"These things"(v. 1) refers to the events of the first return that the writer described in chapters 1-6.
Ezra's genealogy (vv. 1-5) shows that he was a man of importance whom his fellow Jews would have respected. He was a descendant of Aaron, the first high priest of Israel (v. 5). There are gaps in this genealogy (cf. 1 Chron. 6:3-15). "Son of"occasionally means "descendant of"as elsewhere in the Old Testament.105The purpose of this genealogy was not to record all of Ezra's ancestors but to trace his lineage from Aaron.
A "scribe"(v. 6) was a person who functioned as a copier, writer, and communicator. Scribes fulfilled various roles before the exile. These included military officer (Judg. 5:14; 2 Kings 25:19), messenger of the king (2 Kings 18:18), secretary to the king (2 Sam. 8:17; 20:25), clerk, and writer (Jer. 36:26, 32). In the Gospels we have many references to scribes. In Jesus' day they were primarily students and teachers of the law. In Ezra's time this specialized function of the scribe was developing. Ezra himself as a scribe and priest was able to teach the law (cf. Lev. 10:11; Neh. 8:1-9, 13). He also enjoyed special divine protection and enablement (v. 6; cf. 7:9, 28; 8:18, 22, 31).106
Ezra and his companions left Babylon in the spring of 458 B.C. Nisan corresponds to our late March and early April.
"It is emphasized that the date of departure from Babylon was carefully calculated to take place on the first day of the first month, though in the event they could leave only on the twelfth day due to the need to recruit Levites (Ezra 8:31). While the point is not made explicitly, this arrangement implies that the Ezra caravan, like the Israelites of old, marked their departure with the celebration of Passover (cf Ex 12:1; Num. 33:3), and that therefore this second episode in the restoration of the commonwealth begins in the same way that the first ends."107
They completed their 900-mile journey exactly four months later (vv. 8-9) because of God's enablement (v. 9).108
Ezra's personal resolve provides an excellent example for every believer (v. 10). He first purposed to study (lit. seek) the Law (Heb. torah) of God, then to apply that teaching to his own life, and then to teach others the revealed will of God. This was the key to Ezra's impact.
"The order is very significant, for you cannot effectively practice what you have not thoroughly learned, and you cannot convincingly teach what you have not practically applied."109
"One called by God to teach must also study and obey."110
