The book of Ezra is not the most studied and beloved biblical text. On the contrary, for many, it is an unknown book. While Nehemiah is the hero of studies and books on leadership, his friend and contemporary Ezra is ignored.
There is no doubt that the book of Ezra is an inaccessible text, with a protagonist whose character does not reflect the most valued virtues today. Ezra was a priest, and we live in a world that places little importance on the clergy. He was somewhat introverted and prone to discouragement, whereas the heroes of our generation are men of action, self-confident, who would never lock themselves in their room to weep as he did. Ezra had strong convictions that the permissive society in which we live would consider uncompromising.
The book of Ezra covers a period from the reign of Cyrus to that of Artaxerxes, nearly ninety years. Within this period, some parts of the book of Daniel and the entirety of the books of Nehemiah, Esther, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi fall. The study of Ezra forces us to delve into these other books. The reading of the prophets is not understandable without the historical background of Ezra; but the reading of Ezra is superficial if the historical facts narrated in it are not illuminated by the spiritual message of the prophets.
