The First Exiles Return To Jerusalem Ezra 2 & 3 Message by Michael J. Barnard May 29, 2016 Teaching Aim: To explore the return of the first exiles to Jerusalem and to understand the special mission they came home with. To realize how important the rebuilding of the altar in Jerusalem was to the Jewish people and their faith. To examine and see why there were both shouts of joy and tears of sadness at completion of the temple s foundation. To realize believers should get excited today when we see God at work in our country and churches! DIGGING DEEPER INTO GOD S WORD (BIBLE STUDY) Part I: The first exiles return to Jerusalem 50 years after the temple was destroyed in 586 B.C. (Ezra 2) 1. Chapter 2 lists the families that returned to Jerusalem with the first group of returning exiles. What two important Bible characters do we find in verse 2? (Note: The Nehemiah and Mordecai listed in verse 2 are not the same individuals that are found in the Book of Nehemiah and the Book of Esther.) What makes the two men of verse 2 so important to Israel s history? 2. The Jeshua of verse 2 is also called Joshua the High Priest in Haggai 1:1 and Zechariah 3:1. What is the meaning of the name Joshua? What two other important leaders in the Bible are named Joshua ( The LORD saves )? (See Exod. 33:11; Matt. 1:21) What can we learn about the spiritual integrity of Joshua the High Priest from verses 59-63? The most commonly heard charge today against Christians is that they are hypocrites. What can we as Christians do to increase our spiritual integrity? 3. How many people returned to Judah with the first wave of returning exiles (vv. 64-67)? How did this compare with the number of Jews that returned to the Promised Land during the exodus from Egypt? (See Exod. 12:37-38; Num. 1:44-47) Why do you think such a small number of Jewish exiles returned home this time when they had the opportunity? What subtle danger do American Christians face today while living in a highly materialistic culture? (See Matt. 16:24-26) What are some negative ways our culture has affected your family? 4. According to verse 68, who set the example in giving sacrificially towards the reconstruction of the house of the LORD? What is the Biblical standard for giving (vs. 69)? (See 2 Cor. 8:12; 2 Cor. 9:6-7) According to verse 69, how much did the heads of the fathers houses give toward the rebuilding of the temple? Does it excite you when you think about given to the Lord s work? 1
5. What was the function of each group of workers listed in verse 70? Who were the Nethinim and how do they tie together with the story of Joshua son of Nun? (See Josh. 9:1-27) Part II: The restoration of true worship at the temple mount in Jerusalem (Ezra 3:1-7) 1. During what month of the year do we find all of the people assembling in Jerusalem (vs. 1)? Why? (See Exodus 23:14-17) What are the Seven Feasts of Israel? (Hint: Google it!) How does each relate to Jesus? 1. 5. 2. 6. 3. 7. 4. 2. What does each feast symbolize? Which 3 feasts fall during the seventh month of the Jewish calendar? What can we learn in verse 1 about the unity of the Jews? 3. What did the Jewish people do under the leadership of Jeshua and Zerubabbel once they were gathered in Jerusalem (vs. 2)? Why is Jeshua mentioned first in this account before Zerubbabel? The temple had been completely destroyed in 586 B.C., why was it important to rebuild and consecrate the altar first before rebuilding the rest of the temple? What do the burnt offerings symbolize? 4. How did the returning exiles deal with their fear of Jerusalem s hostile pagan neighbors (vs. 3)? What kind of fears are you facing today? What is the best way to deal with fear? What are some ways you can turn your fears around today to help other people tomorrow? 5. What major Jewish feast did the Jewish people celebrate in Jerusalem for the first time in at least 50 years (vs. 4)? What is the significance of this feast? What future event does this feast point toward? From this point on, what did the Jewish people do when special days occurred (vs. 5)? According to verse 5, who willingly brought their offerings to the LORD? Do you regularly donate your time and money to LORD s work? Why or why not? 2
6. What major Jewish festival occurred on the first day of the seventh month (vs. 6)? (See Commentaries) What does this very meaningful day point towards? According to verse 6, had the foundation of the temple been laid at this point? 7. What did the Jewish people trade with the people of Sidon and Tyre in order to secure the cedar logs they needed to rebuild the temple (vs. 7)? Which previous king had dealt with the people of Sidon and Tyre in a similar way? (See 1 Kings 5:6-12) According to verse 7b, who authorized these transactions? Part III: The rebuilding of the second temple begins (Ezra 3:8-13) 1. What major event took place during the second month of the second year back in Judah (vs. 8)? During what month of the year did King Solomon begin construction on the first temple? (See 1 Kin. 6:1) Why do you think the age of the Levites working on the temple was lowered from 30 to 20 years of age at this time? 2. According to verse 9, what three families were assigned to supervise the project? What can we learn about the unity of these men and their families from verse 9? Why is unity and teamwork so important when it comes to ministry? What is the average tenure of a pastor in the United States today? Why do you think it is such a short time? What are some ways you can help others overcome discouragement in ministry? 3. Who began the celebration when the foundation of the temple was complete (vs. 10)? When were trumpets usually blown in Israel? According to verse 10, which king of Israel was very much involved in worship music? What kind of instrument did he play? (See 1 Sam. 16:23)Why is music such an important part of our worship time today? What are some ways that music can affect a time of worship? 3
4. How did the Jewish people react to the news that the foundation of the house of the LORD had been laid (vs. 11)? What is meant by the phrase responsive singing? How is responsive reading still used in churches today? In what way is Ezra 3:11 similar to Psalm 136:1? 5. How did the group of returning exiles respond when the singing stopped (vs. 11)? Have you ever experienced this kind of shouting at a sports event? Why do you think more Christians don t get excited at the victories we see in ministry today? 6. What kind of a mixed reaction is found in verse 12? Why the difference? Did the younger people have a point of reference to judge the glory of the second temple? The Jews had been in captivity for the previous 50 years, how did the returning exiles that were over 60 years old react, the ones who had seen Solomon s temple? Why do you think they reacted this way? 7. According to verse 13, how loud were the shouts of the people at the completion of the temple s foundation? Do you think the pagan neighbors living nearby heard the roar? How might this roar have affected their pagan neighbors? 8. Have you ever been afraid to do something God wanted you to do? Did you do it or not? What are some ways that fear can paralyze us and prevent us from growing spiritually? 9. What are some applications that you can take home with from this lesson? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 4
MINER S CORNER ~ Manna to live by! Bad things in our lives can either destroy us, or we can turn them around and use them for good like Joshua did. Only 49,897 Jewish exiles returned home to Judah when they had the chance; most had grown comfortable living in their pagan Babylonian culture and didn t want to leave. Team work is a key theme throughout the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The altar in Jerusalem was central to Jewish worship as well as to forgiveness of sin under the Old Covenant, no wonder the people celebrated! Tears of joy and shouts of gladness followed the laying of the foundation to the second temple, but tears of sadness were also shed because this temple would never measure up to the glory of Solomon s. As Christians we should always be excited when we see God at work in our lives and in the lives of others! 5