The Book of Ezra (2022 edition)
Abstract
The book of Ezra offers a three-fold thematic scheme that supports the central claim of the Pentateuch, the claim found in Deuteronomy 6:4 and known to the Jews as “the Shema,” a verse that declares the God of Israel is one, true and living God, a theme that undergirds all of the historical books as well. Thus, the foundational theme of Ezra is the central claim of the Pentateuch, a theme shared by all books of the Holy Scriptures. The secondary, structural theme of the book of Ezra supports the primary theme of the historical books by offering the testimony of God’s covenant love to make provision for Israel’s redemption by returning them from Babylonian captivity as they are called to persevere against persecutions as supporting evidence that YHWH is the true and living God. The third, imperative theme of the book of Ezra states that Israel loved the Lord their God with all of their strength by obeying Him in rebuilding the Temple and instituting its services amidst persecutions. Because the rebuilding of the Temple is a type and figure of the New Testament Church, the application of the third theme for today’s reader is a similar message to persevere in the midst of persecutions in the Christian journey. The New Testament believer is to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit for God’s direction in his daily life in order to persevere.