Ezra

The Book of Ezra tells the story of the "Second Exodus." After decades of captivity in Babylon, a group of Jewish exiles returns to Jerusalem. The book is divided into two distinct time periods. The first part follows a leader named Zerubbabel. His specific mission is to rebuild the ruined Temple. It wasn't easy; the local people who were living in the land opposed them, and the work stopped for years. Finally, with the encouragement of prophets, the Temple was completed.

The second part of the book takes place about 60 years later. This is when Ezra, a priest and scholar, arrives. He doesn't come to build walls or temples; he comes to build a community. He finds that the people have fallen into sin, particularly by intermarrying with neighbors who worship idols. Ezra is devastated and leads the people in a public confession.

The book is significant because it shifts the focus from a "national identity" (having a king and land) to a "religious identity" based on studying the Law (Torah). Ezra works hard to teach the people the rules of their faith. However, while the Temple was rebuilt and the people were learning, the city of Jerusalem was still undefended and broken physically, which sets the stage for the arrival of Nehemiah.