Return Under Ezra. Ezra 7 & 8

 

Ezra 7 & 8– Return Under Ezra

 

Ezra was a descendant of Phineas, the grandson of Aaron. He belongs to the priestly line.

There was no temple, it had been burned and destroyed. About two thousand Jews, led by Ezra, planned to go to Jerusalem. The temple now has been rebuilt so that there was a place for him to minister.

 When Jews married pagan people, they were drawn into the worship of their gods. Judgment fell upon Israel in the form of a plague. Phineas, the son of Eleazar, stayed the plague by executing the man who had taken the midianite woman and executing her also. Two lives were sacrificed to save a multitude of lives. God promised Phineas that the priesthood would remain in his family forever.

Ezra spent his time studying the Word of God. He had a reputation in Babylon with the king, as being a scribe of the words of the Lord God.

They returned to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes. It took almost five months to make the trip.

Ezra wanted God’s people o know God’s statutes and judgments. He was given the authority to appoint magistrates and judges. This was the king’s decree. This was in reference to the Jews after they arrived in the land.

 

Chapter 8

 

Ezra made sure the Levites went with him. The Nethiniums, who were the servants, went along also. Ezra called for a fast and a great prayer meeting at the river of Ahava. He wanted to know God’s will. He depended on God to make the journey safe, and God did watch over them. They arrived safely in Jerusalem. They took all the gold and silver that the king sent with them into the temple, into the house of God. It was a glorious thing to be back in Jerusalem and be able to offer sacrifices to God.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

 

 

The Temple Rebuilt. Ezra 5 & 6

 

Ezra 5-6 The Temple Rebuilt

 

 

The rebuilding of the temple was stopped by the opposition of the enemy. Although they found the rebellion of the Israelites true, they did not look for the decree that had been made to rebuild the city of Jerusalem.

God raised up the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. These two prophets were called upon by God to encourage the people to resume building the temple. They knew there had been a decree from Cyrus, King of Persia, which granted them permission to rebuild Jerusalem. They knew it was God’s will and God’s time to rebuild the city.

Haggai carried a measuring rod along with him and measured everything. He got down to the nitty-gritty and was precise.

Zechariah had tremendous visions and appealed to the emotions of the people. He spoke to their hearts. Both encouraged the people to resume their building program. When work was resumed, the enemies heard about it. They said, “You were ordered to stop building!” The answer given to them was “if you were part of the building crew, we would be glad to answer you, but since your names are not on the list, we will not answer you.” So, another letter was sent to the king. This time Darius is king. It has been about seven years that had gone by. The letter gave the history of the Captivity which had occurred about seventy years before. They gave the concrete evidence that King Cyrus had commanded them to rebuild the temple. The enemies did no believe that a decree had ever been made by King Cyrus, but the letter is saying the Jews’ claim of such decree. They ask that a search be made.

God is with His people and His will is going to be done. During the search, King Darius unearthed some archives, and he then returns a letter to Tatnai, the governor with an important job. King Darius realizes that it was a law of the Medes and Persians, and it could not be altered or changed. So, he makes a further decree. “Not only are you to stop hindering the work, you are to help it along. You are to give these people the money to rebuild the temple.

“Whoever alters this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged on it.” Ezra 6:11. The temple is rebuilt.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

Rebuilding is Halted. Ezra 4

 

Ezra 4 -Rebuilding is Halted

Some of the people had trickled back into Jerusalem and had mixed with the Samaritans. As a result, they wanted to join up with those who had come up from Babylon. The adversaries of Judah and Benjamin said, “We have been worshiping God here all along, and you have just gotten back. Let us join with you, and we’ll worship Him together.” That sounds very good on the surface, but they were not genuine.

 

The chief fathers of Israel rejected the enemies offer to become allies.

When the psychological approach comes in conflict with the Bible, the Bible must prevail for the child of God.

 

They were enemies, not friends. As soon as they were turned down, they began to actively oppose them. They decided to compose a letter to the king of Persia with false accusations against the remnant that had returned to rebuild Jerusalem. 

 

Their argument was that Jerusalem was a rebellious city and that Artaxerxes will have trouble with it again if he allows the city to be rebuilt.

 

The King of Persia took their advice and when his letter came back to the enemy. The enemy took it to the fathers of Israel and were forced to halt the building program.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

Rebuilding the Temple. Ezra 3

 

Ezra 3. Rebuilding the Temple

 

This first group that returned to Jerusalem after the captivity numbered fifty thousand. The next, led by Ezra, were about two thousand. Most of the people remained in the land of Babylon.

 

They searched the scriptures and they found what was written in the Law of Moses. There was no controversy or difference of opinion. The Bible was their authority. The scriptures are all sufficient that is needed for the guidance of those who would be faithful to God.

 

The altar erected was the altar of burnt offering. It was the sacrifice that spoke of the person of Christ and His sacrifice for us.

 

These people who had come back to the land were poor, humble people. They were not seeking position; they were just trying to do the will of God. They began to build the foundations of the temple. They are so thrilled and enthusiastic that they act as though the entire temple has been rebuilt. They had a dedication service, a time of praise, and sang praises to God.

 

These were the younger people that had never seen Solomon’s temple. In all their youth and enthusiasm, they were praising God, and the Lord blessed them. The other group were the old-timers who remembered Solomon’s temple. This temple seemed nothing to them and they mourned for the old.

It was the prophet Haggai that told the people “The Lord says, Go ahead and build, God is with you!”

The Lord knows who belongs to Him.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.

 

The Men of Anathoth. Ezra 2

 

Ezra 2 – The men of Anathoth

 

In Jeremiah’s day the children of Israel were on the verge of being carried away into captivity. When Jeremiah bought the land, it did not look as though Israel had a future. But God had him buy the land as a sign that Judah would be restored. Jeremiah’s act was one of faith. God promised His people would return to the land, and they did. The men of Anathoth had a sealed, lawful claim to the land because Jeremiah had purchased it and given it to them.

 

When they returned, some rebuilt the temple, some passed along the Word of God, some go out as missionaries, some supported those who went.

 

Every man’s work will be inspected with a reward in mind. We all will appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Every believer will appear before the judgment seat of Christ. “For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in the body, according to that he has done, whether it be good or bad.”  2 Cor. 5:10.

 

There were 128 singers who went back. The spirit of praise and rejoicing was in their hearts and lives. More singers returned to the land than did the Levites.

 

All of us should have a “know-so” salvation, not a “think-so”, or “hope-so.” “For I know whom I believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.” 2 Tim. 1:12

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah.

 

 

 

Return To Jerusalem. Ezra 1

 

Ezra 1 – Return to Jerusalem                                                                                                                                                

Right away Ezra puts an emphasis on the Word of God. Cyrus, King of Persia was one of the most enlightened rulers of the ancient world. He was a subject of predictive prophecy. He was named two hundred years before he was born. Isaiah 44:28.

Cyrus is a type of Christ. Daniel was a prime minister in the court of Cyrus and led him to a knowledge of the living and true God. Cyrus made a decree proclaiming that the nation of Israel could return to their land. The will of the Lord was fulfilled in that act.
Over three hundred prophecies concerning the first coming of Christ has been literally fulfilled.

The seventy years of captivity were over, but very few returned. Cyrus realized that God had given him this position. How many rulers of this world, in this so-called civilized age, recognize that they are ministers of God? They have been put into office by God whether they know it or not!

Ezekiel saw the vison of God’s glory depart from the temple at Jerusalem. When the Shekinah glory was removed, God gave His people into the hands of the Gentiles and sent them into Babylonian captivity. He dissolved the theocracy of Israel and became the God of heaven. He will remain that until He returns to Jerusalem to establish His throne.

Cyrus said, “God commanded him to build Him a house at Jerusalem. Cyrus was a Gentile world ruler at that time, and he gives permission for the Jews to return to Jerusalem. Those who did not return helped their brethren who went up. The group that returned was of the poorer class. These were the ones who understood the times, and so they returned to their land.

When the city of Babylon was captured. The Persian king had put away the vessels, and when Cyrus became king, they were there, God saw to that. They represent tremendous wealth. These are sent back to Jerusalem.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

Reign of Bad Kings- Captivity

 

II Chronicles 36– Reign of Bad Kings- Captivity

 

Jehoahaz was 21 years old, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. He was despised by the king of Egypt. Jehoiakim was 25 years old, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. During his reign the king of Babylon came against the land. Jehoiachin was 8 years old, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem. Zedekiah was 21 years old, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. Each of these kings did evil in the sight of the Lord.

 

Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, pushes over the wall and burns Jerusalem and takes Judah into captivity. God allows this because they mocked the messengers of God, and despised His words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against the people. He also allowed this to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah.

 

How much longer will God put up with our sins? There is a time when a nation reaches this point. How close to that point is our nation?

 

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7

We need to return to God’s word, repent of our sins and become obedient to Him.

“It is better to put our trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man. It is better to put our trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in princes.” Psalm 118:8,9.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.