1. Learn from Old Testament Examples
Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 1 Cor 10:11 (NKJV)
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4 (NKJV)

2. The Return from Captivity

3. The Return from Captivity
Zerubbabel (536 B. C.) along with Jeshua the high priest, around 50,000 Jews.
Prophets: Haggai and Zechariah… Jews started building the temple,
Were stopped after one year.
Enemies waited until Cyrus was dead, then wrote to Cambyses about Jerusalem; He ordered building stopped.
Prophets Haggai and Zechariah stirred the people to build the temple ( B.C.)
Esther fits in between Ezra chapter 6 & 7, about 485 B.C.
Ezra leads a return (458 B.C.).
Concentrates on purifying the worship.
Nehemiah comes to build the walls of Jerusalem (445 B.C.)
Malachi, the last prophet of the Old Testament (432 B.C.).
The Return from Captivity

4. Ezra Had Prepared His Heart…
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel. Ezra 7:10 (NKJV)
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21 (NKJV)
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness Eph 6:13-14 (NKJV)

5. Ezra Had Prepared His Heart

6. Ezra Had Prepared His Heart
There are three characteristics concerning what Ezra had prepared his heart to do.
They enabled Ezra to be successful in discharging his God-given duty.
We will use these characteristics as our outline, in order to establish principles for us to be successful discharging our God-given duties.

7. For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord…
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matt 7:7 (NKJV)
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Heb 11:6 (NKJV)
Acts 26:26-38; 8:36-39; 10:7-48; 17:11-12; 2Thess. 2:9-10; 2 Tim. 4:3-4

8. For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it…
But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. Romans 6:17-18 (NKJV)
Rom. 1:5-6; 16:25-27; 2 Cor. 10:4-6; 2 Thess. 1:8-9; Heb. 5:8-9; 1 Pet. 1:20-25; 1 Sam. 15; Matt. 28:20

9. 1 Cor. 12:12-31; Jas. 3:1; Acts 8:4; 1 Thess. 1:8
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.
And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Tim 2:2 (NKJV)
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. Heb 5:12 (NKJV)
1 Cor. 12:12-31; Jas. 3:1; Acts 8:4; 1 Thess. 1:8

10. Ezra 7:10 Is your heart prepared…
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.
Is your heart prepared…
To Seek?
To Obey?
To Teach?