Post by Lee on Sept 19, 2014 3:00:29 GMT
It is a very strongly established Jewish tradition that Ezra was the instrument used by God to compile the book of Chronicles and to arrange and complete the canon of Scripture. There is no proof of this, but several facts fit in very well with it—
1. This work must have been done around this time. It could not have been earlier or later for this is the end of the historical period of the 0T., and the sun is descending over the prophets, leaving Israel in a darkness that was not dispelled until John came as a "shining and a burning light."
2. Ezra appears to be the most fitting and qualified for this work, and was clearly the leader in teaching the Law of God at this time.
3. Ezra had dedicated himself to— "Seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments."
—and it was for this very purpose of teaching the Law that he had (like Nehemiah later) sought and been granted permission from the king to go with authority to Jerusalem.
4. He is spoken of in terms that appear to indicate a special relationship to the law in the sight of God, as—
"The scribe of the Law of the God of Heaven" (Ez. 7:21).
"Ready (skilled, prepared) scribe in the Law of Moses."
"The scribe of the words of the commandments of the Lord, and of His statutes to Israel" (Ez. 7:11).
1958 Berean p 421
1. This work must have been done around this time. It could not have been earlier or later for this is the end of the historical period of the 0T., and the sun is descending over the prophets, leaving Israel in a darkness that was not dispelled until John came as a "shining and a burning light."
2. Ezra appears to be the most fitting and qualified for this work, and was clearly the leader in teaching the Law of God at this time.
3. Ezra had dedicated himself to— "Seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments."
—and it was for this very purpose of teaching the Law that he had (like Nehemiah later) sought and been granted permission from the king to go with authority to Jerusalem.
4. He is spoken of in terms that appear to indicate a special relationship to the law in the sight of God, as—
"The scribe of the Law of the God of Heaven" (Ez. 7:21).
"Ready (skilled, prepared) scribe in the Law of Moses."
"The scribe of the words of the commandments of the Lord, and of His statutes to Israel" (Ez. 7:11).
1958 Berean p 421