Daily Bible Reading - March 29th, 2020 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - March 29th, 2020 | American Bible Society: Ezra 8:15-36: The book of Ezra is considered a sequel to Chronicles and describes the return of some of the Jewish exiles from Babylon and the restoration of life and worship in Jerusalem. After the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple (586 B.C.), the people were deported to Babylon (2 Chronicles 36:11-21). In 538 B.C., King Cyrus or Persia defeated the Babylonians and allowed the captives to return to their homes near Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple (2 Chronicles 36:22, 23). Ezra, an expert in the Law of God, helps the people reorganize their religious and social life in order to safeguard the spiritual heritage of Israel. Today’s reading is Ezra’s prayer in which he asks the people to fast and to pray for God’s protection as they journey back to Jerusalem.