Review: As you recall, the work had stopped because the enemies of Judah and Benjamin had sent a letter to Artaxerxes, the King of Persia. Fortunately, Haggai's prophecy from the Lord which pointed out their lack of obedience was resulting in a lack of blessing was just the motivation the Israelites needed to get back to work. After having been shut down for a period of time, they were now back on the job, rebuilding the temple of God in Jerusalem.
Ezra Chapter 5
1. What two prophets were speaking God's Words to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem before and during the rebuilding of the temple? vs. 1
Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo
2. Who were the two men who rose up to begin the process of rebuilding the Lord's House in Jerusalem under the direction of these two prophets? vs. 2
Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak
3. What did Tattenai,the governor of the province beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai and their colleagues ask Zerubbabel and Jeshua during the time of rebuilding? vs. 3
Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?
4. They told them the names of the men who were rebuilding the temple. (vs.4) ... Whose "eye" was on the elders of the Jews to keep them from being stopped? vs. 5
of their God
5. This continued until a report was given to Darius and a written reply returned concerning it. (vs.5) ... We are given the wording of the letter that these sent to Darius the king. (vs.6) ... What did the men write down that they had witnessed firsthand of the building process? vs. 7,8 -
which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.
6. When they asked the Jewish elders who had issued a decree to allow them to rebuild and also the names of the men helping in order to give to King Darius, how did the elders answer them? vs. 10,11 -
We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.
7. Who did they say gave them over into the hand of Babylon and why? vs. 12
8. Who did they say gave them the decree to rebuild the house of God? vs. 13 God
9. What did he also give them back that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple before? vs. 14
the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God.
10. Who was it given to and what did he appoint him to be? vs. 14
Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor
11. What did Sheshbazzar do in regard to the house of God in Jerusalem at that time? vs. 15,16
Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem.
12. What did they ask King Darius to do for them since the house still needed to be completed? vs. 17Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
Applications:
13. God helps His people. He sent the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to support the Jews in rebuilding their temple. How is the Word of God through the prophets of the Old Testament and the apostles of the New Testament still used today to encourage us in our work for the Lord?
- Psalm 119:105 -His word will illuminate our way as we are going.waiting on his leading is usually as we go on our journey we invite the Holy Spirit to show us how we can put into practice his word we have hidden in our heart . He wants his light to shine in us and through us and let the sword cut those things out of us that we don't need .
- Matthew 4:4 -We must remember that we need more than physical food. In order to be successful we need to pay attention to all the words that come from God. We can do this by regularly reading His word the Bible and applying what learn.
- Romans 10:7 -Another stumbling block with the Jews was the death and burial of Christ. When Jesus died on the cross, they held it to be proof that he was not the Christ. Bring up Christ again from the dead. They still were wont to demand that they should see the Risen Christ with their own eyes, or that he be produced from the realms of the dead. To have met the demands of the Jews would have been sight rather than faith.
- Romans 15:4 -God is a changeless God in a changing world. Since all scripture is divinely inspired,it is written to us and therefore instruction is derived from the Old and New Testaments.
- 2 Corinthians 10:4 -The verse tells us that the means of warring against the devil and his evil forces is not done through material psychological philosophical nor by intellectual means but the war is done by God and His Spirit and once understood it is so powerful to the pulling down of the devil s towers.
I must have my time with God before I do anything before my mine will and emotions take control.
- Ephesians 2:19,20 - Gentiles have been brought nigh, and are fellow citizens of the kingdom of God with the saints.Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. They have been built into the temple of the Lord. The word of God, declared by apostles and prophets, is the foundation of their faith, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone]. The corner-stone was a stone of double size at the corner, which became a part of both walls and joined them together. So he had joined the Jews and Gentiles in the building. He is the foundation-stone on which the building rests, and the stone of union. Compare Isa 28:16 Mt 21:42 Ac 4:11 1Pe 2:7.
- Colossians 3:16 -
- Hebrews 1:1-3 -
- Hebrews 4:12 -
- 2 Timothy 3:16,17 -
- 2 Peter 1:19-21 -
14. Read Haggai 1:1-11. According to Haggai, why had the work on the temple stopped? What had people been doing instead?
15. The Jews knew the Lord was the One who had "given them over" to captivity. If we turn back to the Lord, will He deliver us as well?
- Matthew 6:13 -
- Luke 4:18 -
- Acts 26:18 -
- 2 Corinthians 1:10 -
- Philippians 1:19 -
16. Ezra 5:5 But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them...The reason that things happened this way is because God was watching out for them. How do we know His loving eye is upon us as well?
- 2 Chronicles 16:9 -
- Psalm 33:18 -
- Luke 12:7 -
17. How can chapter 5 help you to press on in doing God's work in the face of opposition?
18. What does it mean to you that God is able to use the most powerful people on earth (like Cyrus) to further his purpose?
19. How can worship be a stronger part of your response to God's faithfulness?
20. Summarize this lesson and post a prayer if you would like.
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