1. Christ Baptist Church Spring 2015 Chapter 4 & 5 Haggai Chapter 1

2. Ezra – Overview 24 ….the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a stand still until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

3. Chapter 4 -- Opposition to Building 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 Chapter 4 Opposition Arises Vs 7-16 Vs 17-23 Vs 1-6 Vs 24

4. Ezra Chapter 4 - The Opposition Stirs Ezra 4:6-16 Opposition under Xerxes & Artaxerxes 9. What did the enemy do next? Who wrote the letter? 10.What accusations did they make (v 11-16). Was it based on facts (2 Kings 24:1 and Jeremiah 38:17-23)? What evidence was overlooked? 11.What accusations do people today make against the people of God to discourage us and discredit us? 12. Can you list other Bible examples in which God’s people were falsely accused or harassed to hinder their work for God? Xeres 486-464 Artaxerxes I 464-423

5. Ezra Chapter 4 - The Opposition Stirs Ezra 4:17 - 23 Artaxerxes response 13. What did Artaxerxes command in response to the letter? 14. How did the Jewish enemies respond to the letter? What was the result? 15. Did the Jewish people do the right thing? How should they have responded? What can we learn from this?

6. Chronology of the Persian Period 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 Chapter 4 Opposition Arises Vs 7-16 Vs 17-23 Vs 1-6 Vs 24 24 ….the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a stand still until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

7. Ezra Chapter 5:1,2; Haggai Chapter 1 1.Who spoke to the Jews in Jerusalem and why? What was the result? Who was Haggai? Little is known – Outside the book, he is mentioned twice by Ezra No record of him in captivity, nor is his age, He had knowledge of Solomon’s Temple leading some scholars to think he was older Prophet of God Ministry was short – 4 months to 1½ years, 4 messages. Theme – Stir up the people to: Rebuild the temple Reorder their spiritual priorities Ezra Chapter 5 - Conviction Returns

8. Haggai Chapter 1 – Call to Build God’s House Haggai Chapter 1:1-4 2.When did this occur? During whose reign? How many years had passed since the work on the temple stopped? 3.What came through Haggai? To whom? 4.According to Haggai, why had the work on the temple stopped? What do you think the people had been doing instead? 5.What would your answer be if Haggai asked you that question in V4 today?

9. Haggai Chapter 1 – Call to Build God’s House Haggai Chapter 1:5-11 6.What warning does the Lord give in v5 and again in v7? Why? What does it mean? 7.What was the result of the Jews unfaithfulness (v6,9)? 8.Give the reason for the punishment (v9). They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Rom 1:25

10. Haggai Chapter 1 – Call to Build God’s House Haggai Chapter 1:5-11 9.What resulted in the delaying the rebuilding of the temple (v10)? 10.What does the LORD tell the people to do (v7)? Who is then glorified? 11.Thought Question: What lessons should we learn from the people’s failure to work? How are people today similarly guilty?

11. Haggai Chapter 1 – Call to Build God’s House Haggai Chapter 1:5-11 12.Who led the people to get back to work? Reread v1. Who specifically did Haggai speak to? What lessons should leaders in the church today learn? 13.What was the reaction of the people? How long did it take them to react? Hint compare v1 to v15. 14.What was the LORD’s second message through Haggai (v13)? Reread Ezra 5:2

12. Weekly Challenges - Applying God’s Word What excuse are you using to keep from doing what God wants you to do? Are you more concerned about your own comfort than with the glory of God? “Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified,” says the LORD (1:8). What are your priorities, does God’s work come first? Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate? (1:4). Are you experiencing dissatisfaction in your life or do you know people who are? You have sown much, but harvest little; you eat, but there is not enough to be satisfied; you drink, but there is not enough to become drunk; you put on clothing, but no one is warm enough; and he who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes (1:6).

14. Chronology of the Prophets TO ISRAELTO JUDAHTO FOREIGN NATION ASSYRIAN AGEAmos ca. 760 Hosea ca. 760-730 Isaiah ca. 740-700 Micah ca. 737-690 Jonah ca. 770 BABYLONIAN AGEHabakkuk ca. 630 Zephaniah ca. 627 Jeremiah ca. 627-580 Daniel ca. 605-530 Ezekiel ca. 593-570 Nahum ca. 650 PERSIAN AGEHaggai ca. 520 Zechariah ca. 520- 518 Joel ca. 500 Malachi ca. 433 Obadiah ca. 500

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

17. Encouragement Encouraged by the Presence of God: “But now take courage, Zerubbabel,” declares the LORD, “take courage also, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all you people of the land take courage,” declares the LORD, “and work; for I am with you,” says the LORD of hosts. 5 As for the promise which I made you when you came out of Egypt, My Spirit is abiding in your midst; do not fear! (2:4-5).

18. Encouragement Encouraged by the Power of God: For thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land. 7 And I will shake all the nations (2:6-7).

19. Encouragement Encouraged by the Possessions of God: “And I will shake all the nations; and they will come with the wealth of all nations; and I will fill this house with glory,” says the LORD of hosts. 8 The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,” declares the LORD of hosts (2:7-8). Encouraged by the Peace of God: “The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,” says the LORD of hosts, “and in this place I shall give peace,” declares the LORD of hosts (2:9).