Many Jews felt no attachment to Judah and saw Ezra and Nehemiah as divisive troublemakers.

The people and Priesthood brought “Judaism” and the Synagogue system with them from Babylon.

Isaiah’s prophecy not only predicted Judah’s return but that King Cyrus would free them.

Cyrus allowed the Jews to go home, rebuild the Temple, and worship God—but not to have their own king.

There was an ideological schism between Jews who stayed behind and those who returned.

As the Jews started building, the locals threatened them and then bribed Persian officials to stop them.

The Jews persisted for several generations to rebuild the Temple and the walls of Jerusalem.

After 35 years of no work on the Temple, the prophet Haggai chastises the Jews to resume building.

From the day that the Jews began working in a ritually clear manner, God blessed His people abundantly.

Through Zechariah’s oracle, God told the Jews to return to Him, and then He would return to them.

Darius confirms that Cyrus gave the Jews permission to rebuild and gives them back all stolen implements.

Priests and Levites are ritually cleansed so that Passover can be celebrated with joy the next month.

Ezra returns as chief examiner of the Temple with a new position as teacher of the Torah.

Ezra had authority to go to Judah, establish the Law of Moses on all Jews, and appoint judges.

Ezra’s journey to Jerusalem was much like leaving Egypt to go to the land promised to Abraham.

Chapters 8 and 9 deal with foreigners who worship false gods and become part of Hebrew families.

The key to know how to obey God’s laws is to find the principle and follow the spirit of the law.

Ezra tells the people what they did not want, or expect, to hear—God’s great anger against them.

The people veered far away from Torah, and they needed to renew the Covenant of Moses.

Ezra demanded a vow from the people and that the only solution was to dissolve the mixed marriages.

The book of Ezra forces us to decide which we desire more: the praise of men or the approval of God.