1. Christ Baptist Church Spring 2015 Chapter 3:1-6

2. Ezra - Summary from last week Last week – Chapter 3:1-6 Worship – Often, together and with focus Festival of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Festival of Tabernacles Worshiped “as one man” – corporate worship was important to them The Altar Built in the face of opposition Consistent with the Law of Moses (Ezekiel 43:13-27) Hebrews 9:28- “ so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” Chapter 1 – God stirs King Cyrus to act Chapter 2 – God stirs the Israelites to return

3. Leviticus 23:23-44 The Festival of TrumpetsThe Day of AtonementThe Festival of Tabernacles 24 ‘On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of Sabbath rest, 27 “The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. 33 ‘On the fifteenth day of the 7 th month the L ORD ’s Festival of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days. a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts. Hold a sacred assembly and deny yourselves 35 The first day is a sacred assembly 36 on the eighth day hold a sacred assembly…. It is the closing special assembly 25 Do no regular work, but present a food offering to the L ORD.’” and present a food offering to the L ORD. 28 Do not do any work on that day do no regular work. 36 For seven days present food offerings to the Lord because it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the L ORD your God. Worship often, Worship together, Worship with focus Worship with focus.

4. Ezra 3:7-13 - Rebuilding Ezra 3:7 – Rebuilding the Altar 1.How did the rebuilding get started? 2.Where did the timber come from? Is there similarity to the building of the original temple? (1Kings 5:6-12, 2 Chron 2:10-16) 3. Fulfills Isaiah 60:13 13 The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the cypress, the plane, and the pine, to beautify the place of my sanctuary, and I will make the place of my feet glorious. Isaiah 60:13

5. Ezra 3:7-13 - Rebuilding Ezra 3:8-9 - Rebuilding the Temple 4. When did they begin work on the temple? Compare to 1 Kings 6:1. What parallel do we again see here? 5. Thought question: Why do you think Ezra used the phrase “arrival at the house of God?” ( It had not yet been rebuilt.) 6. Who oversaw the work? Why them? 7. In addition to the leaders, who participated in the rebuilding of the temple? (refer back to 3:1)

6. Ezra 3:7-13 - Rebuilding Ezra 3:8-9 - Rebuilding the Temple 8. Do you see the focus on unity, teamwork and leadership by example in v8? Division of duties and careful planning in v9? 9. Who was appointed to supervise the building? How old were the Levites appointed by David (1 Chron 23:24)? 10.Which leader is missing as appointments are handed out? Why do you think that is?

7. Ezra 3:7-13 - Rebuilding Ezra 3:10-13 - Praise, Nostalgia and Weeping Praise the L ORD ! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! 2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! 3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that has breath praise the L ORD ! Praise the L ORD ! Psalm 150 11. What did they do when the returnees finished the foundation? Whose directions did they use for worship? 12. What description did they give to God? Can you personalize this? (v11) 13. Why were they praising God? What did some of the older men do? Why?

8. Ezra 3:7-13 - Rebuilding Ezra 3:10-13 - Praise, Nostalgia and Weeping 14. Why do you think this was added to the commentary? 15. What is the significance of the foundation to the Jewish remnant? What is the significance to us? 16. What is significant about the last statement, “the sound was heard far away?” Haggai 2:1-9

9. Weekly Challenges - Applying God’s Word What does the alter represent for you today? How’s your foundation of Christian living? Are you in repentance, confession, prayer and the Word of God? Are you obedient and faithful. How is it important for you to demonstrate publically your faith this week?