The King’s Heart is in God’s Hand

Lesson for Sunday, January 7, 2018

REVIEW:

  • In our last few lessons, we taught through the 70 years of the Babylonian Captivity.
  • Today, we begin to look at the first stage of Israel’s return to Jerusalem. Just like the captivity happened in three stages, the return to Jerusalem also took place in three stages.
  • Today’s discussion will cover the first of the three.

BIBLE STUDY: This lesson really has one point: The King’s Heart is in God’s Hand and is supported by two examples in Ezra.

  1. Example #1: Cyrus (Ezra 1:1-2:2)
  2. Observe God’s Word
  3. Who was the king in this passage? Cyrus king of Persia.
  4. What is the reference to Jeremiah? Jeremiah had prophesied that the captivity would last 70 years (Jer. 25:11).
  5. Why did Cyrus make the proclamation? God stirred his heart to do so.
  6. Who was the proclamation delivered to? All of his kingdom.
  7. What interesting things do you notice about the proclamation of Cyrus? He acknowledges that the Lord God of heaven had given him all of the kingdoms; that God has commanded him to build the Temple in Jerusalem; he calls the Jews in his kingdom to return to their land; he calls for the non-Jews to support the efforts with material wealth.
  8. One of those points is most interesting and ties to a previous prophet. How is it that Cyrus knew God had ordered him to rebuild the Temple? It is likely that he had been shown the writings of Isaiah, possibly by Daniel (Dan. 6:28). Isaiah had called him by name in Isaiah 44:28 nearly 200 years earlier.
  9. What did Isaiah write about Cyrus in Is. 44:28? Cyrus is called God’s shepherd to perform His pleasures, and is portrayed as saying to Jerusalem and the Temple that they shall be rebuilt.
  10. Back to Ezra. How did the leaders of Judah and Benjamin respond? Prepared to return to Jerusalem.
  11. Why did they respond this way? God moved their spirits to respond.
  12. How were the Jews encouraged by the other people around them? The others encouraged them with silver, gold, goods, and livestock to return to Jerusalem.
  13. What else did Cyrus do to help the Jews? Gave them the Temple treasure that had been taken by Nebuchadnezzar.
  14. Interpret the Truth
  15. God proclaimed through Isaiah and Jeremiah that the Jews would return to Jerusalem after 70 years and that the Temple and the city would be rebuilt. This wasn’t a random prophecy – it was a very specific proclamation of the very king who would bring these things to pass.
  16. What attributes of God are displayed in bringing about these events? His sovereignty and His omniscience.
  17. How does Prov. 21:1 help us to understand Ezra 1 more fully? Ezra 1 is a clear example of how God directs the hearts of kings.

The King’s Heart activity – DO THIS!

  1. Example #2: Darius (Ezra 3:1-11)
  2. Observe God’s Word
  3. After settling into their homes, the Jews built the altar so the sacrifices could commence.
  4. What were the people afraid of as they built? The people around them that had settled in the land during their absence.
  5. What preparations were being made in vs. 6-7? They continued the sacrifices while they were planning for and paying for the materials and workmen for the Temple.
  6. Sadly, the adversaries of Israel rose up and stopped the construction. As the political battle raged, the Israelites lost heart and the building stopped for about 16 years.
  7. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah stirred up the people and delivered God’s command to resume the building, and King Darius sent a letter affirming the order from Cyrus.Read Ezra 6:13–22.
  8. When was the Temple completed? 6th year of Darius’ reign – 515 BC.
  9. How did the Israelites respond at the dedication of the Temple? Offered many sacrifices and celebrated with joy.
  10. Interpret the truth: Once again we see God at work in the life of a king. God turned the heart of Darius to be favorable toward the Jewish people so they could complete their work.

Applying God’s Word

  • Understand that all of this was done to point forward to Jesus. The Temple and the sacrifices that took place were a shadow of Jesus. The Passover and other festivals all pointed to Jesus. God was guiding history to the birth of Messiah and ultimate redemption.
  • How would you describe God’s role in the rebuilding of the Temple?
  • What has struck you most about God’s involvement in the affairs of men?
  • How do these (and other) passages influence the way that you interpret and think about the government that is ruling over our country?
  • How does this lesson help us to look to Christ as the source of our hope?
  • How could you use the information from this lesson to encourage a fellow saint who is discouraged about events and circumstances in society? God’s sovereignty and care for His people is on display in all of the events – that should give us great hope!