Ezra picks up where Second Chronicles ends with the time for the remnant of Judah returning to Jerusalem and Judah. There are two returns mentioned in this book, the first under Zerubbabel in which 49,697 people return and the second under Ezra in which another 2,020 people return. With Zerubbabel five words beginning with the letter "D" can explain the work done in the first section of the book. The decree of Cyrus for them to return and build the temple, the determination of the Jews to carry out the decree, the departure of the Jews to fulfill the decree, the disruption of the work and the discovery of the decree of Cyrus. Under Ezra's guidance four words beginning with the letter "C" can explain the work done in the second section of the book. They are Ezra's commission, his company and his communication with Jehovah, plus Ezra's and Israel's commitment to Jehovah. This book reveals God's providence in caring for His people. Without any miraculous intervention being recorded concerning the rise of the Medes and Persians, Cyrus became their ruler. Through His providence, God brought this man to power to perform one act that set him above his fellows; the decree that figures so prominently in the book of Ezra. From the time of God's prophecy in Isaiah 44:28 to it's fulfillment in Ezra there was approximately 173 years.
Nehemiah
Nehemiah had it made, he had a position of ease and affluence in the court of the king, but news was about to come and disrupt Nehemiah's life. He learned that his fellow countrymen back in Jerusalem were having a very tough time. As a matter of fact, many of the people who stayed in the land of captivity were much better off. Nehemiah was a man of compassion and he was greatly upset when he heard this news. After several years Jerusalem was still a war-ruined city, it's wall was still down along with it's gates and the people were having a very rough go of it. Nehemiah wept and mourned when he heard this news.
Nehemiah was not one when he heard such news to think or even say, "Someone" needs to do something about this!" Nehemiah prayed to God for several months about this trouble and then he was willing to approach the king on his people's behalf. Because of his work with the king and God's help, Nehemiah was allowed to go to Jerusalem and help his people. Upon arriving there Nehemiah rested three days and then one night with only his most trusted servants, Nehemiah rode around the city wall to gather first hand information about the work that needed to be done. Only after doing this did Nehemiah announce his plan of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem and set up the gate again. Because he had gathered the information himself he was able to anticipate objections and be prepared to meet them head on. This is a lesson that we need, because many excellent works in religious and, for that matter, secular matters have failed because those who advocated them have been too hasty and poorly informed.
Nehemiah then enlisted the cooperation of others and gave
them an account of God's providential protection which had brought him
to Jerusalem, by no means forgetting the favor of the king. Nehemiah was
able to inspire those to whom he spoke to rise up and build (Nehemiah 2:18).
Nehemiah is an example of what one person of faith, courage and enthusiasm
can do to motivate many people. Because of Nehemiah's faith, courage and
enthusiasm the people had a mind to work and the walls were quickly rebuilt
even in the face of opposition. The people's greatest task was to come
in theform of reforming from their errors and getting their lives right
with God. Ezra read the flaw to the people and made them to understand
it in Nehemiah chapter eight. Because of these two men great things were
done in Israel both physically and spiritually.