Yes, today we will look at the book of Ezra together. When we read the book of Ezra, we might find it a bit difficult. One of the reasons for this is that although the book is named after Ezra, he only appears in chapter 7. Chapters 1 to 6 are not about Ezra at all. So what are chapters 1 to 6 about? They are about the events before Ezra was born.
In Ezra 1:1, it says, "In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing." You know this story, right? This is the account of King Cyrus sending the people of Israel to build God's temple, which is mentioned in Ezra 1. Then in verse 2, it says, "Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: 'The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.'" So the people of Israel build the temple. Therefore, chapters 1 to 6 are about the construction of the temple.
Yes. Finally, in chapter 7, God brings Ezra onto the scene. So this is the passage we read earlier: "After these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah, appeared." Here, Ezra's genealogy is mentioned as he is introduced. It seems that God dramatically introduces Ezra. Why does God spend the first six chapters talking about the construction of the temple and then suddenly, in chapter 7, introduce Ezra so magnificently by recounting his genealogy? What could be the reason?