Ezra Chapter 6

Ezra Chapter 6

1.  King Darius issued a decree for a search to be made in the archives where the treasures were stored in Babylon.  Where was the scroll found that recorded the decree given by King Cyrus that the temple in Jerusalem be rebuilt? vs.1-3

2.  How was the cost to be paid according to the decree by Cyrus? vs. 4

3.  Also on the scroll, it was said that the gold and silver utensils that Nebuchadnezzar had taken were to be brought back and put into the house of God. (vs.5) ... Upon seeing this scroll, what did King Darius tell Tattenai, Shethar-bozenai, and their colleagues? vs. 6,7

4.  What decree did Darius give concerning how the full cost of finishing the work was to be paid without delay? vs. 8

5.  Darius also said that young bulls, rams, and lambs for burnt offerings along with wheat, salt, and anointing oil were to be given to the priests in Jerusalem everyday without fail. (vs.9)  What was the purpose for these? vs. 10

6.  How did Darius believe he would benefit from this? vs. 10

7.  What did King Darius decree should happen to any man who violated this edict? vs. 11

8.  What did Darius hope God would do to any king or people who would attempt to change or destroy the temple ever again? vs. 12

9.  Tattenai, the governor of the province beyond the River,  Shethar-bozenai and their colleagues carried out the decree with all diligence. (vs.13) ... What brought about success in building for the elders of the Jews? vs. 14

10.  Finally, the finished building according to the command of God and through the decrees of kings - Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes. (vs.14) ... What day was the temple complete? vs. 15

Note:  We find that from the time the foundation was laid, until its completion, the temple was 21 years in the building. After God sent Haggai and Zechariah to them, it took 4 years and 5 months. Many of the 21 years there was nothing done on it all. Adar was the twelfth month on their calendar. It would be equivalent to our March.

11.  The sons of Israel, the priests, the Levites and the rest of the exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy! (vs.16) ... What did they offer for the dedication of the temple? vs. 17

12.  Where did they receive instructions on appointing the priests and Levites for service? vs. 18

13.  What did the exiles do on the 14th of the 1st month? vs. 19

14.  Who slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the exiles and for themselves and what was required beforehand? vs. 20

15.  Besides those from Israel who had returned from exile, who else joined them to see the God of Israel to eat the passover meal? vs. 21

Note:  This day is approximately the 14th day of April by our calendar. Passover was a remembrance of the night in Egypt, when death passed over the Hebrew houses that had the blood of the lamb over and around their doors. This was the 10th plague God sent on Egypt to free the children of Israel.

16.  In connection with the Passover, they celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread for 7 days with joy!  What had brought about such joy for them at that time? vs. 22 

Note:  The celebration of Unleavened Bread overlaps Passover. We mentioned that the unleavened bread symbolizes the LORD Jesus Christ who is the Bread of life. It must be unleavened, because He was without sin. We partake of His righteousness.

Applications:

1.  When the prophets encouraged the Jews, some of the leaders rose up to begin to work on the Lord's House in Jerusalem again.  The Lord's eye was upon them as they worked and therefore they were having success.  When they were asked about who gave them permission to do so, they were ready to give an answer in regard to Cyrus issuing the decree back in the beginning.  They asked that a search be made to see if it was all true.  King Darius issued a decree to search for the records.  God was the One to give Darius a heart to search and the ability that the records be found.  Comment on the following Scripture:

• Proverbs 21:1 -

2.  When King Darius found out about the original decree from King Cyrus, he not only gave the people encouragement to build, but said that all the expenses would be paid for it as well!  What he asked for in return was that they remember him and his sons in their prayers to their God.  What a mighty testimony of the grace of God in making Himself known in all the world through His children!  How can we have the same mindset today?

• Romans 13:1-7 -
• 1 Timothy 2:1-4 -
• Mark 12:14-17 -
• 1 Peter 2:13-17 -

3.  In all of this, we see the wonderful hand of God at work with the objections raised by Tattenai and Shethar-Bozenai as recorded in Ezra 5:3. The end result of these objections was to further the work of God instead of hindering it. This is an example of God working all things together for good for His people!  Comment on the following Scriptures:

• Romans 8:28 -

4.  The initial ministry of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah is mentioned in Ezra 5:1-2. There, the prophets had to encourage the people of God to resume the work after a significant period of inactivity. Now they had to encourage them to keep working when God had opened the doors for the work to be done. Even with the open doors, the work was still difficult and needed prophetic encouragement. God’s blessing on the work did not make the work easy to do.  How are we exhorted to encourage one another everyday?

• Hebrews 3:13 -
• Hebrews 12:3 -
• Galatians 6:9 -
• 2 Thessalonians 3:13 -
• Philippians 4:13 -

5.  The House of the Lord was finally completed!  There was much joy as they celebrated the Feast of Passover.  Not only did all the exiles that had returned from Babylon celebrate but anyone who had separated themselves from the impurity of the nations and desired to join them to seek the Lord God of Israel.  What are we doing to invite others to our celebrations in the Lord?  Think about it as you look up the following Scriptures:

• John 4:28-30 -
• John 7:37 -
• Revelation 22:17 -
• Mark 16:15 -
• Matthew 28:19,20 -
• Luke 14:12-14 -

6.  Summarize this lesson and post a prayer if you would like.