1. Ezra: A Time to Build he has charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem – Ezra 1:2

2. Ezra 1-6Ezra 7-10 Physical buildingSpiritual building Rebuilding the temple Reforming the people Ezra 1:1-4Ezra 7:10 538 – 516 B.C.458 – 457 B.C. Ezra: A Time to Build

3. ChapterTheme Ezra 1-2Return Ezra 3-4Rebuild Ezra 5-6Revive Ezra 7-8Replenish Ezra 9-10Reform Ezra: A Time to Build

4. Ezra 1-2: Return It took a special kind of Jew with a heart of sacrifice to return and build the temple (1:3,5-6; 2:68-69; see Psa. 137) Do we have the sacrifice to leave a life of comfort and return to living in God’s kingdom (Lk. 9:23, 57- 62; 13:23-24)?

5. Ezra 3-4: Rebuild These faithful Jews were concerned to rebuild what was right (authorized) after they had failed miserably with what was wrong (3:1-5; comp. with 2 Chron. 36:14) Do we have the courage, conviction, and commitment to return and rebuild what is authorized by God’s word (2 Tim. 1:13; Jude 3)? Will we do this in the face of opposition?

6. Ezra 5-6: Revive The Jews allowed themselves to be side-tracked from their goal through opposition (4:24), wrong priorities (Haggai 1:4,9), and discouragement (Zech. 4:6-10); but they resumed through the preaching “revival” of Haggai and Zechariah (5:1-2; 6:14-15; see 9:9) Do we need to resume our work because we have become side-tracked (1 Cor. 15:58; Gal. 6:9)? Do we have any zeal left to be stirred up (Heb. 10:25)? Do we respond to “revival” preaching (2 Tim. 4:2)?

7. Ezra 7-8: Replenish The Jews who returned first would soon need reinforcements; their resources, both physical and spiritual, would need replenishing – Ezra was the man for the job (7:6-10, 25-26; 8:35-36) Do we need to replenish our own spiritual resources and that of the next generation? It takes (7:10)… ◦ A prepared heart (1 Sam. 7:3) ◦ Seeking God’s law (Prov. 2:4) ◦ Doing God’s law (Jn. 13:17; Jas. 1:22) ◦ Teaching God’s law (2 Tim. 1:5; 2:2; 3:15)

8. Ezra 9-10: Reform Some of the Jews who returned did not separate themselves (6:21); they inter-married against God’s will (9:1-2; see Ex. 34:12-17; Deut. 7:1-5); they needed reformation... ◦ Sorrow for sin (9:3-4, astonished) ◦ Praying for forgiveness (9:5-15, ashamed, alarmed) ◦ Repentance (10:1-17) ◦ Remove guilt (10:18-44). Do we need a “godly sorrow” reformation in our nation, in our home, in our life (2 Cor. 7:8-11)?

9. ChapterTheme Ezra 1-2Return Ezra 3-4Rebuild Ezra 5-6Revive Ezra 7-8Replenish Ezra 9-10Reform Ezra: A Time to Build