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Ezra-Nehemiah: A Mentor Commentary is unavailable, but you can change that!

Tiberius Rata, an Old Testament scholar, considers the narrative of the restoration of the Jewish people to its homeland. At the center of these two books of Ezra and Nehemiah are the decrees of two Persian kings, Cyrus and Artaxerxes. We discover a God who is in control of history and the hearts of his people. Yahweh can even work through the lives of secular kings.

Chapters 7–10 which chronicle God’s reformation of His restored people. Ezra introduces God as faithful to His word and a Keeper of His promises. He is the sovereign God who controls history, including Cyrus’ conquests and edict. The Jews are able to return to their homeland and rebuild Jerusalem and their religious center not because of the goodness of Cyrus’ heart, but rather at God’s initiative in stirring Cyrus’ spirit (1:1). The designation “God
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