A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF EZRA SOUTH WALTON CHURCH OF CHRIST BY HAROLD HARSTVEDT SOUTH WALTON CHURCH OF CHRIST WALTON COUNTY, FLORIDA 32459

THE TEMPLE SOLOMON’S TEMPLE SOLOMON FINISHED THE TEMPLE (959 BC)? TEMPLE REPAIRED BY JOSIAH (640 BC)? DESTROYED BY NEBUCHADNEZZAR (586 BC)? PROPHESIED BY ISAIAH (712 BC)? ZERUBBABEL’S TEMPLE RECONSTRUCTION UNDER CYRUS (536 BC)? BUILDING CEASES UNDER ARTAXERXES (17 YEARS)? BUILDING CONTINUES UNDER DARIUS (519 BC)? TEMPLE COMPLETED UNDER DARIUS (516-458 BC)?

ZERUBBABEL - SHESHBAZZAR - LEVITE LEVITES WHO CAME WITH ZERUBBABEL PEOPLE TO REMEMBER ZERUBBABEL - SHESHBAZZAR - LEVITE GOVERNOR OF JUDAH - HAGGAI 1:1 (536 BC)? KING CYRUS: EZRA 1:1 (536 BC)? LEVITES WHO CAME WITH ZERUBBABEL NEHEMIAH - PRIEST EZRA 2:2 (536 BC)? JEREMIAH - PRIEST NEHEMIAH 12:1 (536 BC)? JESHUA - HIGH PRIEST NEHEMIAH 12:1 (536 BC)? EZRA - PRIEST NEHEMIAH 12:1 (536 BC)? KING DARIUS: EZRA 1-6 (538-516 BC)? ESTHER QUEEN OF PERSIA (478 BC)? (58 YEARS)? ARTAXERXES: EZRA 7-10 (458-457 BC)? (ARTAXERXES LONGIMANUS: 465-424 BC?)

OUTLINE EZRA CHAPTER ONE CYRUS PROCLAIMS TO REBUILD THE TEMPLE V. 1-4 JEWS PREPARE TO RETURN TO JERUSALEM V. 5-6 VESSELS OF THE TEMPLE ARE BROUGHT BACK V. 7-11

READ: EZRA 1:1-4 1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, 2 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah.

READ: EZRA 1:1-4 3 Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. 4 And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.

WHO WAS KING OF PERSIA? (CYRUS - 538 BC)? QUESTIONS: EZRA 1:1-4 1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, WHO WAS KING OF PERSIA? (CYRUS - 538 BC)? HOW WAS THE WORD OF THE LORD FULFILLED? WHO WAS JEREMIAH? A PROPHET (587-582 BC)?

HOW WAS THE WORD OF THE LORD FULFILLED? QUESTIONS: EZRA 1:1-4 1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, HOW WAS THE WORD OF THE LORD FULFILLED? READ: JEREMIAH 25:12 12 'It will come to pass, when seventy years are completed, that I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity,' says the LORD; 'I will make it a perpetual desolation. (NKJ) JEREMIAH 29:10 10 Thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. (NKJ)

WHO STIRRED UP THE SPIRIT OF CYRUS? WHEN? QUESTIONS: EZRA 1:1-4 1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, WHO STIRRED UP THE SPIRIT OF CYRUS? WHEN? WHAT DID THIS CAUSE CYRUS TO DO? WHY PUT IT IN WRITING? READ: DANIEL 6:8 8 "Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.“ (NKJ)

WHO STIRRED UP THE SPIRIT OF CYRUS? QUESTIONS: EZRA 1:1-4 WHO STIRRED UP THE SPIRIT OF CYRUS? READ: ISAIAH 45:1-4 1 "Thus says the LORD to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held-- to subdue nations before him and loose the armor of kings, to open before him the double doors, so that the gates will not be shut: 2 'I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. 3 I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, who call you by your name, am the God of Israel. 4 For Jacob My servant's sake, and Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me. (NKJ)

WHO GAVE CYRUS ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE EARTH? QUESTIONS: EZRA 1:1-4 2 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. WHO GAVE CYRUS ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE EARTH? READ: DANIEL 4:22 22 It is you, O king, who have grown and become strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your dominion to the end of the earth. (NKJ)

WHO SETS UP KINGS AND PUTS THEM DOWN? QUESTIONS: EZRA 1:1-4 WHO SETS UP KINGS AND PUTS THEM DOWN? READ: DANIEL 4:33-35 36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down. (NKJ) WHEN DID NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S REASON RETURN? WHAT DID HE DECLARE?

WHAT DID THE LORD COMMAND CYRUS TO DO? QUESTIONS: EZRA 1:1-4 2 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. WHAT DID THE LORD COMMAND CYRUS TO DO? READ: ISAIAH 44:28 28 Who says of Cyrus, 'He is My shepherd, and he shall perform all My pleasure, saying to Jerusalem, "You shall be built," and to the temple, "Your foundation shall be laid."‘ (NKJ) WHEN DID THE LORD COMMAND HIM TO DO THIS?

WHO IS CYRUS APPEALING TO? WHAT DOES CYRUS WANT THEM TO DO? QUESTIONS: EZRA 1:1-4 3 Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. WHO IS CYRUS APPEALING TO? WHAT DOES CYRUS WANT THEM TO DO? WHO DOES CYRUS RECOGNIZE AS ‘GOD’?

WHO IS CYRUS ADDRESSING HERE? WHAT IS ‘THE FREEWILL OFFERINGS’ FOR? QUESTIONS: EZRA 1:1-4 4 And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem. WHO IS CYRUS ADDRESSING HERE? HOW ARE THEY TO HELP HIM? WHAT IS ‘THE FREEWILL OFFERINGS’ FOR?

READ: EZRA 1:5-8 5 The heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, with all whose spirits God had moved, arose to go up and build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. 6 All those who were around them encouraged them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered. 7 King Cyrus also brought out the articles of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem and put in the temple of his gods; 8 Cyrus king of Persia brought them out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah.

WHY CALL ON ‘THE HEADS OF THE FATHER’S HOUSES? QUESTIONS: EZRA 1:5-8 5 The heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, with all whose spirits God had moved, arose to go up and build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. WHY CALL ON ‘THE HEADS OF THE FATHER’S HOUSES? WHY ONLY JUDAH AND BENJAMIN? WHERE ARE THEY OTHER TRIBES? READ: 1 CHRONICLES 9:3 3 Now in Jerusalem the children of Judah dwelt, and some of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim and Manasseh: (NKJ) WHY THE PRIESTS AND THE LEVITES?

HOW WERE THEIR SPIRITS MOVED? QUESTIONS: EZRA 1:5-8 5 The heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, with all whose spirits God had moved, arose to go up and build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. HOW WERE THEIR SPIRITS MOVED? HOW DID THEY RESPOND?

HOW DID THE OTHERS ENCOURAGE THEM? WHAT ELSE WAS WILLINGLY OFFERED? QUESTIONS: EZRA 1:5-8 6 All those who were around them encouraged them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered. HOW DID THE OTHERS ENCOURAGE THEM? WHAT ELSE WAS WILLINGLY OFFERED?

WHAT DID KING CYRUS BRING OUT? WHY? WHAT HAD NEBUCHADNEZZAR DONE? QUESTIONS: EZRA 1:5-8 7 King Cyrus also brought out the articles of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem and put in the temple of his gods; WHAT DID KING CYRUS BRING OUT? WHY? WHAT HAD NEBUCHADNEZZAR DONE? READ: 2 CHRONICLES 36:7 7 Nebuchadnezzar carried off some of the articles from the house of the LORD to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon. (NKJ) ALSO:(DANIEL 1:2)

WHO BROUGHT THESE THINGS OUT FOR KING CYRUS? QUESTIONS: EZRA 1:5-8 8 Cyrus king of Persia brought them out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah. WHO BROUGHT THESE THINGS OUT FOR KING CYRUS? WHO DID HE COUNT THEM OUT TO? WHO IS SHESHBAZZAR? ZERUBBABEL? READ: MATTHEW 1:11-12 11 Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon. 12 After they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. (NKJ)

READ: EZRA 1:9-11 9 This is the number of them: thirty gold platters, one thousand silver platters, twenty-nine knives, 10 Thirty gold basins, four hundred and ten silver basins of a similar kind, and one thousand other articles. 11 All the articles of gold and silver were five thousand four hundred. All these Sheshbazzar took with the captives who were brought from Babylon to Jerusalem. (NKJ)

QUESTIONS: EZRA 1:9-11 9 This is the number of them: thirty gold platters, one thousand silver platters, twenty-nine knives, 10 Thirty gold basins, four hundred and ten silver basins of a similar kind, and one thousand other articles. WHAT WAS THE NUMBER OF EACH? GOLD PLATTERS 30 SILVER PLATTERS 1000 KNIVES 29 GOLD BASINS 30 SILVER BASINS 410 OTHER ARTICLES 1000 TOTAL 2499

WHAT WAS THE TOTAL OF ALL THE ARTICLES? 5400? QUESTIONS: EZRA 1:9-11 11 All the articles of gold and silver were five thousand four hundred. All these Sheshbazzar took with the captives who were brought from Babylon to Jerusalem. WHAT WAS THE TOTAL OF ALL THE ARTICLES? 5400? WHAT DID SHESHBAZZAR DO WITH THEM?