Zerubbabel (Governor)
Category: Perseverance in rebuilding amidst opposition
Could avoid: Remain comfortable in Babylon rather than face hardship in Jerusalem.
“Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin… prepared to go up and build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem.” (Ezra 1:5)
Cross-Refs: Haggai 1:14; Zechariah 4:9–10.
Chose: Led the rebuilding of the temple.
“Then Zerubbabel… began to build the house of God in Jerusalem.” (Ezra 5:2)
Cross-Refs: Ezra 3:8; Matthew 1:12–13.
Endured: Opposition, threats, discouragement, delays.
“Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building.” (Ezra 4:4)
Cross-Refs: Nehemiah 4:7–8; Acts 14:22.
Why: Believed God’s Spirit, not human might, would complete the work.
“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 127:1; Philippians 1:6.
Result: Temple rebuilt and dedicated.
“The elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper… They finished building the temple according to the command of the God of Israel.” (Ezra 6:14)
Cross-Refs: Haggai 2:9; John 2:19–21.
Jeshua (High Priest)
Category: Faithful priesthood & spiritual restoration
Could avoid: Live in Babylon without bearing the weight of priestly duty.
“Then Jeshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests began to build the altar of the God of Israel.” (Ezra 3:2)
Cross-Refs: Haggai 1:12; Zechariah 3:1.
Chose: Rebuilt the altar and restored sacrifices.
“Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings.” (Ezra 3:3)
Cross-Refs: Numbers 28:3; Hebrews 9:11–12.
Endured: Fear of hostile neighbours, spiritual opposition.
“Despite their fear of the peoples around them…” (Ezra 3:3)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 56:3–4; 2 Timothy 1:7.
Why: Desired to restore covenant worship.
“They sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the LORD, both the morning and evening sacrifices.” (Ezra 3:3)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 29:38–39; Romans 12:1.
Result: Worship re-established in Jerusalem.
“With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: ‘He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.’” (Ezra 3:11)
Cross-Refs: 2 Chronicles 5:13; Hebrews 13:15.
The Returned Exiles
Category: Collective endurance in worship & identity
Could avoid: Stay in Babylon where life was easier.
“Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem.” (Ezra 1:3)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 137:1–4; Hebrews 11:15–16.
Chose: Returned to rebuild and restore worship.
“Then the people began to build the altar of the God of Israel to sacrifice burnt offerings on it.” (Ezra 3:2)
Cross-Refs: Nehemiah 8:1; Psalm 126:1–2.
Endured: Hardship of travel, poverty, hostile neighbours, discouragement.
“With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD… and many of the older priests and Levites wept aloud when they saw the foundation.” (Ezra 3:11–12)
Cross-Refs: Haggai 2:3–4; 2 Corinthians 4:16–18.
Why: Longed for God’s presence and covenant restoration.
“For seven days they celebrated with joy the Festival of Unleavened Bread, because the LORD had filled them with joy.” (Ezra 6:22)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 85:6; Matthew 5:6.
Result: Temple rebuilt, worship restored, joy renewed.
“Then the people of Israel… celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy.” (Ezra 6:16)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 122:1; Revelation 21:3.
Ezra the Scribe
Category: Devotion to God’s Word & reform through teaching
Could avoid: Remain a private scholar in Babylon.
“This Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses.” (Ezra 7:6)
Cross-Refs: Nehemiah 8:1; Malachi 2:7.
Chose: Set his heart to study, obey, and teach the Law.
“Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” (Ezra 7:10)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 119:97; Matthew 28:20.
Endured: Long journey, threats of enemies, heavy reform responsibilities.
“I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road.” (Ezra 8:22)
Cross-Refs: Nehemiah 2:9; Psalm 121:7–8.
Why: Trusted God’s hand and sought holiness for the people.
“The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him.” (Ezra 8:22)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 33:18; 1 Peter 1:15–16.
Result: Law restored, sin confronted, covenant renewed.
“They made a covenant to put away these women and their children, in accordance with the counsel of my lord.” (Ezra 10:3)
Cross-Refs: Nehemiah 9:1–3; James 1:22.