Overview of Ezra and Nehemiah

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah were originally one book called Ezra. They are most likely written by Ezra and cover around eighty years of Jewish history. Ezra and Nehemiah are the last historical books before the New Testament picks up around 400 years later. Their purpose is threefold. First, they show that God is sovereign and can work through anyone to fulfill His plans and purposes, even pagan kings like Cyrus. Second, they document the fulfillment of God’s promise that He would return the Israelite captives from Babylon after ­­seventy years (Jeremiah 29:10-14). And thirdly, they describe rebuilding, in the face of opposition, the Temple, the walls of Jerusalem, and the people of Israel spiritually.

Historical Background

Cyrus of Persia overthrew Babylon, where Israelites were being held captive and one year later decreed the Jews to return to Jerusalem. This return occurred in three waves over ninety years and is often called the second exodus. The first wave was led by Zerubbabel in 538 B.C. (Ezra 2:1-2). Ezra led the second wave in 458 B.C. (Ezra 7:6-7), and finally, the third wave was led by Nehemiah in 445 B.C. (Nehemiah 2:5-6). Interestingly, of about 2 to 3 million Jews, only about 50,000 returned.

Ezra

Ezra was a priest, teacher, and scribe directly descended from Aaron. Israel had completed its 70 years in Babylon as prophesied by Jeremiah. God chose Ezra to lead the second return of the Israelites from Babylon. Ezra reminds us three times that God was with him from the beginning to the end of this mission (Ezra 7:6, also see Ezra 7:9, Ezra 7:28). We see four similarities between Ezra’s life and Jesus.  

First, Ezra sought the Word of God and obeyed it. He devoted himself to studying and observing the Law of the Lord and teaching its decrees and laws in Israel (Ezra 7:10). Likewise, Jesus also sought the Word of God and obeyed it. Jesus did nothing unless he saw the Father doing it first (John 5:19).

Second, Ezra was a priest (Ezra 7:11), and Christ served as our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14).

Third, Ezra was a great spiritual reformer who called Israel to repentance (Ezra 7:10). Jesus also called Israel to repent.

Finally, both Ezra and Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Ezra 9:5-15, Luke 19:41-44).

Nehemiah

Nehemiah was a Jew and a high official in the Persian administration. Like Ezra, God was also with Nehemiah (Nehemiah 2:8). Nehemiah’s mission was to complete the wall around the City of Jerusalem, which he accomplished, even under threats from Jerusalem’s enemies.

Jesus and Nehemiah are similar in several ways. First, Nehemiah was a cupbearer to the king (Nehemiah 1:11-2:1) and was willing to die for the king in that role. Likewise, Jesus was willing to drink the cup the Father had for Him, and because of that willingness, He died (Matthew 26:39).

Second, Nehemiah wept over the condition of God’s people Nehemiah 1:3,4) as Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-42).

Third, Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. Jesus also was a builder; He laid the foundation for the Church’s walls (Ephesians 2:19-22).

Last, Nehemiah encounters opposition from Israel’s enemies in rebuilding the wall. Jesus, from the beginning of his ministry, encountered resistance from His enemies.

We, as the Church, can be encouraged by Nehemiah. While he was facing enemy opposition, he refused to succumb to their calls for him to quit. He refused to stop building: He said, I am doing a great work, I can’t come down (Nehemiah 6:1-9). We are also under constant enemy opposition. Our circumstances and those around us often call for us to quit. Do not quit EVER. Be like Nehemiah. Speak to the face of the enemy and say, “I am doing a great work, I will not quit.”

The stories of Ezra and Nehemiah offer us another glance at the coming Messiah. They dimly reflect what will soon brightly shine for the world to see: our Savior Jesus Christ. Once again, we see Jesus as the central theme of both the Old Testament and the New.