Unlocking the Bible by J. David Pawson M.A. B.Sc & Andy Peck

Author:J. David Pawson, M.A., B.Sc & Andy Peck
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780007378920
Publisher: HarperCollins

Return number I, under Zerubbabel, focuses on the rebuilding of the temple, though this was sporadic. It took the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to get it going again. Return number II focuses on the reform of the people. Return number III led to the rebuilding of the walls, renewing the covenant and again, the reform of the people. Every time it seems as if the people forgot about the sins that had lost them their land.

It is even more remarkable to notice the structure of the two books. The first section in each book has two sub-sections, the second has three, the third has three, and the fourth has two (listed as ‘a’, ‘b’ and ‘c’ in the chart above). It is a remarkable structure. It has been planned very carefully and is beautifully composed and balanced, strongly suggesting that one man, probably Ezra, was the author of both.

There is one other remarkable parallel. Chapter 9 in both cases is an amazing prayer, when both Ezra and Nehemiah confessed national sins. The two chapters are especially important in both books.

Ezra – the book

An outline of the book

Return I (chapters 1–2)

Cyrus: The decree to build the temple (1)

Zerubbabel and co. ‘go up’ (2)

Rebuild (3–6)

Joshua: The altar and the temple foundations (3)

Artaxerxes: A letter is received (4)

Darius: Letters are received and sent (5–6)

Return II (7–8)

Ezra and co. ‘go up’ (7)

Artaxerxes: A letter is sent (7)

The Levites ‘go up’ (8)

Reform (9–10)

Private intercession (9)

Public confession (10)

Historical background

The historical background to Ezra is as follows. Cyrus was the Persian ruler who had conquered Babylon. He was the ruler of the major world power in the eastern end of the Fertile Crescent. But he was a very benevolent man and he had a policy of kindness towards conquered peoples. It is interesting that as far back as Isaiah, God had said that his anointed servant Cyrus would bring his people back from exile. Many scholars can’t believe that Isaiah could possibly have known the name, and insist that the text was written up after the event. But God knew the name of the man. From archaeological records we know that Cyrus told all the captive peoples in Babylon that they could return to their lands and rebuild their religions, providing that they prayed to their gods for him. So we see God’s hand in the timing, for the 70 years are now up.

Return I (chapters 1–2)

In the Book of Ezra you have the first return under Zerubbabel and a rebuilding of the temple. There is then the return under Ezra and the reform of the people. One of the saddest features of both books is that when the people got back, they quickly returned to their sinful practices. Isn’t it tragic! It had cost them their land, they had been away from home for 70 years, and yet when they got back they started ignoring the commandments of God. How quickly people forget.

As we have noted, Zerubbabel was the grandson of Jehoiachin and therefore in the royal line of David.

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