The Hand of God on Ezra

God works powerfully through the person whose heart is devoted to Him. In part 3 of Ezra-Nehemiah: The Gracious Hand of God, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Ezra 7 – 8.

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Study Notes

Previously in Ezra-Nehemiah…

• Jews sent into exile by Babylon
• Babylon defeated by Persia
• Persian King Cyrus decrees return of Jews
• Three returns under Zerubbabel, Ezra & Nehemiah

Understanding the Text

1. First Return Under Zerubbabel (Ezra 1-6)
2. Second Return and Reform Under Ezra (Ezra 7-10)
   1. Return to the Land
      1. Introduction of Ezra (Ezra 7:1-10)
      2. The decree of Artaxerxes (Ezra 7:11-26)
      3. Ezra’s praise (Ezra 7:27-28)
      4. List of returnees (Ezra 8:1-14)
      5. Journey to Jerusalem (Ezra 8:15-36)

Events in the Text

• Zerubbabel returns in 538 BC
• Temple completed in 515 BC
• King Xerxes / Esther
• King Artaxerxes / Ezra
• About 60 years pass from Temple completion until Ezra’s return in 458 BC

Ezra

• was devoted to God’s Word
• trusted and praised God
• was used powerfully by God

Ezra and Effective Service for God

• Study God’s Word
• Obey God’s Word
• Teach God’s Word
• Trust God’s sovereign hand