1. Christ Baptist Church Spring 2015 Chapter 9

2. Ezra / Nehemiah Timeline PERSIAN KINGDATESBIBLICAL CORRELATIONTime Line CYRUS539-530 Return of Zerubbabel and Jeshua (Ezra 1-3) Temple work begins 538 536 CAMBYSES530-522 Rebuilding at Jerusalem stopped (Ezra 4)530 DARIUS I522-486 Haggai and Zechariah prophesy Temple Completed (Ezra 5-6) 520 516 XERXES486-464 Story of Esther (Esther 1-9) ARTAXERXES I464-423 Return of Ezra (Ezra 7-10) Return of Nehemiah (Nehemiah (1-2) Prophecy of Malachi 458 445 443 Chap 7 - 10 Chap 5 - 6 Chap 4:7-23 Chap 1 – 4:6,24 80 years

3. Ezra Overview Chapter 1 God stirs King Cyrus to act Temple Treasure returned Chapter 2 God stirs the Israelites to return 50,000 obeyed Chapter 3 God is worshiped! The Altar is built, foundation laid Chapter 3 Old men remember the old temple and weep … “Sound heard far away.” Chapter 4 Opposition begins subversion, discouragement, fear, bribery, frustration Haggai 1 Admonishes leaders and people The people return to God Chapter 5 People obey despite opposition, admit their sins Tattania’s factual report to King Darius Chapter 6 God stirs in King Darius & he supports the Israelites Chapter 7 The Hand of God is on Ezra Artaxerxes commissions Ezra to go to Jerusalem Chapter 8 The Hand of God is on Ezra Ezra trusts the Lord for safety, but is not foolish Ezra arrives in Jerusalem

4. Four Characteristics we see in Ezra (Chapter 7) Devoting ourselves to God Studying His Word Acting according to His Will Teaching others about His Grace Are we:

5. Ezra 9 Ezra Prays Ezra 9:1-2 Unfaithfulness Identified 1.Identify the problem reported in verse 1. 2.Why might this have happened? 3.Who led in this sin? What can we learn about the importance of example? 4.Thought question: Is this issue specific to the Jewish people of that time? (2 Cor, 6:14; 1 Cor 6.15-17)? Do we face this today?

6. Ezra 9 Ezra Prays Ezra 9:3-4 Ezra’s Reaction 5.How did Ezra react? Also see Nehemiah 13:25 6.What was at stake? 7.What reaction did those around Erza have to the word of the LORD? 8.What word do you see in verses 2 and 4 that sums up the state of the people?

7. Ezra 9 Ezra Prays Ezra 9:5-15 Ezra’s Prayer 9.On whose behalf is Ezra praying? Who takes responsibility? 10.How far back does the sin go and what were the consequences (v7)? 11.What has God done despite their actions (v8,9)? What might Ezra mean when he says “for a little moment?” 12.Who does Ezra recognize they are (v9)?

8. Ezra 9 Ezra Prays 13.What commandment did the Israelites break (v 10-11)? 14.Thought Question: Did the Israelites get what they deserved? 15.Ezra does not pray for mercy or forgiveness, but what does he declare God is (v15)? 16.How does Ezra contrast God and Man (v15)? Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you Exodus 32:10

9. Weekly Challenges - Applying God’s Word Do you react to sin the way Ezra does? What is your response to communal sin? Do we recognize God’s Glory and Holiness, are we aware of our own true sin? Is your disobedience to God effecting future generations?

10. Timeline http://www.blueletterbible.org/images/rosepub/imageDisplay/#s=OT_timeline2_b

11. Ezra Chapter 8 – The Willing Remnant Ezra 8:1-15 - The A List 1.What is listed in Ezra 8:1-14? What were these men? The total number is 1,354. How does this compare to the size of the first group? 2.Bonus Questions: Who were Phinehas and Ithamar? 3.Thought question: This group made the journey 80 years after the original group in Ezra 1. Discuss the significance of Biblical training on the faithfulness of this new generation. How important is it to be training a new generation in our day? I took courage, for the hand of the Lord my God was on me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me. Ezra 7:28b

12. Ezra Chapter 8 – The Willing Remnant Ezra 8:15-20 – No Levites? 4.Where did they meet before leaving? How long were they there? 5.Who did Ezra discover missing at the camp by the river? 6.Thought Questions: Why do you suppose they were missing? Where did Ezra find them? 7.What did Ezra do about this problem, who did the group address, and what was the result?

13. Ezra Chapter 8 – The Willing Remnant Ezra 8:21-23 - Preparations for the Journey 8.What did Ezra have the people do before leaving? Why? 9.Why had they not asked for soldiers to protect them? Do you ever go through times of apprehension when you take a step of faith? 10.Nehemiah was provided an escort. Why the difference? Was Nehemiah less godly? (Romans 14:6)

14. Ezra Chapter 8 – The Willing Remnant Ezra 8:24-30 Priests Guard the Offering 11.Describe what they took with them. What does this show about their were concerned about protection? 12.Thought question: Does this mean they did not trust God? 13.Who was put in charge of the treasure? Note that they prayed about this, then they put men in charge. What does this teach us about prayer? It is never right to use faith as an excuse for foolishness. Commentary by Dr Peter Pett

15. Ezra Chapter 8 – The Willing Remnant 14.What was put into the hands of the appointed? Ezra 8:31-36 – Home Sweet Home 15.When did they depart? How does this differ from Ezra 7:9? Why the delay? 16.Describe some things they did after arriving. 17.What were they celebrating?