Word In Life Study Bible
THE SCRIBE AND THE CUPBEARER
EzraIntro
The work of Ezra and Nehemiah was made possible when a coalition of Persians, Medes, and Scythians captured Babylon in 539 a.d., bringing the Babylonian empire to an end (see Dan. 5:30–31, and “The Persians” at Ezra 1:8). The Persian king Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to their homeland (see Ezra 1:1).
Most of the Jews seem to have chosen to remain in Mesopotamia. But many thousands went back, in three major waves (see Ezra 2:1). It was during the second of these journeys (458 a.d.) that Ezra returned (Ezra 7:1–9), and the third return was led by Nehemiah (444 a.d.; Neh. 2:1–9).
Ezra and Nehemiah are two of the four Jewish leaders in the Old Testament who held positions of authority in pagan governments after the exile. The other two are Esther (see Esth. 2:7) and Daniel (see Dan. 1:6). All four used their influence to aid their people, and this suggests that there are several ways to bring about institutional change:
• Ezra’s position in Babylon was probably like a secretary of state for Jewish affairs. He answered to a pagan government, but he was not really part of that government. Eventually he left his position in Persia and returned to Jerusalem to direct the work of rebuilding the temple. Thus Ezra was able to use the system to advantage without having to identify fully with it.
• As the cupbearer of King Artaxerxes I, Nehemiah had unparalleled access to the supreme decision maker. He was part of the inner circle of the king’s confidants. Twice he was sent to Judah to serve as governor, but he appears to have retained his strategic contacts back in Persia. Thus Nehemiah was able to accomplish the rebuilding of the wall by cooperating with the system.
• Esther became the queen of the Persian king Ahasuerus. This alone did not give her influence at court, but the fact that the king favored her did. Using her unique placement in the kingdom, she foiled the wicked plot of a government official against her people. In essence, she “beat the system” because of her connections, not through any authority that she possessed.
• Daniel spent his entire career working for pagan kings and governments (see “Daniel—Advisor to Kings” at Dan. 1:19). As far as we know, he never returned to his homeland. Yet he was probably the most powerful Jew of the entire period of the exile and its aftermath. He may also have had the most far-reaching impact. Daniel is a model of remaining in the system and working through it, trusting God to accomplish His purposes.
Study notes from the Word In Life Study Bible, copyright 1993,1996, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. The study notes from the Word In Life Study Bible appearing at this web site are for personal use only.
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