Ezra Studies

Essays on recent developments in Pound scholarship and research, including newly available primary sources and methodological advances in cognate fields.

The Knowing the Bible series is a resource designed to help Bible readers better understand and apply God's Word. These 12-week studies lead participants through books of the Bible and are made up of four basic components: (1) reflection questions help readers engage the text at a deeper level; (2) "Gospel Glimpses" highlight the gospel of grace throughout the book; (3) "Whole-Bible Connections" show how any given passage connects to the Bible's overarching story of redemption, culminating in Christ; and (4) "Theological Soundings" identify how historic orthodox doctrines are taught or reinforced throughout Scripture. With contributions from an array of influential pastors and church leaders, these gospel-centered studies will help Christians see and cherish the message of God's grace on every page of the Bible. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah tell of God's steadfast love toward Israel after their return from exile. The Lord rasied up Ezra and Nehemiah to reestablish the nation by rebuilding the temple and city walls and by turning the people back to his Word. In this 12-week study, Kathleen Nielson shows readers God's mercy and faithfulness demonstrated in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, encouraging Christians toward sincere repentance and persevering hope. Part of the Knowing the Bible series.

The history books Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther contain records of life during the 70-year captivity of the children of Israel, as well as records of their return to Jerusalem after the captivity. Ezra records the return to rebuild the House of God; Nehemiah records the return to rebuild the walls and gates of Jerusalem; and Esther records an attempt in Shushan, during the reign of the Persian King Ahasuerus, to wipe out all Jews. Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther all faced adversaries to the Lord's work and to the Lord's people. As with all projects of the Lord, adversaries set up roadblocks to hinder their success. The House of God, the walls, and the gates were successfully completed, and the whole Jewish people were saved from destruction. The Lord God insured that projects were completed, enemies were stifled, and the children of Israel remained safe!

Journey inside the pages of Scripture to meet a personal God who enters individual lives and begins a creative work from the inside out. Shaped with the individual in mind, Immersion encourages simultaneous engagement both with the Word of God and with the God of the Word to become a new creation in Christ. Immersion, inspired by a fresh translation—the Common English Bible—stands firmly on Scripture and helps readers explore the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs of their personal faith. More importantly, they’ll be able to discover God’s revelation through readings and reflections.

The six essays in this book explore ibn Ezra's multifaceted work and intellectual legacy. They illuminate his exegetical methodology; the role of astrology in his work; his philological insights into the Hebrew language; the possibility of his influence on the great Jewish philosopher and jurist Maimonides; and modern Jewish perspectives on him.