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The book of Ezra records almost all that is known about the Jews between 539 BC. when Cyrus, King of Persia, conquered Babylon, and 457 BC. when Ezra came to Jerusalem. Note the end of Second Chronicles and see how this book continues where the other left off with the history of Judah. The book shows how God's promise to bring the people back into their land was fulfilled. The Jews "second exodus" was less impressive than the first. Only a remnant chose to leave Babylon and go back to Judah. Approximately 3 million Jews were taken captive into Babylon, only 50,000 chose to return.
By now the Jews had taken over most of the mercantile business in Babylon. They were living comfortably even though they were disenfranchised. We must remember that by now these were second and third generation Jews, most of whom, had no recollection or attraction for Judah. It would have been hard to leave a comfortable living and make a 900-mile trek across a desert and face the hardships of rebuilding a destroyed nation. However, some did and they were mostly from the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Levi. Eventually, some of the other tribes did return.
Ezra and Nehemiah were originally one book. The author or compiler is not known but certainly Ezra is the best candidate and he made use of documents of events that he had not witnessed personally. Jewish tradition attributes the book to him.
The theme of Ezra is the spiritual, physical, moral and social restoration of the Jews to Jerusalem. This book covers the first two of the returns and Nehemiah covers the third. The book, as a whole, typifies Christ's work of forgiveness and restoration.
First, lets establish the "time frame".
Instrumental in this reconstruction were Ezra, Nehemiah and Zerubbabel, sometimes called Shesh-bazzar. God used them in different ways. Ezra was a Priest and Scribe. Nehemiah was a Governor. Zerubbabel was a Prince of Judah.
The next 500 years, until the time of Christ, was the beginning of a very dark age for Israel that has just started sense World War II to show some light and emerge again as a world power. Those 500 years, though dark for Israel, was a period of great change for most of the world. Gold and silver coins came into use and trade flourished. World wisdom religions came into their own with Confucius in China and Socrates and Plato in Greece. Greece became the world center for wisdom. The Roman Empire was founded and trade and travel flourished in the known world. Our three books, Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther, only cover about 200 years of that 500-year period.
It does not appear that Ezra went to Jerusalem until at least 50 years after the Temple was built. Chapter 7 verse 1 says, "Ezra traveled from Babylon to Jerusalem during the reign of Ar-ta-xerxes of Persia, 465 - 424 BC.
Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem as Governor of Judah and rebuilt the walls in 445 BC., 71 years after the Temple was rebuilt.
Esther became Queen of Persia before either Ezra or Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem. It appears that she became Queen about 479 BC. only 37 years after the Temple was built. It does not appear that any of this would have been possible if it had not been for Esther who saved the Jews in Babylon from sure death by unveiling a plot against them. All of which was according to God's will and plan.
Ezra was a Levite, a member of the Priestly Tribe of Levi. He was often called a Prophet. He, more than anyone else, re-established the Jewish culture and religion after the bondage in Babylon. We need to remind ourselves the these were second and third generation Jews that had never known Jerusalem nor had they been exposed to very much Jewish culture or religion. When they returned it was necessary for all of this to be re-established. Ezra re-established the Law. He encouraged the Jews to divorce their foreign wives. He restored the sacred vessels of the Temple, re-instituted worship services on the Sabbath, but did not place the importance on Temple worship as it had been before but allowed the establishment of local synagogues and the office of Rabbi (Teacher or Reader of the Scriptures). By his zeal, enthusiasm and dynamic personality, he restored pride in the hearts of the people for God and country.
The Book of Ezra continues where we left off in Second Kings and Second Chronicles. It records the fulfillment of God's promise to bring His people back to establish them as a nation again. This "exodus" from Babylon has been called "Israel's second exodus". It certainly was far less spectacular than the first. Approx. 3 million Jews were taken into captivity into Babylon, only about 50,000, 2%, returned. Most, who returned, were from the Tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Levi. Some of the other tribes returned later.
Although Ezra is not mentioned as the Author, certainly he is the best candidate. The theme of Ezra is spiritual. moral and social restoration. The book typifies Christ's work of forgiveness and restoration.
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