It took over half the book that bears his name, but in chapter 6 we finally get to meet Ezra!
Ezra is a scribe and a priest. He is also called "a scholar of the text of the commandments of the Lord and his statutes for Israel" (vs. 11). His lineage in verses 1 through 5 reveal that he is a direct descendant of Aaron.
Ezra is sent to Jerusalem from Babylonia. He was dispatched by King Artaxerxes to come and restore the religious laws, sacrifices and customs of the Jews. His mission is one of putting the practice of the faith back into action after a long hiatus. Ezra is charged with providing offerings at the temple, fixing it up, and appointing magistrates and judges to re-institute the covenant law among the people. He is given direct authority by the king: "All who will not obey the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be strictly executed on them, whether for death or for banishment or for confiscation of their goods or for imprisonment" (vs. 26).
Ezra himself appears to take over the narrative in verse 27 as the book switches to first person. He takes on the journey from the king to come to Jerusalem accompanied with leaders from Israel.
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