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Ezra Chapter Four

(Outline continues from Day 264)

3. Artaxerxes responded to the letter of Bishlam, Mithredath & Tabeel by ordering a total halt to all building projects in Jerusalem (Ezr. 4:7-23).
   1. The son of Xerxes I, Artaxerxes I (Longimanus) reigned from 464-423BC.
   2. Dispatched Ezra to Jerusalem in 458BC (Ezr. 7).
   3. Allowed his cupbearer Nehemiah to rebuild the city walls in 445BC (Neh. 2:1-8).

Ezra Chapter Seven

1. Chapter 7 describes the mission of Ezra the priest-scribe from Babylon to Jerusalem.
2. Artaxerxes, King of Persia reigned from 464-423BC.
3. Ezra’s priestly lineage is firmly established (Ezr. 7:1-5).
4. Ezra was a mature believer in grace and knowledge (Ezr. 7:6a).
   1. He was blessed with favor in temporal-life politics (Ezr. 7:6b).
   2. He inspired others to follow his leadership (Ezr. 7:7).
   3. The Lord blessed his travels, and guided his path to Jerusalem (Ezr. 7:8-9).
   4. Ezra’s intention was to establish a school of Mosaic Law instruction in Israel (Ezr. 7:10).
5. Artaxerxes commissioned Ezra to start his school, and to place his graduates in political office (Ezr. 7:11-26).
   1. He gives permission for any who desire to go to accompany him (v.13).
   2. He sends a freewill offering from his own treasury & authorizes additional offerings from the Jewish people (vv.14-20).
   3. He authorizes Ezra to draw from the Treasuries in the Provinces beyond the River (vv.21-24).
   4. He instructs Ezra to appoint his graduates as magistrates and judges over civil affairs (vv.25-26).
6. Ezra praised the Lord for the grace He extended and the blessings He provided for his journey (Ezr. 7:27-28).

Ezra Chapter Eight

1. Chapter 8 details the people and wealth that Ezra brought with him to Jerusalem.
2. Ezra took a census of all those with him, recording their lineage (tribal inheritance) (Ezr. 8:2-14).
3. Ezra observed a shortage of Levites, and appealed to Iddo at the “place” (school) of Casiphia (Ezr. 8:15-20).
4. Ezra began the journey by leading a prayer meeting (Ezr. 8:21-23).
5. They divided the wealth between their various groups, and arrived in Jerusalem safely (Ezr. 8:24-32).
6. They successfully delivered their offerings to the temple, and issued King Artaxerxes’ decree to the satraps and governors (Ezr. 8:33-36).