New Testament History Background
Kareen Groves
Grand Canyon University
BIB 123 New Testament History
January 10, 2010
Background 2 The birth of Jesus called the Christ is indeed, a turning point in the history of man. It is the central theme of events that connects the time of life in which mankind live. For without the birth of Jesus BC and AD as we know it would not have occurred. It would be wise to begin connecting the events time, and place beginning in the time of Ezra to the church age presenting the significant of the work of Ezra and Herod the Great. The Life Application Study Bible states that Ezra the priest is known as one of the remnant who under the authority of Cyrus the Great, the emperor of Persia allowed to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild the City. It is clear that during this returned, most of the foreign people returned to Jerusalem with the Jews and thus intermarriage became a commonplace. God was not pleased with the Jews concerning this behavior. God spoke through the prophet that he will punish Jews to the point that there would be no survivor. Ezra was astonished and couldn’t believe what he was seeing from the people who were captive, the intermarriage that the Israelites had with the pagans. Ezra 9:3 (New International Version). Ezra did tore his garment and robe and plucked out some of his hair off his head and bread. The people who were around him that were avid believers in the words of the God of Israel assembled to Ezra because of those transgressions that were committed. Merrill (2008), Ezra sat until the evening sacrifice stunned and ashamed. At the evening sacrifice he fell on his knees and spread out his hands to God. He couldn’t bear to look up to face God for he was too ashamed and humiliated. He could not believe the guilt of the
Background 3 people. Merrill (2008), states, Ezra said to God, you have delivered us from slavery, never forsaken us, you have gave us mercy and received us, but look at us we have forsaken your commandments. Ezra stated the land you are entering it posses in an unclear land with the uncleanness of the people, their abominations have filled the land up, it is now impure. Ezra cried out God has punished us less than our iniquities deserve, has given us deliverance. Here we are before you in air guilt and no one can stand before you because of this (intermarriage pagans). The people gathered while Ezra was praying weeping and confessing. Ezra called for them it makes a covenant with our God to put away all these wives and those who have been born to them. At this time Herod the Great was the King of Jerusalem. He was said to have been married from the Jews family. So when Jesus was born, he
