Christ In The Old Testament: EZRA
The HISTORIC
The next historical book to consider is Ezra. Let's closely examine it and observe how Christ's presence is subtly interwoven.
The book is named after its central figure, Ezra. In the Hebrew Bible, Ezra and Nehemiah were initially a single book. This book chronicles two distinct restorations from the Babylonian exile. The first occurred with over 40,000 Israelites returning under Sheshbazzar around 530 BC. The second, a smaller group led by Ezra, aimed to teach the people the Law of Moses, and this return happened around 458 BC.
PURPOSE
Since this book was originally part of a unified composition, the purpose for what is now known as Ezra and Nehemiah must be considered together. This work continues the narrative where 2 Chronicles ends, affirming that the Israelites are still God’s chosen people, despite their exile and the challenges they faced upon their return. God’s divine plan is evident through pagan kings like Cyrus and Artaxerxes, who facilitated the return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple. God also provided devout teachers (Ezra 7:9) and strong governors (Nehemiah 2:12) to guide His people. From a broader perspective, the reconstruction of the second temple, the Jewish community, and the stability of Jerusalem were pivotal for the arrival of Jesus over four centuries later.
STORY
Key Themes: The return from exile, temple restoration, and re-establishment of life under Mosaic law.
Timeline: From Cyrus's decree permitting the return to Ezra's initial ministry - spanning over 80 years (approximately 538 - 457 BC).
Emperor Cyrus the Great reigned over Persia from around 559 BC. The Persians defeated the Chaldean empire and Babylon in 539 BC, initiating a policy allowing exiled ethnic groups to return home. The first group of Israelites, led by Sheshbazzar, returned during Cyrus's rule. The second temple was consecrated in 516 BC, precisely 70 years after Solomon's temple was destroyed (2 Chronicles 36:21). The subsequent return of exiles, accompanied by Ezra the priest, occurred in 458 BC, during the reign of Artaxerxes I, approximately 80 years later than the first return.
ORIGINAL HISTORICAL SETTING
Author: Unknown, possibly Ezra.
Date of writing: Around 430 BC.
First Audience and Destination: Israelites in Jerusalem after their return from exile.
Occasion: The exact reason for the book's writing remains unclear. The author could have been an eyewitness to all the events of Ezra and Nehemiah, spanning about a century. He skillfully wove together his sources to craft a powerful account of God's provision and protection of His people.
ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY
The initial group of returning exiles restored the worship of the Lord, culminating in the reconstruction of the temple. Ezra, leading the second group, reestablished the Israelite community under Mosaic law, eventually compelling the removal of foreign wives.
CHRIST IN EZRA
The exiles returning from Babylon had abandoned idolatry, and Ezra emphasizes a concept found in the Mosaic law: forgiveness requires the shedding of blood (Lev. 17:11). Thus, their primary concern was reestablishing an altar for offering sacrifices (Ezra 3:1-6), with the temple as a secondary priority (Ezra 6:13-18). Throughout the Old Testament, personal trust in God was expressed through appropriate sacrifices and obedience to God’s law.
Ezra, a priest who played a vital role in leading God’s people back from Babylon, is a precursor to Jesus’s mission. In a sermon at the Nazareth synagogue, Jesus declared His agenda, which included:
"…proclaiming liberty to the captives…" (Luke 4:18, NKJV).
This resonates with Ezra’s role in leading the Israelites back to their spiritual freedom.
