KNOWING GOD’S REDEMPTIVE STORY
Dive deep into the profound narrative of God's redemption as exemplified in the return from exile, showcasing the divine power to transform both physical landscapes and human spirits. Explore the intersection of faith, perseverance, and divine providence as God orchestrates an awe-inspiring narrative of restoration and renewal.
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Presentation Transcript
KNOWING GODS REDEMPTIVE STORY RETURNING FROM EXILE: GOD MOVES MOUNTAINS AND HEARTS
THINK ABOUT THIS How does the account of the return from exile help us understand our need for brokenness as part of God s redemptive plan?
Consider a project where you started strong but did not finish it. How would you describe what happened? Discuss
1. GOD WORKS THROUGH A PAGAN KING TO RETURN HIS PEOPLE TO JERUSALEM.
EZRA 1:1-7 1 In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD roused the spirit of King Cyrus to issue a proclamation throughout his entire kingdom and to put it in writing: 2 This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: The LORD, the God of the heavens, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. 3 Any of his people among you,
EZRA 1:1-7 may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 Let every survivor, wherever he resides, be assisted by the men of that region with silver, gold, goods, and livestock, along with a freewill offering for the house of God in Jerusalem.
EZRA 1:1-7 5So the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, along with the priests and Levites everyone whose spirit God had roused prepared to go up and rebuild the LORD s house in Jerusalem. 6All their neighbors supported them with silver articles, gold, goods, livestock, and valuables, in addition to all that was given as a freewill offering. 7King Cyrus also brought out the articles of the LORD s house that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem and had placed in the house of his gods.
What strikes you as unique about Cyrus involvement in the return of the exiles? Discuss
What mountains has God moved in your life, in this church? Discuss
How has this helped to enlarge your faith? Discuss
2. DESPITE OPPOSITION AND DISTRACTION, GOD S PLAN IS NOT THWARTED.
EZRA 4:1-5 1When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel, 2they approached Zerubbabel and the family heads and said to them, Let us build with you, for we also worship your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time King Esar-haddon of Assyria brought us here. 3But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other heads of Israel s families answered them, You may have no part with us in building a house for our God, since we alone will build it
EZRA 4:1-5 for the LORD, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia has commanded us. 4Then the people who were already in the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build. 5They also bribed officials to act against them to frustrate their plans throughout the reign of King Cyrus of Persia and until the reign of King Darius of Persia.
EZRA 4:24 24 Now the construction of God s house in Jerusalem had stopped and remained at a standstill until the second year of the reign of King Darius of Persia.
HAGGAI 1:14-15 14The LORD roused the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, the spirit of the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. They began work on the house of the LORD of Armies, their God, 15on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius.
In what ways have discouragement and distraction interfered with your service to the Lord? Discuss
What did God do to spur on a renewed commitment to the rebuilding of the temple? Discuss
In what ways has God shown Mobberly and its people favor? Discuss
3. BROKENNESS PREPARES GOD S PEOPLE FOR RESTORATION.
NEHEMIAH 8:1-10 1 all the people gathered together at the square in front of the Water Gate. They asked the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses that the Lord had given Israel. 2On the first day of the seventh month, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly of men, women, and all who could listen with understanding. 3 While he was facing the square in front of the Water Gate, he read out of it from daybreak until noon before the men, the women, and those who could understand.
NEHEMIAH 8:1-10 All the people listened attentively to the book of the law. 4The scribe Ezra stood on a high wooden platform made for this purpose. Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah stood beside him on his right; to his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5Ezra opened the book in full view of all the people, since he was elevated above everyone. As he opened it, all the people stood up.
NEHEMIAH 8:1-10 6Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and with their hands uplifted all the people said, Amen, Amen! Then they knelt low and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. 7Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah, who were Levites, explained the law to the people as they stood in their places. 8They read out of the book of the law of God, translating and giving the meaning so that
NEHEMIAH 8:1-10 the people could understand what was read. 9Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep. For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. 10Then he said to them, Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Look closely at Nehemiah 8:1-10; how would you describe the people s response to Ezra s reading of God s Word? Discuss
How is spiritual restoration like a freshwater spring in the desert of brokenness and confession? Discuss
GOSPEL FOCUS Ezra and Nehemiah paint a picture of a captive people experiencing restoration, hope, and the fulfillment of God s promises. For the Jewish people, annual sacrifices were offered at the temple to atone for their sins. Today we experience this through Jesus, the Lamb of God, who once and for all serves as the atoning sacrifice for our sin. In Christ, there is forgiveness of sin, restoration of a broken relationship, and hope. Our response is one of confessing sin and placing our faith in the Lord Jesus. This leads the forgiven sinner to proclaim, The joy of the Lord is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10). This is the hope that does not disappoint.
Below are several key facts from today s lesson to consider applying to our lives: Ask God to search your heart. As God reveals, confess your sin. Reflect on God s provision in your life. Praise God by remembering that The joy of the Lord is my strength. Apply
