1. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah …

2. Biblical Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Ezra Teaches The LawNehemiah Builds The Walls

3. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Cyrus Decrees The 1st Return Ezra 1  Ezra begins where the chronicle record in 2 Chron 36:14-23 ends  God allowed Jerusalem to be destroyed… its citizens to be taken away captive  The chronicler concludes by mentioning Cyrus & his decree to rebuild Jerusalem

4. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Cyrus Decrees The 1st Return Ezra 1  The 1st year of Cyrus v. 1a 538 B.C.  His decree “fulfilled what Jeremiah prophesied” Jer 25:11-12 29:10  This is more evidence of the inspiration and certainty of the word of God Isa 55:11 Mt 24:35

5. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Cyrus Decrees The 1st Return Ezra 1  The Lord “stirred His spirit” vv. 1b-2  Though not stated, it is evident God accomplished this through His word  For Cyrus to know God appointed him to build the temple necessitated knowledge of Isaiah’s prophecy Isa 44:28

6. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Cyrus Decrees The 1st Return Ezra 1  He addresses 2 groups vv. 3-4 Ê Those who returned v. 3  He invoked God’s blessings upon them Ë Those who chose to stay behind v. 4  They were to financially support the returning remnant with gold, silver, goods, cattle, and a freewill offering

7. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Cyrus Decrees The 1st Return Ezra 1  He addresses 2 groups vv. 3-4  Re: those who chose to stay behind…  All Jews were encouraged by Jeremiah to “seek the welfare” of the land to where they were being sent Jer 29:1-7  Now, they can all go home…however, some chose to stay where they were

8. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Cyrus Decrees The 1st Return Ezra 1  Ezra records those who returned v. 5  The heads of families, priests, Levites, and everyone who was “stirred” to go back  Detailed more specifically 2:1-63  Ezra records those who stayed v. 6a  Their task to was financially support their brethren forming the returning remnant

9. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Cyrus Decrees The 1st Return Ezra 1  The remnant is “encouraged” vv. 6b-11 Ê By the Jews who stayed behind v. 6b  They supplied them with all the things Cyrus had commanded Ë By Cyrus himself vv. 7-11  He restored the articles Nebuchadnezzar took 70 years earlier 2 Kings 24:13

10. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Cyrus Decrees The 1st Return Ezra 1  The remnant is “encouraged” vv. 6b-11  Identifying “Sheshbazzar” v. 8  Appointed governor by Cyrus 5:14  He laid the temple’s foundation 5:16  A Chaldean name  Many students believe this was another name for Zerubbabel Hebrew name

11. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Listing The Remnant Ezra 2  Ezra records the number of those who returned under Zerubbabel in 536 B.C.  It numbered just under 50,000 vv. 64-65  It is more than just a “list” of those who came back to Jerusalem  It is an “honor roll” of spiritually-minded, post-captivity Jews

12. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Listing The Remnant Ezra 2  Ezra records the number of those who returned under Zerubbabel in 536 B.C.  It lists those who accepted the challenge of leaving prosperity behind to journey back to a devastated land and rebuild it from its ruins

13. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Listing The Remnant Ezra 2  Ezra records the number of those who returned under Zerubbabel in 536 B.C.  Don’t lose sight of the “bigger picture”…  More was involved than just rebuilding a tattered & torn city  The rest of the Bible story depended upon this rebuilding Isa 2:2-3 Lk 24:46-47

14. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Listing The Remnant Ezra 2  The way the kingdom ended was a fair and just punishment  God told Jeremiah to pray for the Jews no longer Jer 7:12-34  The “final indicator”…God removed His glory from the temple Ezek 10:18

15. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Listing The Remnant Ezra 2  The way the kingdom ended was a fair and just punishment  Earlier than 586 B.C., God indicated He was through with His people Hos 5:1-7  These statements and actions are final in nature…God had seen enough !!

16. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Listing The Remnant Ezra 2  Despite God’s judgment, the remnant’s return emphasize once again His patient longsuffering 2 Pet 3:9  To allow His people another chance to go back home and rebuild a place they had destroyed shows His mercy & grace

17. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Listing The Remnant Ezra 2  Solving priestly problems vv. 61-63  Some were serving as priests once the remnant returned  However, they could not verify their ancestry Num 16:40  The governor decided they were to be removed from service

18. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Listing The Remnant Ezra 2  Solving priestly problems vv. 61-63  This issue would be resolved once a high priest could receive Divine revelation with Urim & Thummim Ex 28:30 Num 27:21  This was important…“starting over” necessitated doing things the right way (the “God-approved” way)

19. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Listing The Remnant Ezra 2  The contributions vv. 68-69  The heads of family groups made their contributions for the temple foundation  This was strikingly similar to what took place centuries earlier re: the Tabernacle Ex 25:2-7 35:4-9

20. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Listing The Remnant Ezra 2  The contributions vv. 68-69  Contributing was how they maintained a personal “sense of ownership”  This was a “willing sacrifice” POINT Ù everyone needs a sense of belonging to something greater than themselves

21. Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah …