Ezra Chapter 7

Ezra Chapter 7

Note:  The first six chapters of Ezra record the events of the first return of the exiles to Babylon on their invitation by King Cyrus of Persia to return and rebuild the house of the Lord in Jerusalem.  They were led by Zerubbabel and Sheshbazzar.  They completed the temple in the sixth year of King Darius.  Ezra Chapters 7-10 record the second return of exiles under the leadership of Ezra, a great spiritual leader from the Aaronic priesthood.  There is a gap of about 60 years between chapter 6 of Ezra and chapter 7 of Ezra. Ezra was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses and had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach it.  While in Babylon, Ezra gained the favor of King Artaxerxes, who granted him a commission to return to Jerusalem. The king also invited all who wanted to go—Jews, Israelites, priests and Levites—to accompany Ezra to Jerusalem. However, only 1,754 chose to make the journey, compared with 49,897 who had returned with Zerubbabel years earlier.

1.  Who was the king of Persia when Ezra went up from Babylon to Jerusalem? vs.1-6

2.  Ezra was granted persmission from this king to go.  Why did he grant to Ezra all that he requested? vs. 6

3.  Who was Ezra besides a priest of the line of Aaron and what was his expertise? vs. 6

4.  In the 7th year of King Artaxerxes, some of the sons of Israel, some of the priests, the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants went up to Jerusalem with Ezra. (vs.7) ... What month of the 7th year was this? vs. 8

5.  Ezra and the others began to go up from Babylon to Jerusalem on the first of the first month and they came to Jerusalem on the first of the fifth month.  Who was responisble for their successful journey? vs. 9

6.  Ezra experienced the favor of God because of what he had set his heart to do.  What did he set his heart to do? vs. 10 - Name 3 things   1)2)3)

7.  The king not only gave his verbal permission for Ezra and the people to return, but also gave a written decree for Ezra to carry.(vs.11).  What did the decree say to all the people of Israel who remained in Babylon who were willing to go with Ezra? vs. 13

8.  What did the king and his counselors freely offer to the God of Israel? vs.14,15

9.  What did the Jews have access to in the whole province of Babylon to take on their departure back to Jerusalem? vs. 16

10.  What were they to do with all of the money they received? vs. 17

11.  What was the purpose of this? vs. 17

12.  What were they to do with any money that might be left over? vs. 18

13.  They were given utensils for the service of the house of the Lord. (vs.19) ... What if they had additional needs for the house of the Lord come up? vs. 20

14.  What did King Artaxerxes issue a decree declaring to all the "treasurers" in the provinces beyond the River? vs. 21,22

15.   The king said they were to do whatever was commanded by the God of heaven with "zeal" for the house of the God of heaven. Why did he declare this? vs. 23

16.  Who did the king give "tax exemption" to? vs. 24

17.  What did the king appoint Ezra to do regarding law and order in Jerusalem? vs.25,26

18.  Why did Ezra bless the Lord? vs.27,28 - Name 5 things mentioned  1)2)3)4)5)

Applications:

19.  Ezra was a prepared vessel for the Lord.  He had set his heart to study the Word; to practice it; and to teach it.  How are we preparing to be a vessel the Lord can use when He needs a servant?

• 1 Peter 3:15,16 -
• 2 Timothy 2:15 -
• 2 Timothy 2:21 -

20.  King Artaxerxes told Ezra and the men with him to do whatever the Lord commanded them with "zeal" so that the Lord's wrath would not rest upon him or his sons.  How are we suppose to always do our work for the Lord?

• John 4:34 -
• Romans 12:11 -
• 2 Corinthians 5:13 -
• 2 Corinthians 5:20 -
• 2 Corinthians 10:3 -
• Galatians 6:9 -
• Ephesians 5:16 -
• Ephesians 6:7 -
• Colossians 1:29 -
• Colossians 3:23 -
• Colossians 4:5 -
• 1 Thessalonians 1:5 -
• Titus 2:14 -
• Hebrews 13:18 -
• Revelation 3:19 -

21.  The Old Testament prophets prophesied about the return from captivity but also about the final return of the Jews from all over the world back to their homeland before the return and reign of the Lord Jesus over all the earth at His Second Coming.  Here are some of those prophecies to consider for our lesson:

• Isaiah 27:6 -
• Isaiah 43:5-7 -
• Jeremiah 16:14,15 -
• Jeremiah 29:14 -
• Jeremiah 30:3 -
• Jeremiah 32:37 -
• Ezekiel 11:16,17 -
• Ezekiel 28:25,26 -
• Ezekiel 34:12-14 -
• Ezekiel 37:22 -
• Amos 9:11-15 -
• Joel 3:2 -
• Zechariah 8:4-8 -

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