Bible Study Sunday | Ezra

Good morning friends! I hope your Sunday is off to a great start. Today, I’m kicking off what I pray will be a new feature on my blog: Bible Study Sunday!

For transparency’s sake, please know that I am not your typical pastor or Bible teacher. While I did study Christian ministry for my undergrad, my main theological education is from the Seminary of Hard Knocks. Like others, I’ve experienced the highs and lows of life and ministry. Through it all, I’ve seen God faithfully work around me, through me, and despite me. My faith is built on grit and grace.

Earlier this week when I asked the Holy Spirit to guide me to what Bible book I should read and study, He promptly directed me to Ezra.

Why Ezra, I wondered?

The story of Ezra recounts the history of the return of the Jewish people from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem, fueled by the decree of King Cyrus of Persia. Ezra focuses on the restoration of the temple and the re-establishment of the spiritual community.

Most likely written by Ezra between 456 and 444 B.C., the book shares the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise to restore Israel to her land after the 70 years of Babylon through the help of three Persian kings (Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes) and Jewish leaders like Zerubbabel, Joshua, Haggai, Zechariah, and Ezra.

In the first part of the book (Ezra 1-6), the narrative describes the miraculous return of a remnant of the Israelites under the leadership of Zerubbabel. With God’s guidance, the Israelites begun rebuilding the Altar and the Temple in the face of opposition from neighboring peoples. They laid the foundation of the Temple, celebrated with great joy, and completed its construction.

The second part (Ezra 7-10) focuses on Ezra himself, a priest and scribe who was well-versed in the Law of Moses. He received permission from King Artaxerxes to return to Jerusalem with a group of exiles. Ezra’s mission was to teach the people about the Law and reform the community’s spiritual practices. Upon his arrival, Ezra encountered intermarriage among the people, leading to a significant spiritual reform that saw the Israelites repent and renew their covenant with God.

Throughout the book of Ezra, the themes of restoration, faithfulness to God, and the importance of community are prominently displayed, showing how God remains faithful to His promises even among the challenges we face. As the community rebuilt physically and spiritually, Ezra’s leadership emphasized the need for spiritual renewal and adherence to God’s commandments.

How does the book of Ezra help us as Believers today?

The book of Ezra offers us valuable lessons and principles that we can apply to our lives today.

Seeking Restoration and Renewal

Just as the Israelites returned from exile to rebuild their lives and faith, people today are also called to seek spiritual restoration. This involves turning away from sin, renewing our commitment to God, and rebuilding a relationship with Him.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Remaining Faithful to God’s Word

Ezra’s devotion to understanding and teaching the Law highlights the importance of knowing and adhering to God’s Word. As Believers, we are encouraged to study the Bible and live by its teachings, remembering that God’s Word is foundational for spiritual growth and ethical living.

Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

The Importance of Community and Worship

The collaborative effort of the Israelites to rebuild the Temple demonstrates the importance of being a community in worship and service to God. Today, Believers are encouraged to engage actively in their local church and support one another in faith.

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Have Courage in the Face of Opposition

From Scripture, it is clear that Ezra and Zerubbabel faced challenges and opposition. However, they remained steadfast in their mission. As Believers today, we encounter difficulties and opposition in our faith journey, yet we are encouraged to remain courageous and steadfast, drawing strength from our trust in God.

Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬ ‭ESV‬

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Repentance and Holiness

Ezra’s confession and the community’s response to sin remind believers of the importance of repentance. Admitting our shortcomings and actively turning back to God fosters spiritual health and integrity.

1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

So Why Ezra, Holy Spirit?

As we read the book of Ezra, we are reminded to engage in personal and communal restoration, encouraged to remain faithful to God’s Word, taught how to support one another, urged to persevere during trials, and inspired to continue seeking holiness through repentance.

Personally, I am reminded that God is not limited by space or time. So often, we get caught up seeing things from our perspective when we need to make room in our hearts so we can see things from God’s point of view. The Lord is the One directing events. It’s His recipe. He’s the One doing the cooking. The Lord is faithful and His love endures forever.

Please hit me up if you have questions or leave a comment below to let me know you’d like to see more Bible studies in the future. Please subscribe to my blog!

Until my next post…

Be salty, stay lit.

Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™

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