Ezra Bible Study: Rebuilding the Temple, Restoring the Heart

Ezra is a type of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, which means that he typifies the characteristics of the Holy Spirit in many ways. In fact, the name Ezra means “help” and the Holy Spirit is said to be our helper. As we go through this study, I’ll point out some of those characteristics and their parallel to the Spirit at work in our life. We’ll see how he grieves, how he leads, how he teaches, and how he makes intersession for the people in prayer. While Ezra chronicles the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, we also see a parallel to the purification of one’s heart. In fact, the purpose of the 70-year captivity was to do this very thing. It was a process of refining and trying their faith so that God’s people would turn away from their sin and return to the Lord