J. BRIAN TUCKER
OUTLINE
Introduction
I. Returns of the Exiles and Restoration of the Temple (1:1–6:22)
A. Initial Return of the Exiles (1:1-11)
1. Proclamation of Cyrus (1:1-4)
2. Leadership of Sheshbazzar (1:5-11)
B. Initial List of the Exiles Who Returned (2:1-70)
C. Renewal of Ritual and Worship (3:1-13)
1. Restoration of the Altar and Sacrifices (3:1-7)
2. Reconstruction of the Foundations of the Temple (3:8-13)
D. Opposition to God’s Renewing Work (4:1-24)
1. Opposition During the Time of Cyrus (4:1-5)
2. Imperial Oppositions (4:6-24)
E. Prophetic and Political Events and the Temple (5:1-17)
F. Imperial Protection and the Completion of the Temple (6:1-22)
1. Record of the Decree of Cyrus Found in Ecbatana (6:1-7)
2. Decree of Darius (6:8-12)
3. Temple Finished and Dedicated (6:13-18)
4. First Observance of the Passover (6:19-22)
II. Return of Ezra and Reformation of the People (7:1–10:44)
A. Ezra’s Journey to Jerusalem Under the Authorization of Persia (7:1-28)
1. Journey from Babylon to Jerusalem (7:1-10)
2. Imperial Authorization for Ezra’s Mission (7:11-28)
B. Ezra’s Return to Jerusalem (8:1-36)
C. Threat of Mixed Marriages to Covenant Identity (9:1-15)
1. Mixed Marriages Among the Community (9:1-5)
2. Ezra’s Confession of the Community’s Sins (9:6-15)
D. Communal Reformation and Renewal (10:1-44)
1. Consent of the Community to End Mixed Marriages (10:1-17)
2. Listing of Those Implicated in Mixed Marriages (10:18-44)