A Journey through the Bible with Tiglath

74. The Book of Ezra, chapter 7 to end.

The remaining chapters of Ezra tell us about the leader Ezra and how he tried

to bring the Jews back to the worship of the true God. They also tell us

something of the character of King Artaxerxes. We also learn that in those

ancient days people believed that God lived in particular places. Chapter 7

begins by introducing us to Ezra. Verse 6 tells us that he was a scribe skilled

in the laws of Moses. He was much thought of by King Artaxerxes. Ezra

conducted a party of exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. Ezra was determined

to teach the statutes and ordinances of the Lord in Israel (v. 10). Verses 11 -

26 is a copy of the letter which Artaxerxes gave to Ezra. Do read it, as it is

self explanatory.

Chapter 8 begins by telling us of the people who went with Ezra to Babylon.

They gathered by a river before setting off. Ezra was ashamed to ask the king

to provide soldiers to protect them on their journey as they had told him that:

‘The hand of our God is for good upon all that seek him, and the power and

his wrath is against all that forsake. So we fasted and besought our God for

this and he listened to our entreaty.' (v 22, 23). In v 24 - 30 we see Ezra

weighing out silver, gold and offerings for the Temple in Jerusalem, where

the party arrived safely. the treasure they had brought with them was handed

over to the temple authorities. Chapter 8 ends with a description of sacrifices of thank!; to God for their safe arrival in Jerusalem.

In chapter 9 Ezra learns of the extent of the

marriages of .Jewish men with pagan women

from other tribes. V 3 states: ‘When I heard this I

rent my garments and my mantle, and pulled hair

from my head and beard.' The remainder of the

chapter describes the prayer of Ezra to God

asking for forgiveness for the sins of his people.

Chapter 10 describes how Ezra called all the people

together. They promised to get rid of their pagan

wives. They also promised to return to the worship of the true God.

In the next part of our journey we meet Nehemiah, cup bearer to King Artaxerxes.