Lessons From Ezra Nehemiah Lessons From Ezra Nehemiah

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah …

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Ezra Teaches The Law Nehemiah Builds The Walls Biblical Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah The record of the Jews’ 1 st return under Zerubbabel concludes in Ezra 6 (516 B. C. ) Between Ezra 6 -7 is Esther’s heroic story to save Jews still in Persia from Haman Esth 1: 3

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Ezra leads the 2 nd remnant of Jews from Persia to Jerusalem (458 B. C. ) § It has been… … 80 years since Zerubbabel’s efforts … 58 years since the temple

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah The emphasis will be on another rebuilding project… this time, the city’s “spiritual infrastructure” It appears the post-exilic Jews in Jerusalem were guilty of backsliding again Ezra 7: 25

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Simply having a temple to worship God was not sufficient Jer 7: 1 -15 The remnant needed to be reminded again of the importance of faithful devotion to God and His covenant

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah The 2 nd Return Ezra 7 -8 § Decreed by Artaxerxes I in the 7 th year of his reign 7: 8 § Establishing Ezra 7: 1 b-5, 6, 10 § His priestly lineage cp. 2: 61 -63 Num 3: 10 § His expertise as a scribe 1 2 3 (knowledge)

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah The 2 nd Return § Establishing Ezra 7 -8 7: 1 b-5, 6, 10 § His preparation 1 2 (study…practice…teach) 3 § We can also do good work for the Lord if we adopt Ezra’s “formula” 12: 34 b-35 7: 14 -17 One Mt cannot teach what he. Jn does not know 2 and do himself Tim 2: 2

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah The 2 nd Return Ezra 7 -8 § Ezra’s success 7: 6 b, 8 -9 § Artaxerxes granted his requests because the Lord’s hand was upon him § His journey to Jerusalem from Persia (approx. 1, 000 miles) was accomplished in only 4 months

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah The 2 nd Return Ezra 7 -8 § Artaxerxes’ decree 7: 11 -26 § Much time had passed since Return #1 § More than likely, both Zerubbabel and Joshua were dead by now § Ezra having to teach indicates the remnant Jews had once again

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah The 2 nd Return Ezra 7 -8 § Artaxerxes’ decree 7: 11 -26 § Ezra authorized to lead the return v. 13 § Financial provisions and authorization for purchasing sacrificial animals, other necessary items vv. 15 -18

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah The 2 nd Return Ezra 7 -8 § Artaxerxes’ decree 7: 11 -26 § Ordination of civil magistrates and other officials v. 25 a § Ezra’s authority to teach the Law v. 25 b § Penalties for anyone who disobeys this decree v. 26

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah The 2 nd Return Ezra 7 -8 § Artaxerxes’ decree 7: 11 -26 § The decree clearly showed Ezra had the authority of the king behind him § Artaxerxes feared Divine wrath from Ezra’s God if Ezra were to be thwarted in any way re: post-exilic

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah The 2 nd Return Ezra 7 -8 § Harmonizing Artaxerxes’ decree with his letter from 4: 7 -23 § Most likely, this decree would have been after what is found in Ezra 4 § Earlier in his reign, he agreed to stop rebuilding efforts in

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah The 2 nd Return Ezra 7 -8 § Ezra’s praise for the decree 7: 27 -28 a § He takes no credit for himself § He credits God for causing this situation § He thanks God for the king’s goodness

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah The 2 nd Return Ezra 7 -8 § The list of those traveling 8: 1 -14 § The number (including Ezra) = 1, 515 § When factoring women & children, it could have numbered above 7, 000 cp. 8: 21 b § Compared to the 1 st return, the

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah The 2 nd Return § The journey Ezra 7 -8 8: 15 -32 § They camped at the river leading to Ahava § Staying there 3 days, it was discovered there were no Levites among them § Ezra sent for Levites at

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah The 2 nd Return § The journey Ezra 7 -8 8: 15 -32 § They proclaimed a fast, seeking God’s protection for the journey vv. 21 -23 § Before leaving Susa, Ezra refused military protection because of his faith in God

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah The 2 nd Return § The journey Ezra 7 -8 8: 15 -32 § Ezra divided the wealth & temple utensils among 22 priests & brethren vv. 24 -30 § They would be responsible for bringing it all safely to Jerusalem, and to deliver it to the priests at the temple

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah The 2 nd Return § The journey Ezra 7 -8 8: 15 -32 § God vindicated Ezra’s faith by bringing them safely to Jerusalem vv. 31 -32 § He was always “over them” § He was with them, delivering them from troubles on the way cp. Hag

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah The 2 nd Return § At Jerusalem Ezra 7 -8 8: 33 -36 § After resting for 3 days, Ezra delivered all the wealth & temple utensils to the priests and Levites § They also offered sacrifices cp. 7: 16 -17 § Finally, they delivered Artaxerxes’

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah …