Themes By Chapter
Book Summary:
At the beginning of Ezra we see Cyrus the king of Persia permitting the Jewish captives to return to there nation – a man named by his name in the prophecy of Isaiah 200 years before. (Isaiah 44:28, 45:1-5)
The Jews rejoiced on there return to Jerusalem and on returning they first built not the temple but the altar – the center of the Jewish faith as the cross is the center of the Christian faith – for without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
These events of Israel’s captivity , of there release, of men and other nations aiding them in rebuilding the temple and city walls was all working for the purpose of God and His plan making ready and preparing the way for the fullness of time to have been accomplished when the Messiah could be revealed. (Galatians 4:4)
Ezra and Nehemiah portray Jesus as the restorer – Jesus is the restorer and in Him we are complete, we are Holy, whole, complete – complete in Him (Colossians 2:10)