Exploring Ezra: The Secret of Spiritual Success

by Kieran Beville

Publisher:

Day One

, 2004

Overview

Exploring Ezra challenges the complacency of contemporary Christian culture and calls for greater commitment to Christ's commission. Creative in its presentation of solid Christian truths, Exploring Ezra shows the Old Testament book in a new light. It is infused with a pastoral passion to see the truth of God's Word understood and applied. As such, it is a book that helps to foster Christian growth and godliness. It traces the homecoming journey of God's people, from bondage to blessing, under the leadership of one of Israel's greatest historical heroes.

It treats a diverse range of Biblical and theological themes (including the sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture and the centrality of preaching) in a fresh and forthright manner with a voice that is both authentic and authoritative. Reverent in handling Scripture, readable in style, and relevant in its message, this book is a thought-provoking, vivid work which establishes the author as a standard-bearer for the relevance of the ancient text in the contemporary context. The study questions make it a practical ministry tool for pastors, teachers, and church members who desire to go a little deeper.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Ezra is primarily a book that presents the sovereign God superintending history.” (Page 5)

“The book of Ezra gives us an eternal perspective by setting apparently secular events in spiritual context. Thus it enables us to see that God is sovereign and is never outsmarted nor outmanoeuvred. He can cause empires to do his bidding and orchestrate events to the fulfilment of his own will (Eph. 1:11–12).” (Pages 16–17)

“We should note that wherever God is at work there will be opposition but ultimately God will prevail. His plans and purposes will never be thwarted no matter how bleak the situation may appear.” (Page 17)

“Ezra is a narrative that centres on the redemptive history of God’s people and it is best understood as a work that seeks to portray this. It is about political emancipation, geographical relocation, spiritual restoration and religious reorganisation. Ezra was a reformer working to God’s blueprint. He sought the re-establishment of the pre-exilic status (religious, institutional, territorial and, perhaps, political). He worked toward seeing the altar and temple re-built, the reintroduction of sacrifices and the observance of feasts in their true spirit. He worked toward preserving the religious identity of God’s people in accordance with the clear commands of God’s Word, particularly in relation to the prohibition of mixed marriages and forbidding unholy associations.” (Pages 9–10)

“There is a tendency for God’s people at difficult times to judge God’s Word in the light of circumstances. This is always flawed because it does not allow for God’s eternal and unchanging power. We sometimes let events interpret God’s Word rather than allowing God’s Word to explain events!” (Page 16)

Product Details

• Title: Exploring Ezra: The Secret of Spiritual Success
• Author: Kieran Beville
• Publisher: Day One Publications
• Publication Date: 2004
• Pages: 150

About Kieran Beville

A native of Limerick, Kieran Beville graduated from University College Cork with a B.A. degree and post-graduate diploma in education. Subsequently, he taught English, history, communications, and media studies before taking up a post in educational management. With a further diploma in Christian studies from Westminster College, Oxford, he completed his theological training in Bryntirion, South Wales. He has been the pastor of Westside Baptist Church in Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland, since 1998. He is married to Ber and has three children.