Christopher L. Scott

The Book of Ezra

Timing of Events Related to the Book of Ezra

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  • 539 Cyrus of Persia takes Babylon (Dan 5:30-31)
  • 538 Cyrus of Persia issues decree for Jews to return to Judah (Ezra 1:1-4)
  • 537 Jews leave Babylon and arrive in Judah (Ezra 1:5-2:70)
  • 536 Sacrifices made on altar (Ezra 3:1-6)
  • 535 Temple foundation rebuilt (Ezra 3:7-13)
  • 535 Temple rebuilding stops due to enemies of Judah (Ezra 4:1-5)
  • 520 Temple rebuilding begins due to Haggai and Zechariah (Ezra 4:24-5:2)
  • 515 Temple rebuilding complete (Ezra 6:14-15)
  • 485 Letter of accusation written at beginning of Xerxes reign (Ezra 4:6)
  • 485-465 Book of Esther takes place under Xerxes (between Ezra 6 and Ezra 7)
  • 464 Letter of accusation written under Artaxerxes (Ezra 4:7-16)
  • 458 Ezra returns to Judah (Ezra 7-10)
  • 444 Nehemiah returns to Judah (Nehemiah)

An Outline of the Book of Ezra

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I. THE TEMPLE REBUILT UNDER ZERUBBABEL (1-6)

A. The Goal Described (1)

1. The Decree of Cyrus (vv. 1-4)

2. The Decision of the Jews (vv. 5-11)

B. The Goal Pursued (2-3)

1. The Faithful Returners (2:1-70)

2. The Faithful Builders (3:1-13)

They Begin (vv. 1-6) > altar is built

They Continue (vv. 7-13) > temple foundation is built

C. The Goal Paused (4)

1. Opposition Begins (vv. 1-5) [vv. 1-5, 24]

2. Opposition Grows (vv. 6-24) [vv. 6-23]

The Group of Opposers (vv. 6-10)

The Content of the Opposers to the King (vv. 11-16)

The Response of the King to the Opposers (vv. 17-22)

The Result of the King’s Response (vv. 23-24)

D.  The Goal Restarted (5-6)

1. By Fresh People (5:1-5)

2. With Fresh Opposition (5:6-17)

Those Composing the Letter (vv. 6-7a)

The Content of the Letter (vv. 7b-17)

3. Yet with Fresh Encouragement (6:1-22)

The Search by the King (vv. 1-2a)

The Findings of the King (vv. 2b-5)

The Result from the King (vv. 6-12)

The Accomplishment of the People (vv. 13-22)

-Goal Is Complete (vv. 13-15)

-God Is Celebrated (vv. 16-22)

~Dedication of the Temple (vv. 16-18)

~Celebration of Passover (vv. 19-22)

II.  THE COMMUNITY REFORMED UNDER EZRA (7-10)[1]

A.  Ezra’s Testimony (7)

1. The Selection of Ezra (vv. 1-10)[2]

His Family (vv. 1-5)

His Focus (vv. 6-7)

His Fervency (vv. 8-10)

2. The Support for Ezra (vv. 11-26)

Introduction (vv. 11-12)

Permission (vv. 13-20)

Commission (vv. 21-24)

Deputation ( vv. 25-26)

3. The Statement of Ezra (vv. 27-28)

B.  Ezra’s Travels (8)

1. Those Traveling with Ezra (vv. 1-14)

2. Those Helping Ezra (vv. 15-20)

3. Those Reforming with Ezra (vv. 21-30)

4. More Travels and Arrival in Jerusalem (vv. 31-36)

C.  Ezra’s Troubles (9)

1. The Problem with Mixed Marriages (vv. 1-4)

2. The Profession of the Dilemma (vv. 5-15)

D.  Ezra’s Task (10)

1. A Proposal by the People (vv. 1-4)

2. A Plan by Ezra (vv. 5-8)

3. A Production Together (vv. 9-44)

The Setting (v. 9)

The Speech (vv. 10-11)

The Response of the People (vv. 12-14)

The Response of the Leaders (v. 15)

The Actions of the People (vv. 16-17)

The Findings (vv. 18-44)

[1] Commission of Ezra (7), Coming of Ezra (8), Confession of Ezra (9), Cleansing of People (10)

[2] His Pedigree > Back to Aaron (vv. 1-5), His Proficiency > Skill (v. 6a), His Pilgrimage > Timing (vv. 7-9), His Passion > Heart (v. 10)