RESTORATIONS AND RECONCILIATIONS

LESSON 9

THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL

HAGGAI

Days 1 & 2: Ezra 4:1-5 with 2 Kings 17

1.Ezra 4:1 and Ezra 3:3 both mention people who were enemies of the returned exiles. Let’s look at these people:

a) 2 Kings 17:1-8, 21-23. Summarize what happened and why.

b) 2 Kings 17:24-28. Who were they, and how did they end up in Samaria?

c) 2 Kings 17:29-41. Why were they enemies of the returned exiles?

2. Ezra 4:1-3. What is their request and how does Zerubbabel answer?

3. What threat would this alliance have been to the restoration of God’s people and His temple?

4.What lesson can we learn from Zerubbabel’s reply?

5.Ezra 4:4-5, 24. The enemies of God’s people first approached them with a gesture of friendship and assistance, which was unsuccessful. What is their second approach and what is its success?

Days 3 & 4: Haggai 1

(NOTE: Haggai’s prophecies came after 15 years of no progress on the temple. He was the first post-exile prophet)

6. Haggai 1:1-11. a) Yesterday we looked at the discouragement of the returned exiles as a reason for the halt in progress on the temple. What perspective does God have on this, as you read through His introductory message to them?

b) What do think about the fact that their enemies so intimidated and discouraged them that they stopped work on the temple, yet didn’t discourage or hinder them from building “paneled houses” (NIV)? Quite an extravagance for that time!

c) What parallels for today, and even personally for you, can you see in this message?

7. a) As you read through this, note verses 6, 9-11, what does God say has been the experience of the exiles during this time, and why?

b) Remember Deuteronomy 28, Moses’ last message to Israel in which he outlined to them the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience? Review Deut. 28:15-19, 38-10. How can this be illustrated in Israel's experience?

8. Haggai 1:12-15. Note the peoples’ response to God and the result.

Days 5 & 6: Haggai 2

9. Haggai 1:15 - 2:9 a) Approximately how long had they been working on the temple when the word of the Lord came to them in this third message?

b) make a summary/outline of all the encouragement and promises God gives to them in this message.

9. c) Note vs. 2-3 and compare with Ezra 3:12. Do these verses from Haggai give a possible reason why the older priests and Levites, who had seen the former temple, were weeping so loudly? If so, why?

d) What specific promise is made to address this disappointment in the great difference between the “glory” of the two temples?

10. Haggai 2:10-19 a)Look back to Haggai 1:15. From the date given in vs. 10, about how long had they been working on the temple when God’s word came to them in this 4th message? Note that this message was given to the priests.

b) vs. 11-14. God's view of defilement is given here. Association with anything that is an abomination to God never sanctifies that which is defiled, but rather defiles that which is sanctified. As God gives this illustration of defilement, He ends by saying that they were defiled in His sight. Although this is a repeat of question 5, please explain how his principle of defilement through touch (or association, influence, etc.) is an expression of their experience. (from Ezra 4:4-5, 24)

d) vs. 15-19. (NOTE on vs. 16: These were harvest terms. Heaps were of grain; and vats, vessels, etc. were of grape juice.) Although this is a repeat of question 6, please summarize what God is saying here.

e) What is God promising in vs. 19?

11. What does it teach you about God, as we have seen that He has so many promises and such encouragement to this group, not only before the temple is finished, but just a few weeks into this project – one that will take years to complete?

12.What lesson for today have you gained from seeing how God has had to repeat the lessons from Deuteronomy 28 to the priests, and how He went about it?

13. Haggai 2:21-23. Haggai’s fifth and last message. a) Who is this one for?

13. b) What encouragement is there for him in this message?

c) What picture of God is given in this passage?

14. What have you learned about God in this week’s lesson?

© 2000 pjw