These small group studies of Ezra contain outlines, cross-references, Bible study discussion questions, verse by verse commentary, and applications. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.
Ezra 1-2 Bible Study Commentary With Discussion Questions
Ezra 1-2 Video Bible Study
Ezra 1-2 Audio Bible Study
Outline
I. Cyrus authorizes the people of Judah to return and build the temple (1:1-4)
II. God stirs a group of people to return and others to help them (1:5-10)
III. List of the families returning and number of people in each family (2)
Background Passages for Reference
Jeremiah 2:14-25 – If Judah chose to break God’s covenant, He would again allow them to be taken into slavery.
2 Kings 17:7-18, Jeremiah 2:7-13 – Judah did commit gross idolatry.
Jeremiah 25:11, 29:10-14 – God promised 70 years of captivity.
Nehemiah 8:1-9, 12:36 – Ezra is a contemporary of Nehemiah.
2 Chronicles 36 – Judah is conquered and exiled to Babylon.
2 Chronicles 36:22-23 – Parallel passage to Ezra 1:1-3a.
I. Cyrus authorizes the people of Judah to return and build the temple (1:1-4)
Discussion Questions
- If Judah was taken captive by Babylon, why do we read here that Cyrus, king of Persia, is in charge? Can anyone fill in the background of what happened in between these events?
- Which book of the Bible writes about Persia’s victory over Babylon? (Daniel)
- What did Cyrus order in verses 1-4?
- Why did he treat the people of Judah so favorably?
- What do we learn about Cyrus and his character from these verses?
- Why would Cyrus even know about the LORD, much less credit his kingdom to Him?
- Who really decided that the people of Judah could go back to the land and rebuild the temple?
- What can we learn about God’s character from these verses?
- Can you notice any similarities between this passage and the Exodus?
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Here, we see that all the prophecies God made through the prophets about Judah’s return to the Promised Land start to be fulfilled. Just like in the book of Exodus and after the Roman destruction of Jerusalem, the people of Israel finally return.
Amazingly, although they were sojourners in a foreign land for 400 years (Exodus), 1900 years (Roman destruction of Jerusalem), and 70 years (exiles in Babylon), God divinely brings them home again. Each time, He brings them home through extraordinary historical events. All of these events were predicted ahead of time. God’s powerful and sovereign hand in bringing about His plan for the nation of Israel is a clear underlying message seen throughout the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.
Visual of the return of the exiles from Babylon. About 900 miles (1450 KM) and 4 months. Created by Study and Obey With Accordance Bible Software
2. God’s chosen instrument was Cyrus. In one of the clearest prophecies in the Bible, Isaiah predicted about 100 years ahead of time that Cyrus would authorize the return to Jerusalem (Isaiah 44:28). From Daniel 6, we see that Daniel had a high position within the Persian kingdom. He served a king who is identified as Darius. Most Bible scholars believe that the term “Darius” is a title something like “Pharaoh” and that the king Daniel served was King Cyrus (See Daniel 6:28. This verse can be translated, King Darius…even Cyrus).
The Jewish historian Josephus wrote that Daniel was Cyrus’ prime minister and that Daniel shared with Cyrus the prophesies that Isaiah made regarding his involvement in Judah’s return. According to Josephus, Daniel’s shining testimony prompted Cyrus to make this decision. Once again, we see that a person who lives righteously without compromising can be used mightily by God.
3. From these verses, we can learn a lot about Cyrus. His attitude contrasts sharply with most powerful kings (Daniel 4:28-30). The well-known phrase that absolute power absolutely corrupts was generally true in those days. Most formidable kings of that day exalted themselves. They were egotistical and prideful, and many claimed to be divine. But note that Cyrus, in verse 2, gives all the credit for his kingdom to God. See the usage of the word “LORD” in all caps. (The all-caps version of LORD means that the Hebrew word for YHWH is used in the original language.) Thus, Cyrus is giving the credit not just to a god or the Persian god but to YHWH. This is an amazing confession. It really shows his humility. Unlike Pharaoh, who resisted God’s commands but was forced to comply, Cyrus is a willing and humble tool in God’s hands.
This teaches us that, like Daniel, we should pray for our leaders. God will use them to accomplish His purposes.
Application: Like Cyrus, we should recognize that whatever we have is given to us by God. No matter how rich or successful we are, those riches and successes came from God. We should not become prideful about what we have. Instead, we must give God the glory and remember to use what we have for Him. In fact, we belong to God anyway, so all of our money, time, and everything we own is His. (1 Peter 2:9)
Can you share an example of a success that God helped you achieve?
4. May his God be with him. This will be a continuing theme throughout this book and also Nehemiah. We see that God was with His people. He disciplined them for 70 years in Babylon. Now, the time for discipline was over, and He was going to restore them to their land. This teaches us a very distinct lesson about God.
5. He is sovereign. The nations and powers around Judah rose and fell. Kings rose up and were conquered. Empires tumbled. But God continued to preserve a remnant of His people, according to His prophesies and perfect will. Cyrus was a willing tool in God’s hand as he sent some of the people back. But even if Cyrus wasn’t willing, it wouldn’t have mattered. God’s prophecies never fail. See Deuteronomy 18:20-22.
6. Besides showing us God’s sovereignty, this passage also demonstrates God’s mercy. The people of Judah had deliberately disobeyed Him over and over and over again. Yet He didn’t cast them out. He didn’t permanently reject them or abandon them.
God’s discipline was temporary. It was meant to teach them a lesson and eventually bring them back to Him again.
Application: The final goal of discipline should always be restoration. Parents should not discipline their children merely to mete out pain or punishment. The temporary pain is for the purpose of restoring the child to right fellowship with God and fellow man and as a warning not to repeat the same sins.
7. Cyrus also asked the Israelites who were not returning to help those who were. I imagine most of them were happy to do this. They wanted to see the land populated again. They couldn’t or wouldn’t go for many reasons but would like to help those who did return. This part is similar to the book of Exodus, where the Israelite’s neighbors gave them gold, silver, and other valuables before they left the land.
Cross-Reference
Isaiah 44:28 – Isaiah prophesies about the rebuilding of Jerusalem, “who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusal