prepared him and he strengthened himself according to Jehovah’s hand upon him.—Ezra 7:10, 28; 8:1-14.

Jehovah God provided much-needed material aid, for the financial condition in Jerusalem was not good, and the wealth of those traveling with Ezra was limited. King Artaxerxes and his seven counselors were moved to make a voluntary contribution to be used for buying sacrificial animals and their grain and drink offerings. Furthermore, Ezra was authorized to receive contributions for this purpose in the jurisdictional district of Babylon. If there was any surplus of funds, Ezra and those with him could determine how this might best be used. The vessels for temple service were to be delivered in full to Jerusalem. If needed, additional funds could be obtained from the king’s treasury. The treasurers beyond the River were informed that Ezra could request of them silver, wheat, wine and oil up to a certain amount, and salt without limit, and that his request should be granted promptly. Moreover, the priests and temple workers were exempted from taxation. Additionally, Ezra was empowered to appoint magistrates and judges, and judgment was to be executed upon anyone not obeying God’s law and the law of the king, “whether for death or for banishment, or for money fine or for imprisonment.”—Ezra 7:11-26.

Recognizing Jehovah’s direction in this, Ezra immediately followed through on his commission. He collected the Israelites at the banks of the river Ahava, where he made a three-day inspection of the people. Here he found that, although some priests were among their ranks, not one of the nonpriestly Levites had volunteered, and they were very much needed for service at the temple. Ezra here demonstrated his qualifications as a leader. Undaunted by the situation, he immediately sent a formal embassy to the Jews at Casiphia. These responded well, providing thirty-eight Levites and two hundred and twenty Nethinim. With their families, this no doubt swelled Ezra’s entourage to more than seven thousand.—Ezra 7:27, 28; 8:15-20.

Ezra then proclaimed a fast so as to seek from Jehovah the right way. Ezra did not want to bring the least shadow on Jehovah’s name by requesting an escort after he had expressed to the king his full faith in Jehovah’s protection for his servants, even though his caravan would be carrying great riches. After entreating God, he called in twelve from among the chiefs of the priests and carefully weighed out to them the contribution, which, according to modern-day values, amounted to about $4,800,000, and entrusted it to them.—Ezra 8:21-30.

The hand of Jehovah did prove to be with Ezra and those with him, protecting them from “the enemy in the way,” so that they arrived safely in Jerusalem. (Ezra 8:22) He had no difficulty in getting recognition of the Jews and the priests serving at the temple, to whom he turned over the valuables he had brought.—Ezra 8:31-34.

URGES ISRAEL TO DISMISS FOREIGN WIVES

After offering sacrifices at the temple, Ezra learned from the princes that many of the people, the priests and the Levites who had been living in the land had taken foreign wives. Upon hearing this, Ezra ripped his garment and his sleeveless coat apart, pulled out some of the hair of his head and his beard, and kept sitting stunned until the evening grain offering. Then, falling upon his knees and spreading out his palms to Jehovah, he, in the presence of assembled Israelites, made public confession of the sins of his people, starting with the days of their forefathers.—Ezra 8:35–10:1.

Afterward Shecaniah, speaking in behalf of the people, recommended that they conclude a covenant with Jehovah to dismiss their foreign wives and the children born to them, and then said to Ezra: “Get up, for the matter devolves upon you, and we are with you. Be strong and act.” Accordingly, Ezra had the people take an oath, and word was sent out for all the former exiles to come together at Jerusalem within three days to straighten out this wrong. On that occasion Ezra exhorted those assembled to make confession to Jehovah and to separate themselves from their foreign wives. However, because of the great number of people involved in this transgression, it was not possible to care for everything right then and there, but gradually, in a period of about three months, the uncleanness was cleared out.—Ezra 10:2-17.

WITH NEHEMIAH

Whether Ezra remained in Jerusalem or returned to Babylon is not certain. But the bad circumstances into which the city came, with the corruption that had infected the priesthood, seems to indicate that he was absent. It may be that he was called upon by Nehemiah to return after the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls. We find, at any rate, that he appears on the scene again, where he is shown reading the Law to the congregated people and instructing them. On the second day of that assembly the heads of the people hold a special meeting with Ezra to gain insight into the Law. The festival of booths is held with rejoicing. After the eight days’ observance, Tishri 24 is appointed as a day of abstinence and confession of their sins, with prayer. Under the strong leadership and direction of Ezra and Nehemiah, a “trustworthy arrangement” is made, not by word of mouth this time, but in writing, attested to by seal of the princes, Levites and priests.—Neh. 8:1-9, 13-18; chap. 9.

WRITING

As to Ezra’s writing the Bible books of Chronicles as well as the book bearing his name about 460 B.C.E., he was an indefatigable researcher, with discernment in deciding between various readings of the copies of the Law existing then. He exhibited unusual zeal in searching the official documents of his nation, and it is evidently due to his efforts that we have the accurate record Chronicles gives us. We must remember, however, that he had God’s spirit of inspiration and that God guided him with a view to preserving a great portion of Israel’s history for our benefit.

Ezra’s zeal for righteousness, his prayerful reliance upon Jehovah, his faithfulness in teaching God’s law to Israel and his diligence in advancing true worship make him, as one of the “so great a cloud of witnesses,” a fine example worthy of imitation.—Heb. 12:1.

2. A priest who returned with Zerubbabel from Babylon to Jerusalem in 537 B.C.E.—Neh. 12:1, 13.

EZRA, BOOK OF

The record of the imperial orders to restore Jehovah’s worship among the Jews after the seventy-year desolation of Jerusalem and the account of the work done, despite obstacles, to achieve this. The purpose of the writer was evidently to show how Jehovah fulfilled his promises to restore Israel from captivity to Babylon and reestablish true worship in Jerusalem. He stuck closely to this purpose throughout the book. This is apparently the reason for the omissions of what went on during certain lapses of time, such as between chapters 6 and 7 of the book, for the writer was not trying to give a complete historical account of the times.

WRITER

Ezra, as a priest, scholar, skilled copyist and a man who had “prepared his heart . . . to teach in Israel regulation and justice” and to correct the things wanting in the worship of Jehovah as carried on among the repatriated Israelites, was eminently qualified to write the book bearing his name. The royal power granted to him by the king of Persia would give him added reason and authority to do the research necessary, and it would be logical for such a man to write a record of this important segment of