What can we learn from Ezra?

Study the Word, put it into practice, then teach it: Ezra’s order is that of every true servant (7:10). Our conduct must back up our confession: Ezra chose to fast rather than contradict his faith before the king (8:22-23). The sin of God’s people should break our hearts; the intercessor says “we,” not “they” (9:6). Reading the Word is not enough: it must be explained so that it is understood and produces joy (Neh 8:8-10).

Return from exile, Persian Empire · arrives in Jerusalem in 458 BC

Ezra in the Bible

The scribe who brought the people back to the law. Name meaning: “Help” or “helper”

A priest descended from Aaron and a scribe skilled in the law of Moses, Ezra leaves Babylon with the backing of King Artaxerxes to teach the law of God in Jerusalem. A man of prayer and fasting, he leads a caravan loaded with offerings, fights the unfaithfulness of marriages to pagan peoples, and, with Nehemiah, reads the law publicly at a remarkable revival. He embodies the people’s return to the written Word.

Main books: Ezra, Nehemiah

Key moments

Leaves Babylon with the backing of King Artaxerxes Ezra 7:6
Sets his heart to study, practice, and teach the law Ezra 7:10
Proclaims a fast by the river Ahava Ezra 8:21
Arrives in Jerusalem, protected from every ambush Ezra 8:31–32
Tears his garments at the people’s unfaithfulness Ezra 9:3
Makes the leaders swear to renounce pagan marriages Ezra 10:5
Reads the law before all the people at the Water Gate Nehemiah 8:3
Leads a choir at the dedication of the walls Nehemiah 12:36

Strengths

Love of the Word
Consistency between faith and conduct
Humility
Intercession
Integrity

Weaknesses

Scripture charges him with no fault. We may note, however, that the reform he led against pagan marriages did not last: a generation later, Nehemiah had to fight the same compromises (Neh 13:23-25).

Lessons for today

Study the Word, put it into practice, then teach it: Ezra’s order is that of every true servant (7:10).
Our conduct must back up our confession: Ezra chose to fast rather than contradict his faith before the king (8:22-23).
The sin of God’s people should break our hearts; the intercessor says “we,” not “they” (9:6).
Reading the Word is not enough: it must be explained so that it is understood and produces joy (Neh 8:8-10).

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

Ezra 7:10

For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.

Ezra 8:22

And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.

Ezra 9:6

People around Ezra

Artaxerxes — King of Persia who sent him with a letter of commission
Nehemiah — Governor with whom he led the revival
Aaron — Ancestor of his priestly line
Shechaniah, son of Jehiel — The man who encouraged him to act against the unfaithfulness
The Levites — Co-workers who explained the law to the people

Stories with Ezra

Quiz: how well do you know Ezra?

How does the book of Ezra describe Ezra?

Under which king of Persia did Ezra go up to Jerusalem?

According to Ezra 7:10, to what had Ezra applied his heart?

There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.