Lent

Good Friday Reflection: Ezra-Nehemiah

Nathan Baker | April 15, 2022
Post Icon
INTRODUCTION

In a series of articles during Lent, we’ll focus on God's words to His people through the prophets. The story of the descendants of Abraham climaxes in the fulfillment of God's warnings to them through the prophets: that if they did not obey His commands, He would send them into exile, putting them at the mercy of other nations. These messages are accusations of sin, calls for righteousness, and finally, promises of hope in a future redemption. (Learn more about the exile.)

Nehemiah’s chest was still heaving, spittle still stuck in his beard. He had chased the half-breed infidels off. Bits of their hair were still stuck between his knuckles. For the third time, as he watched his life’s work unravel before his eyes, Nehemiah lifted his head to the roof with tears in his eyes and yelled, “Remember me, O God! Remember me for the good I tried to do!”

This is how the return from exile ends. When a dream dies, it kills part of us with it. The collective story of Ezra-Nehemiah (originally one story written on one scroll) reminds us of the limits of reform. A political, religious, and private sector leader set out to lead their people out of exile and, by sheer force of will and religious zeal, bring God back to their nation. It doesn’t work.

Exile had always been “a death to make way for a rebirth.”

Exile had always been “a death to make way for a rebirth.”[1] Whether Adam and Eve stumbling away from Eden, or the Hebrews crying for rescue in Egypt, the story of exile has always been about learning hard lessons while hoping for a new future. Yet now, a group of God’s people were allowed to return to their Promised Land, fewer in number than ever.

The stories of Zerubabbel, Ezra, and Nehemiah started off great. As prophesied by Jeremiah (2 Chron 36:22), the kings in power were now legislating and even funding Israel’s return to Jerusalem. To control their empire and promote peace through a kind of religious liberty, the Persians allowed conquered nations like Egypt, Greece, and Israel to restore their religious practices.[2] It is hard to imagine the relief and excitement they must have felt. Finally, God was back on their side!

Zerubabbel led the people back and rebuilt the temple. Ezra taught the people God’s word and saw fruit. Nehemiah rebuilt the wall. Yet, despite God’s promises that all nations would worship him in Jerusalem, outsiders were chased off (Ezra 4:1-5; Neh 13:8), families were split apart (Ezra 10:10-11:44; Neh 13:23-25), and, unlike before, God’s Spirit did not return to dwell in the rebuilt temple (Ezra 3:11-13). In fact, one of these interracial, Samaritan families built their own temple to worship Yahweh (John 4:20-22) in this period after they were marginalized by Nehemiah and company. This was their new normal.

Even after all the foretold blessings and curses had come, even after they had returned to their Promised Land, nothing had changed the condition of the human heart. Still, they were waiting on something no legislation, no amount of funding, not even limitless moral effort could provide . . . a heart not bent on self-centeredness and self-destruction, a heart able to follow God.

  • Watch: To learn more, you can watch the Bible Project video on Ezra-Nehemiah.
  • Listen: Nehemiah 9, 10, 13

This series is adapted from a Lent devotion from Nathan and Tessa Baker.

[1] Derek Kidner, Ezra and Nehemiah: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 12, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1979), 15.
[2] Kidner, 21.

Never miss an episode, article, or study.

Sign up for the CFC newsletter now!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

  • Lent
  • Readers Choice Nominees 2022
Nathan Baker

Nathan and Tessa serve as missionaries in southwest Madagascar. They have three children, ages 5 months to 5 years. They love watching the story of God’s Word transform lives.

More to Explore

Never miss an episode, article, or study.

Sign up for the Christ and Culture newsletter now!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.