Redemption in Ezra

Though not one of the last books of the Hebrew Scriptures canonically, the book of Ezra records some of the latest history of the Israelites during Old Testament times. The nation of Judah had spent about seventy years in Babylonian slavery because of their sin and rebellion against God. Yet there was hope. God kept His promises and brought the people back to the land of Israel. The struggling remnant under Ezra and Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem and faced the difficult work of rebuilding. However, God was with them.

The theme of redemption in Ezra is highlighted at the beginning of the book by stating that God brought about their return to the land. He “stirred up the spirit” of the Persian king Cyrus to allow them to return (Ezra 1:1-4). The leaders of Judah who returned were those “whose spirit God had stirred to go up and rebuild the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem” (Ezra 1:5).

God is the Redeemer. Ezra knew this when he prayed, “For we are slaves; yet in our bondage our God has not forsaken us, but has extended lovingkindness to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us reviving to raise up the house of our God, to restore its ruins and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem” (Ezra 9:9). They faced many difficulties but the hope of a future Messianic King was still alive. That Messianic King is Christ.

Ben