Bent Oak Church

As we look at the final chapter of the book of Ezra, we ask some hard questions about the book's final image. The book has taken us from the stirring of their hearts by the Spirit to men sitting in the cold rain negotiating the abandonment of wives and children. The final image of Ezra is a complicated question of our unfaithfulness, our need for a plan to fix it, and the tension of what we can never put back together on our own. 

Having arrived in Jerusalem, Ezra discovered that many of the priests and leaders were marrying their foreign neighbors who worshiped pagan Gods. We take a closer look at the situation and Ezra's prayer of intercession. We consider why this sin continually plagued Israel and how Ezra builds our expectations for Christ's intercessions.

Having been introduced to Ezra and his plans to return to Jerusalem and teach the law, we are next given the details of his preparation. Though he returned with a group of Jews, they were small and worried about the dangers of their trip. Ezra wanted to turn their attention back to God. He called for a fast and prayer to overcome their fear. They needed to humble themselves to recognize the hand of God that was on them. 

With Ezra 7, we begin the second story of Israel's return. This return would be led by Ezra, a scholar and expert in the Law. He was commissioned to teach the Jews the Law and to see that they obeyed it. No move of God or church project is complete if it does not include new attention to God's word and a commitment to live it.

With the support of the prophets and a new decree from the king, Israel completed the construction of the temple. They joined together in a new Passover feast that welcomed many of their converted neighbors. We are reminded of God's ability to turn the heart of the Persian king and also God's ability to fill his people with joy. There was gladness for their success, but real joy only comes as a gift from God. 

With progress stopped, God sent prophets to speak to Israel and call them back to their task. We look at the role of the Old Testament prophets and how the words of Haggai and Zacheriah help us learn to respond to God's word in our own day.

After so much progress and celebration, the rebuilding of the temple grinds to a halt. The people became discouraged and afraid of the mounting pressure around them. We take a closer look at how the fear of man can cause us to withdraw from the work of God and how to find courage for our times.

Having arrived back in their land, Israel's first task was to worship. They came together in unity to rebuild the altar and begin the daily sacrifices. We take a closer look at that unity and the priority of worship in our lives and church. 

Ezra chapter two is a list, a long list of names, and a tally of those who returned. The list may be long, but its total represents only a fraction of what Israel had been. It is only a remnant. But still, it is a remnant that has remembered who they are and who God has led them to be. They are a model for any who live through exile. 

In our opening to the book of Ezra, we take a look at the background of the book and how God stirred the hearts of both secular rulers and everyday believers to fulfill his promises. Israel would return to their homeland to rebuild their nation and worship. God was stirring the hearts of people to go and take up the task.