RESTORATIONS AND RECONCILIATIONS
LESSON 8
THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL
EZRA
Day 1: Ezra 1
1. Review 2 Chronicles 36:15-23. Then look at vs. 21 with Jeremiah 25:11 and 29:10. What was the prophecy and how was it fulfilled?
2. Ezra 1:1-4 with 2 Chronicles 36:23. What is God's priority in the restoration of Israel?
3. Think back to our study in Lamentations, and how the loss of God's temple was just as significant to the Jews as was their loss of loved ones and their homes. Share some passages from last week's study that expresses that.
4. PERSONAL - In my own life, as I identify areas in need of restoration, where is my focus? On relational loss, material loss, circumstantial loss, etc. Or am I as concerned with spiritual loss as is God?
5. Ezra 1:1-6. Compare with Exodus 35:4 - 36:7. Note how God moved upon the hearts of the people, and the similarities with these two events.
6. Ezra 1:7-11. In addition to moving on the hearts of His people, how did God impress Cyrus to participate in the restoration of the temple?
7. What does today's lesson reveal to you about God, and what encouragement do you gain from this?
Day 2: Ezra 2
8. Let's look at Zerubbabel. Share what you learn about him from a) 1st Chronicles 3:10-19
8. b) Haggai 1:1
(NOTE: Sheshbazzar, from Ezra 1:11, is the Babylonian name for Zerubbabel, just as Daniel's Babylonian name was Belteshazzar.)
9. Ezra 2 lists the men who returned in the following groupings:
vs. 2 - group leaders (NOTE: Nehemiah and Mordecai were not the same Nehemiah or Mordecai from the books of Nehemiah or Esther)
vs. 3-20 - those who returned under their family name
vs. 21-35 - those who returned under their city's name
vs. 36-54 - those associated with the temple
vs. 55-58 - those from the kings' courts
vs. 59-63 - those who had lost record of their lineage, but were accepted to go along.
As you read through this list, was there something that impressed you? If so please share.
10. Ezra 2:68-70. What did the people do upon reaching their homeland?
Days 3 & 4: Ezra 3:1-6, with additional references below
11. a) Although the purpose of the return was to rebuild the temple, from vs. 1 (this is moreclear in the NIV), the people did not reassemble in Jerusalem to actually begin rebuilding until they had done something, what was it?
12. As you read through today's reading, vs. 1-6, note any aspect of this first part of the temple restoration that was new or impressive to you.
13. Although we could spend weeks studying the symbolism and meaning of the burnt offerings, let's briefly look at a few passages that will help us to understand their spiritual significance.
a) Exodus 20:22-24 (Scan through Exodus 20 if you need to put these verses into context) with Jeremiah 7:22-23. What was God's motive (or motives) in giving Israel the burnt offerings?
b) Read Leviticus 1:1-17 to understand the burnt sacrifice. Then read Lev. 22:17-23, 31-33. What was very significant about the sacrifice and why?
13. c) Leviticus 17:11. What was the part of the sacrifice that was for their benefit and why?
14. Although it was not revealed to these Jews, their burnt sacrifices had a connection with Jesus. As you read through the following passages, compare them with what you learned from the above texts, and note how Jesus is revealed through the burnt sacrifices.
a) Mark 14:24
b) John 1:29
c) Hebrews 9:14
15. Although there are no questions, read through Exodus 38:1-7, the account of the construction of the first altar of burnt sacrifice (for the tabernacle in the wilderness) and also read 2 Chronicles 4:1, Solomon's altar of burnt sacrifice. Then you will have an idea of what was needed to accomplish this first step in the temple's restoration. Remember that all of the major furnishings of the original temple were destroyed and had to be rebuilt completely. As you read these passages, note that one cubit = 20.5 inches, to help you understand the sizes of these altars.
In addition to the sacrifices connected with the Feast of Tabernacles (from our study in Ezratoday), the regular burnt offerings and freewill offerings offered to the Lord on this altar were:
a) Voluntary burnt offering - to make atonement for sin in general, not specific sins, Lev. 1.
b) Voluntary grain offering - to honor Him, Lev. 2.
c) Voluntary fellowship, or peace offering - to thank Him, Lev. 3.
d) Required sin offering - for unintentional sin, Lev. 4.
e) Required guilt offering - for specific sins of uncleanness or against another person, Lev. 5.
How do you sum up the restoration in this altar?
16. Read Leviticus 23:33-43 to learn about the Feast of Tabernacles. What special significance would this have for the returned exiles?
17. What have you learned about restoration from today's study that you would like to share with the group?
Days 5 & 6: Ezra 3:6-13
Ezra 3:6-8. The preparation for reconstruction of the temple. As you read through these texts, remember that the Jewish calendar has March as its first month; therefore September is its 7th month (vs. 6) and April would be its 2nd month
(vs. 8). From this it appears that some time was spent in preparation for the laying of the temple's foundation.
18. What preparation was spoken of in this record? (vs. 7)
19. 1 Chronicles 22:1-5, 14-19 with 2 Chronicles 2:1-17. As you read through these accounts of the original temple's construction, compare the similarities with Ezra 3:7-9. Also note any differences.
SIMILARITIES:DIFFERENCES:
20. Ezra 3:10-13. What are the responses of the people when the temple's foundation is finally laid?
21. As we studied the grief of the exiles through the Psalms, let's look at the joy of the returned exiles by looking at the following Psalms, which were written to celebrate the return of the exiles. Note the expressions of joy and thanksgiving for their return and their reconciliation with God.
a) Psalm 107
b) Psalm 126
c) Psalm 147
22. Personal: Just as the temple couldn't be reconstructed without a time of preparation and a laying of its foundation, so the changes we desire so much for restoration must have foundation and a time of preparation. Is there a lesson you learned from our study today, and have you rejoiced in it?
© 2000 pjw