Ezra

The Book of Ezra details the first two waves of Jewish exiles returning from Babylon to Jerusalem after the Persian King Cyrus the Great issued a decree allowing them to go home. The first major focus is the rebuilding of the destroyed Temple. Led by Zerubbabel and encouraged by prophets like Haggai and Zechariah, the people successfully finish the Temple despite local opposition. The second part of the book focuses on Ezra, a godly priest and scribe who leads the second group of returnees. Ezra finds the people have intermarried with surrounding pagan neighbors, threatening their spiritual identity. He leads a powerful spiritual revival, emphasizing the importance of studying and obeying the Law of God to maintain their covenant relationship.