“Commandments” # Ezr 6:14 10:3,5
“Law of the Lord” # Ezr 7:10,14

SYNOPSIS

PART I. The Return of the First Colony of Jews under the Leadership of Zerubbabel, chs. 1-6
# Ezr 1:1 – 6:1
(a) Authorized by King Cyrus # Ezr 1:1-4
(b) The names of the returning remnant of the people, the priests, the Levites, the descendants of Solomon’s servants, and their substance and gifts, ch. 2 # Ezr 2:1

PART II. Their Building Enterprises.
(a) The altar rebuilt and worship established # Ezr 3:1-6
(b) The foundation of the temple laid # Ezr 3:8-13
(c) The people of the land desire to join in the work # Ezr 4:1,2
(d) When their offer was rejected they became violent opposers, causing the suspension of the work # Ezr 4:4-24
(e) After a long delay the work was resumed by an edict of King Darius, chs. 5,6 # Ezr 5:1 – 6:1
(f) The temple finished and dedicated and ancient rites observed  # Ezr 6:15-22

PART III. The Return of the Second Colony under Ezra, authorized by the king, Artaxerxes, chs. 7-10 # Ezr 7:1 – 10:1
(a) The list of Ezra’s company of returning exiles, and their arrival at Jerusalem, ch. 8 # Ezr 8:1
(b) The correction of social evils by Ezra, chs. 9,10 # Ezr 9:1 – 10:1

THE LITERARY AND RELIGIOUS WORK OF EZRA. He is the reputed author of several Psalms, notably the 119th.

According to ancient tradition he wrote First and Second Chronicles, but this cannot be proven. He was associated with Nehemiah in initiating a revival of the study of the Scriptures, Neh. ch. 8
# Ne 8:1
He was reputed to be the organizer of the Jewish synagogue, and to have assembled most of the books of the Old Testament.

CHOICE SELECTIONS
(1) Ezra’s sublime trust in divine protection when called upon to carry great treasures through dangerous places. # Ezr 8:21-32
(2) Ezra’s prayer and confession for the people # Ezr 9:5-15