Helen’s introductory talk on Ezra tells us lots about reading the Bible. The Old Testament Bible book of Ezra has lots of names that the author has listed, so it yields lots of history. And a lot of this history throughout the Bible, including in the Old Testament, is the key to our understanding of Jesus death and resurrection which is recorded in the New Testament. And Jesus death and resurrection is what can save us today, as well as from ultimate eternal death, provided that Jesus is who we choose to believe.
The Book of Ezra in the Bible is traditionally attributed to the scribe and priest Ezra. Many scholars also believe Ezra is the author of 1 and 2 Chronicles, and that Ezra and Nehemiah were originally one book. It is also considered that Psalm 119 was possibly written by Ezra, rather than by King David, who seems to be the popular thought. Helen explains how the books in the Bible fit together and how the book of Ezra fits in the Bible, as well as about Ezra himself.
But Helen’s main emphasis is just how important it is for each of us to read the Bible regularly and to use helps so that we can build understanding. Because the Bible is the handbook on life.