Background and a Short Outline to Ezra

English Old Testament Bible

Ezra: Rebuilding the Temple

Paul J. Bucknell

Ezra: Introduction | Short outline || Extended outline | Study notes/questions | Revival Ezra9:8-10

Only the Great LORD is able to make the lost saved, the corrupted purified and the forsaken precious. God steps into ancient world events to restore His temple worship. If the first testimony of rebuilding the great temple is insufficient proof of God's power, then the second testimony of changing his people's hearts becomes the sure confirmation of God's glorious work.

I. Rebuilding the Temple (Ezra 1-6)
Ezra 1 The Decree to Rebuild the Temple
Ezra 2 The Returning Exiles
Ezra 3 The Temple Restoration Begins
Ezra 4 The Adversaries Halt Restoration
Ezra 5 The Resumption of the Restoration
Ezra 6 The Temple is Completed

II. Purifying the People (Ezra 7-10)
Ezra 7 Ezra is Appointed by King Artaxerxes
Ezra 8 Ezra Leads the Exiles to Jerusalem
Ezra 9 Ezra Intercedes on Behalf of Israel
Ezra 10 Ezra Purifies the People

Remember there was a _______ year gap between chapters 6 and 7.

As we look forward into time, we find that the Israelites never could find a true fulfillment for the OT promises of a king with real power. In 2 Samuel 7:12-17 the LORD promised a king from David's line that would rule forever.

From the exile on right up to the time of Jesus, the people were always under foreign domination. The temple became a focal point, but also a point of frustration. In Jesus' time, many were looking to overthrow the foreign armies in Jerusalem. King Herod even had one garrison lodged right at the edge of the temple court that his father had greatly expanded starting in 19 BC.

In the end we see that the old temple was going to come down. A new one would be built. This new temple would be built on the third day. The Lord Jesus Christ, a descendant of David, fulfilled this and other prophecies. The second temple was destroyed in 70 AD. Yet Christ reigns forever!

"Jesus answered and said to them,
"Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

The Jews therefore said,
"It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?"

But He was speaking of the temple of His body."

(John 2:19-21).

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Scriptures typically quoted from the New American Standard Bible unless noted: (C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1988

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Background and a Short Outline to Ezra

English Old Testament Bible

Paul J. Bucknell

Ezra: Introduction | Short outline || Extended outline | Study notes/questions | Revival Ezra9:8-10

Remember there was a _______ year gap between chapters 6 and 7.

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