Restore

Restore

Restore, Ezra 1-2

Table of Contents 

    1. Torah- Law 
    2. Historical Books 
    3. Wisdom, Poetic 
    4. Prophets
  • Brief rundown of biblical history leading to the Gospels
    • Exile is central with the prophets (Pre, during, After the return) 
      • FOCUS: 538 BC – Return to Restore the temple
  • Zerubbabel / Ezra / Nehemiah 
  • Ezra 5- Haggai, Zech/ After 60 years, Esther/Malachi
  • Worship, Word, The Church (walls)
  • Please turn to Ezra 1, page 389 in the pew bibles

Vs. 1 & 2a, Prophesy & Cyrus

who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose’; saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’”   Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed:  Isaiah 44:28-45:1

This whole land shall become a ruin and a waste, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. Then after seventy years are completed, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity, declares the LORD, making the land an everlasting waste. I will bring upon that land all the words that I have uttered against it, everything written in this book, which Jeremiah prophesied against all the nations. Jeremiah 25:11–13

Babylon sakes Judah in 606 BC, Temple construction starts 70 years later in 536BC

“Now therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city of which you say, ‘It is given into the hand of the king of Babylon by sword, by famine, and by pestilence’: Behold, I will gather them from all the countries to which I drove them in my anger and my wrath and in great indignation. I will bring them back to this place, and I will make them dwell in safety. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. Jeremiah 32:36–38

  • Vs. 2-4, 2 Chronicles ends with this edict, Erza picks up where it left off. 
    • Could be the same author. 
  • Vs. 5 “Everyones who’s spirit God had stirred” vs. 64-65 /  49,897
    • Not everyone went. Negative connotation? Something different

“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.  Jeremiah 29:4–7

  • vs. 5-6, Scripture is clear, those who God called, went.  Those who didn’t, gave.
  • vs. 68,  And those that did go, all who had the means, gave as well.
  • RESTORE
  • Vs. 7-11, Items of Worship 

What do we learn? 

  1. God is Sovereign and in control- No matter what the present looks like, God has a plan 
    1. Romans 8:28
  2. God’s plan is restoration  
  3. God uses his people to accomplish his plan. 
    1. Some go, some give, all are involved
    2. How are you involved? 
  • Benediction 
    • Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11
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