1. Ezra 5-6 Haggai and Zechariah

2. Introduction I. Jeremiah predicts a 70 year captivity (Jer. 29:10- 14) II. Babylon conquers Judah (Nebuchadnezzar) III. Babylon defeated by Medo-Persia (Cyrus) IV. God tells Cyrus to build the Temple (Ezra 1:1-3) after 70 years V. Zerubbabel and Joshua lead the Jews V. Adversaries weaken the Jews (4:1,4) VI. Jews stop building the Temple (4:24)

3. Practical Application Having lots of gifts and potential isnt going to get things done for Christ Starting out well and having a great foundation is nice but where are you now? Obedience to the word of God (not our plans) is the key!

4. Ezra 5 Vs. 1: Haggai and Zechariah start to prophesy the name of God to them I Cor. 14:3 Prophets should instruct (edify), persuade (exhort), comfort

5. Haggai 1 and 2 Vs. 1 word of God came to Haggai Vs. 2: Find out why the Jews stopped building – The time is not come – Not Gods will – Discouraged because of difficulties, opposition, and fear

6. Practical Application Sometimes the Lords will is hard and difficult – Abraham, Gideon, Jesus John 15:20 If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. John 16:33 In the world ye shall have tribulation. I Thess. 3:3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions; for ye yourselves know that we are appointed to these things. II Tim. 3:12 All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

7. Haggai 1 Vs. 3-4 Jews built beautiful paneled houses and neglected Gods house

8. Practical Application Its easier to spend more on ourselves (time, money, etc) than on the Lord ($100 seems small at the mall, but big at the church offering box) Matt. 6:33 (Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.)

9. Haggai 1 Vs.5 Consider your ways Vs. 6-7 Nothing really good has happened lately with all your efforts Wages have been put in bags with holes Vs. 9-11 God tells them He has caused the droughts and lack of harvest because of their disobedience

10. Practical Application Are we putting our time and energy into bags with holes in them? This worlds pleasures never satisfy, never give full fulfillment, or have any eternal value.

11. Haggai 1 Vs. 8 Go up the mountain, bring wood, build the house Vs. 12 They obeyed God through the prophets Vs. 13 God said He was with them

12. Practical Application When God tells us a command, we need to obey. We need to work for the Lord! How does He speak? – The Bible – The Church (the body) – Circumstances – Answered prayer

13. Haggai 2 Vs. 1 Next month Vs. 3 Building was nothing in comparison to Solomons Vs. 4-5 Be strong and work for I am with you

14. Practical Application Not about the size of the assignment that God gives us. Its about obedience and getting busy to finish the assignment. Eph. 6:10 Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.

15. Zechariah 1 Vs. 3 Turn ye unto me-------Return! Vs. 4 Dont be like others who didnt hear and obey the commands of God Vs. 6 The others eventually realized that what God warned would happen did come true

16. Back to Ezra 5 Vs. 2 Zechariah and Joshua begin to build with the prophets helping them (around 18 years later)

17. Practical Application 18 years, 18 months, 18 minutes, 18 seconds later, it doesnt matter……………….Recognize your sin, confess it, repent, and get back to work! I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

18. Ezra 5 Vs. 3-17 Opposition returns! Tatnai the Governor of Samaria questions them Vs. 3 Who told you to do this? Vs. 9-10 Whats your name?

19. Practical Application Satan attacks us when we get busy for God. He is the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10) I John 2:1 If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

20. Ezra 5 Vs. 5 Jews keep working this time Why? – 1) prophets encouragement – 2) eye of God was on them – 3) enemies couldnt stop the Jews (God would accomplish His purposes) – Luke 19: 40 If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

21. Ezra 5 Vs. 6,17 Tatnai writes letter to King Darius to search for the command to build Vs. 11 Jews said they were servants of the God of heaven and earth Bold about their faith. Why? – 1) they knew who they were following : GOD ALMIGHTY! – 2) Cyrus told them to build too (Vs. 13) Divine and legal authority

22. Ezra 6 Vs. 1 Darius searches Vs. 2-5 Scroll is found Vs. 6-12 Darius tells Tatnai – 1) let the work alone (vs. 7) – 2) tax money used to build the Temple (vs. 8) – 3) priestly animals be given daily (vs. 9) – 4) disobedience leads to death (vs. 11) – Remember: the laws of the Medes and Persians couldnt be broken (Dan. 6:8,12,15)

23. Ezra 6 Vs. 13 Tatnai obeys Vs. 14 Jews build and prosper because of the prophesying (words of the Lord) and finished the Temple in 4 years Vs. 16 Temple dedicated with joy Vs. 17 offered sacrifices Vs. 19-21 kept the Passover Vs. 22 kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread with joy, because the Lord had made them joyful

24. Practical Application I Cor. 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Gen. 50:20 Ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good.