1. Christ Baptist Church Spring 2015 Chapter 7:1-10

2. Ezra / Nehemiah Timeline 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 Chap 7 - 10 Chap 5 - 6 Chap 4:7-23 Chap 1 – 4:6,24 80 years

3. Chapter 7 - Ezra Arrives! Ezra 7:1-5 1.How many years passed between the first exodus led by Zerubbabel and the second led by Ezra? 2.Ezra has a remarkable lineage. Who was Zadok? (1Kings 1:32) How far back does the lineage go? 3.How was Ezra uniquely qualified to lead the spiritual life of the Jewish people? Why was this important?

4. Chapter 7 - Ezra Arrives! Ezra 7:6-7 4.What was Ezra and what were his skills? 5.What made this special (Law of Moses)? Why should it be special to you? What gift do you possess from God today? (Eph 2:8-9) 6.Why do you think the king granted him all he asked for? How is this different from Moses leaving Egypt? 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

5. Chapter 7 - Ezra Arrives! Ezra 7:6-7 7.What do these two verses tell you about Ezra’s character? 8.Why do you think the “hand of the Lord his God was on him?” What do you get out of the wording? 9.What is the model for planning and strategy?(Col 1:29) Col 1:29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me

6. Chapter 7 - Ezra Arrives! Ezra 7:8-9 10.Which city did Ezra come from and which city did he arrive in? What does Robert Fyall say about this journey (p103)? 11.What was “on” him? Ezra 7:10 12.From v10 list 4 things Ezra did with the Law. 13.Application: What are some important lessons we can learn regarding Bible study from Ezra’s example? (2 Tim 4:2, Nehemiah 8) preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, & exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 2 Tim4:2

7. Christ Baptist Church Spring 2015 Chapter 7:12-28

8. Weekly Challenges - Applying God’s Word Devoting ourselves to God Studying His Word Acting according to His Will Teaching others about His Grace Are we:

9. Ezra Chapter 7 – Letter from king Artaxerxes Ezra 7:11-12 1.1.Who is the author of the letter and how is he described? 2.2.What two authorities are mentioned in these two verses? 3.How is Ezra described and what responsibilities did Artaxerxes say he had? The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will Proverbs 21:1

10. Ezra Chapter 7 – Letter from king Artaxerxes Tomb of Cyrus the Great at Pasargadae

11. Ezra Chapter 7 – Letter from king Artaxerxes Ezra 7:12-20 4.What three groups are allowed to return with Ezra? 5.What did the letter of the king authorize Ezra to do in vs 12-20?

12. Ezra Chapter 7 – Letter from king Artaxerxes VSDescription 13 Ezra can go to Jerusalem People, Priests and Levites can go to Jerusalem on their own free will In all the realm 14 Inquire about Jerusalem and Judah and send a report back Institute the Law of God 15 Take with them a free will offering from the king and his counsellors Live in Jerusalem 16 Take a free will offering of gold and silver from the people of Babylon Use it for offerings in the house of their God in Jerusalem 17 Use the money to buy bulls, rams, lambs with meal offerings and their drink offerings Offer them upon the alter of the house of your God in Jerusalem 18 Use the rest in ways that seem good to you 19 Use the vessels of worship for worship of God 20 Take whatever less you need to worship God from the treasury

13. Ezra Chapter 7 – Letter from king Artaxerxes Ezra 7:21-24 – To the Treasurers beyond the River 6.What official title does Artaxerxes give Ezra in v 21? 7.What else did he promise Ezra in vv 21-23? What reason did he give in v23? 8.What protection was given to religious leaders in v24?

14. Ezra Chapter 7 – Letter from king Artaxerxes Ezra 7:25-28 – Closing - To you, Ezra 9.What authority and responsibilities were given to Ezra? 10.How did Ezra respond to the king’s commands (vv 27,28)? 11.Who gave Ezra the strength or courage to perform his tasks and responsibilities?

15. Weekly Challenges - Applying God’s Word Ezra made an impact on Artaxerxes. What impact are you making on non-believers? How does a non-believer describe you? Ezra gives God the complete credit (“hand of my God”) are you giving God the credit in your life when things are good in your life? What about when they go bad?

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