◄ Ezra 3 Devotional Commentary ►

Ezra 3:4

What a joy it must have been for Ezra and those who returned with him to Jerusalem at the end of Israel's 70 year-long exile, to start rebuilding the city and sanctuary in Jerusalem. Ezra was the scribe who diligently recorded the proclamation made by Cyrus to build the Lord a house in Judah, and he conscientiously documented the king's decision to restore the Temple treasures and artifacts, stolen by Nebuchadnezzar.

Ezra was very read more...

Ezra 3:8

The people of Judah had been exiled in Babylon for 70 years, but as Scripture foretold, Cyrus the Great issued a proclamation at the end of the 70-year long exile. He explained that the Lord, the God of heaven, had appointed him to build Him a house at Jerusalem in the land of Judah, and at that time, the Jews were permitted to return to their promised homeland, to carry out the rebuilding work.

Although Israel were back in the read more...

Ezra 3:10

After 70 years of exile from their land, the people of Israel returned with Ezra after the edict to rebuild the Temple was signed by Cyrus the Great. The Babylonian exile occurred because the kings of Judah, the priests, and the people, had become idolatrous. They had strayed far from the Lord and had to be punished for breaking their covenant. But God in His grace determined to bring His people back after the 70 years - as we read in the books of Jeremiah and read more...