Month: October 2025

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 10, Day 5: Ezra 6:13-22

October 30, 2025October 12, 2025 by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Ezra 6:13-22

The temple was completed on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. The people celebrated with offerings and then with Passover.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 10, Day 5: Ezra 6:13-22

11) With joy. They offered a hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred male lambs, and, as a sin offering for all Israel, twelve male goats, one for each of the tribes of Israel. And they installed the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their groups for the service of God.

12) The Passover celebration was profoundly significant as it symbolized a “second Exodus.” It was the first one celebrated in the newly completed Temple, marking not just a return from exile but a spiritual restoration. It unified the community, including all who purified themselves, re-establishing their identity as God’s redeemed people.

13a) The people remembered that God had changed the attitude of the king of Assyria and assisted them with the temple rebuilding. They also remembered how the Lord redeemed them from Egypt.

b) Honestly, every day is a kindness, and there are too many to pinpoint one. I try to celebrate Him every day of my life!

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 10, Day 5: Ezra 6:13-22

I love how the people succeeded with God’s help in rebuilding the temple for worship to the One and Only God!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 10, Day 5: Ezra 6:13-22

Everyone was strengthened by God, and they prospered. Even though God blessed the people, the work was still hard, but they did it!

It took 4 years to complete the temple from the time the building was resumed. The year was 515 BC. The city walls will be restored during the reign of Artaxerxes in the time of Nehemiah.

For comparison, Solomon sacrificed 142,000 animals when the first temple was dedicated. Here, we see only 712 sacrificed. This was for financial reasons, not for lack of faith and love for the Lord.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread celebrated the purity of God’s people.

The people were full of joy for this!

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Ezra 6:13-22 describes the triumphant completion and joyful dedication of the Second Temple, culminating in the unified celebration of Passover. It marks the successful fulfillment of the exiles’ mission, brought about by God’s intervention through foreign kings.

Interpretation

Swift Completion (vv. 13-15): Spurred on by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, and now fully funded and protected by King Darius’s decree, the Jewish leaders finished building the Temple with great speed. The work was completed on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of Darius’s reign. The text emphasizes that this success was due to the command of God and the decrees of the Persian kings Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes.
Joyful Dedication (vv. 16-18): The entire community—the people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites—dedicated the new Temple with great joy. They offered hundreds of animals as sacrifices, including a sin offering for each of the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing the reunification of the entire nation. They then organized the priests and Levites for service in the Temple according to the Law of Moses.
Purified Celebration (vv. 19-22): The returned exiles celebrated the Passover, a festival central to their identity as God’s redeemed people. They were joined by others who had separated themselves from the impurity of the surrounding peoples. The chapter concludes by noting their immense joy, attributing it to God, who had “changed the heart of the king of Assyria” (a term used for the Persian king) to support them.

Conclusion

This passage is the climax of the rebuilding narrative, showcasing a community restored and worship re-established. The dedication and Passover celebration signify more than just the completion of a building; they represent the spiritual rebirth of the nation. It powerfully demonstrates that God fulfilled His promise, turning political opposition into royal support and restoring His people to a state of joyful, purified worship in their own land.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 10, Day 4: Ezra 4:1-6:12

October 29, 2025October 12, 2025 by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Ezra 4:1-6:12

Ezra 4:

The enemies of Israel offered to help build the temple. The Israelites said no, so they began to work against the building of the temple, using intimidation and bribes. The enemies persuaded King Artaxerxes to make the Israelites stop building the walls of Jerusalem.

Ezra 5:

In the second year of the reign of Darius, the King of Persia, the temple rebuilding began again with the help of the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah. Their enemies tried to stop them again, but the Israelites delayed them by writing a letter to King Darius to make a decision, citing that King Cyrus had granted them permission.

Ezra 6:1-12:

King Darius found the decree issued by Cyrus that allowed the rebuilding of the temple, so the Israelites were allowed to continue. He gave them money to do so and threatened anyone who stopped the Jews with death.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 10, Day 4: Ezra 4:1-6:12

9a) First, they offered to “help,” which was turned down. Then they tried to intimidate the Israelites with fear. Finally, they appealed to the King with lies, which worked and forced the construction to stop.

Through His prophets (5:1-2): God used the prophets to prophesy to the Jews to encourage them to rebuild the temple again.

Through powerful kings, despite local resistance (5:3-6:12): The people wrote a letter to the reigning king, King Darius, and used the fact that King Cyrus had given them permission. This proclamation was found, and King Darius honored the terms, so the temple could be rebuilt again.

c) Ezra 4:6-23 is a non-chronological summary of future opposition. The author “flashes forward” to the reigns of Kings Xerxes and Artaxerxes, showing how adversaries wrote letters accusing the Jews of rebellion. This successfully halted the later work of rebuilding Jerusalem’s city walls, illustrating the long-term hostility faced.

10a) Nothing or no one can stop God and His plans. He uses people and moves people so that His plans come to pass.

b) Mostly through other people or life’s circumstances. It comes in doubt, fears, discouragement, and more. Now, it’s time that works against me.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 10, Day 4: Ezra 4:1-6:12

Great lesson on how God moves people so that His work is accomplished.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 10, Day 4: Ezra 4:1-6:12

The foreigners who had been living in Judea since the exiles were not happy that the people were returning. Therefore, they mount an opposition to the temple building. These adversaries were the Samaritans. They were half God-fearing, half-pagans 2 Kings 17:33

Ongoing resistance began to both the temple building and the wall building.

We meet 2 other Persian kings here: Ahasuerus (Xerxes, who reigned between 485 and 465 B.C.) and Artaxerxes I (who reigned between 464 and 424 B.C.).

Fun Fact: Ezra 4:8-6:18 is all written in Aramaic.

The accusations of Israel’s enemies were both true and lies. The past of the Israelites persuaded Artaxerxes, so the building was halted for 15 years.

God sends the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, to get the building project moving again.

Haggai records much of what happened here, rebuking the Israelites for their lackadaisical attitude towards the temple rebuilding Haggai 1:2-10. God intervenes (Haggai 1:7-8). He began to speak to the people 16 years after the temple rebuilding first began in 520 BC.

Zechariah means “the Lord remembers.” His job is to motivate the people to continue. God protects His people here.

Tattenai was a local governor for Persia. Tattenai sends a letter to King Darius, explaining the situation. The old scroll of Cyrus is found. Darius allows the work to continue based on historical pretext. The Jews are to pray for his family and his sons. The work should be completed ASAP.

Remember that the book of Nehemiah focuses on the rebuilding of the city and its walls.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

This section of Ezra chronicles a period of intense opposition, prolonged delay, and ultimate divine vindication in the rebuilding of the Temple. It shows how God’s plan prevails despite persistent human resistance.

Interpretation

Initial Opposition (Ezra 4:1-5): Immediately, adversaries—the people living in the land, later known as Samaritans—offer to “help” build the Temple, but their intentions are hostile. When their offer is rejected by Zerubbabel to maintain religious purity, they actively work to stop the project through intimidation and political bribery, successfully halting the work for about 16 years.
Thematic Flash-Forward (Ezra 4:6-23): The author inserts a summary of later opposition during the reigns of Kings Xerxes and Artaxerxes. This section, which focuses on stopping the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls, is not chronological but serves to show that the hostility was a long-term, persistent problem for the returning exiles.
Work Resumes Through Prophetic Encouragement (Ezra 4:24-5:5): After the long delay, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah stir the people to resume building. When a local governor, Tattenai, challenges their authority, the Jewish elders cite King Cyrus’s original decree. Protected by “the eye of their God,” they are allowed to continue building while the matter is investigated.
Divine Vindication Through King Darius (Ezra 5:6-6:12): Tattenai sends a letter to King Darius requesting a search of the royal archives. Miraculously, Cyrus’s scroll is found. Darius not only reaffirms the original decree but issues a powerful new one: he commands Tattenai not to interfere, orders the entire cost of the Temple to be paid from the royal treasury, provides for the daily sacrifices, and issues a death penalty for anyone who obstructs the work.

Conclusion

This narrative powerfully demonstrates God’s sovereignty over human history and politics. Though the project was stalled for years by fierce opposition, God’s purpose was never defeated. He used the encouragement of prophets and even the legal system of a pagan empire to not only restart the work but to ensure its completion with greater resources and protection than before. It is a story of how God turns obstacles into instruments for His will.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 10, Day 3: Ezra 3:7-13

October 28, 2025October 12, 2025 by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Ezra 3:7-13

The people, along with Zerubbabel and Joshua, began rebuilding the temple. Levites supervised the rebuilding. When the builders laid the foundation, the people praised the Lord loudly.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 10, Day 3: Ezra 3:7-13

6) The masons and carpenters were paid. Food, drink, and olive oil were given as trade to the people of Sidon and Tyre to bring cedar logs up. The people began the work, and the Levites supervised the building.

7a) People were praising and thanking God using cymbals and song, but the older priests, Levites, and families were weeping as they remembered the old temple. There were shouts of joy and weeping noises. The sound was heard far away.

b) God working in your life can be extremely overwhelming to the point of tears. Happy times can be incredibly sad, too. This bittersweet feeling arises when a happy new beginning is deeply connected to a meaningful ending or loss. The joy for the future coexists with a sadness for what is now in the past.

8 ) God’s words about thinking about Him always. God’s faithfulness in all the daily processes.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 10, Day 3: Ezra 3:7-13

I love seeing the hard work and preparations that go into such a huge and important project. Everyone is participating, too. So great!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 10, Day 3: Ezra 3:7-13

Now that the altar was finished, the work on the temple could begin. Cedar trees from Lebanon were renowned for being the best. They were used by Solomon in the construction of the first temple (1 Kings 5:6).

Remember that the King of Persia, Cyrus, promised to help support the rebuilding of the temple financially.

Note the temple was called the house of God at Jerusalem.

The mention of the age of the Levites was important because the Law of Moses stated the Levites began their service at 30 (Numbers 4:1-3, 4:3-47), but David changed the age to 20 (1 Chronicles 23:24).

The priests were in ceremonial attire, the musicians sang praises, and the people joined in.

King Solomon spent billions of dollars on the first temple, and the old men knew this temple would be much simpler. They were happy at the restoration, but sad at the destruction of the first one. Some may even have seen the first temple destroyed. And, many things would be missing: the Ark of the Covenant, the mercy seat, manna, Aaron’s rod, and more.

Many say that the old men should not regret the past but look forward to the future. And, the prophets warned against despising this temple for its humble beginnings (Haggai 2:1-9, Zechariah 4:8-10).

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Ezra 3:7-13 details the official start of the Temple’s reconstruction and the powerful, mixed emotional response of the community. It captures a pivotal moment of transition from planning to action, blending hope for the future with memories of the past.

The Work Begins

The leaders paid masons and carpenters and purchased materials, notably cedar logs from Lebanon, mirroring the process Solomon used for the First Temple. In the second year of their return, Zerubbabel and Jeshua organized the workforce, appointing the Levites to supervise the construction. The work officially began as they laid the foundation of the new Temple.

A Mixed Reaction of Joy and Sorrow

Once the foundation was laid, the priests and Levites led a ceremony of praise and thanksgiving to God. The younger generation, who had never seen the original Temple, erupted in a great shout of joy, celebrating the new beginning.

Simultaneously, the older priests, Levites, and family heads who remembered the grandeur of Solomon’s Temple wept loudly. Their tears were not of joy, but of sorrow, as the new foundation was clearly modest in comparison to the glorious past they had lost. The sound was so profound that the shouts of joy were indistinguishable from the sounds of weeping.

Conclusion

This passage marks the tangible fulfillment of the exiles’ mission, but it reveals the complex reality of restoration. The joy of a new start was mingled with the painful memory of what had been lost. It shows that rebuilding is not just about the future; it is also an act of confronting the past. The scene poignantly captures a community caught between hopeful celebration and sorrowful remembrance, united in a single, powerful sound.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 10, Day 2: Ezra 3:1-6

October 27, 2025October 12, 2025 by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Ezra 3:1-6

Joshua and Zerubbabel began to rebuild the altar of God once the Israelites had settled into their towns. They sacrificed burnt offerings. They celebrated the Festival of Tabernacles. They commenced regular offerings.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 10, Day 2: Ezra 3:1-6

3) Offering sacrifices to God was how the people worshiped and obeyed God. It was of utmost importance. It also allowed the people to be cleansed from their sins. It was the most essential and immediate way for the exiles to restore their covenant relationship with God. Before the people could build a house for God, they first had to re-establish their home in His presence through worship, forgiveness, and dependence. The altar was the crucial starting point for that restoration.

4) They rebuilt the altar despite their fear of the people around them.

5a) The exiles rebuilt the altar on its original foundation. They celebrated the Festival of Tabernacles with the required number of burnt offerings prescribed for each day. After that, they presented the regular burnt offerings, the New Moon sacrifices, and the sacrifices for all the appointed sacred festivals of the Lord, as well as those brought as freewill offerings to the Lord. They began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord. They followed God’s commands precisely.

b) Worship is setting aside time to prioritize praising God, hearing from Him, obeying Him, and doing His will for my life. I can praise Him each and every day as often as I remember, too. I can give Him the glory always. I can follow Jesus and His ways for my life. I can help others and be a light. I can honor God through my daily living.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 10, Day 2: Ezra 3:1-6

I love how worshipping and obeying the Lord are prioritized here. Such beauty, even in the small things!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 10, Day 2: Ezra 3:1-6

For the Israelites, the 7th month was dominated by worship and festivals: The Day of Atonement, The Feast of Trumpets, and the Feast of the Tabernacles.

The altar was built in the same place where the old temple had stood.

Rebuilding the altar was the first step to prioritizing God. It was quick and gave them a place to worship.

The altar allowed for atonement of their sins. Therefore, it was super important to have.

The Feast of Tabernacles was the celebration to remember God’s faithfulness to His people as the Israelites journeyed to the Promised Land. It was one of three major feasts of the Israelites.

During their exile, the Jews could not regularly offer sacrifices to God due to religious restrictions. Now, they could once again.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Ezra 3:1-6 details the first and most urgent priority of the returned exiles: the restoration of communal worship. It shows a community unified in purpose, re-establishing its covenant relationship with God before undertaking any other major project.

Led by the high priest Jeshua and the governor Zerubbabel, the people gathered in Jerusalem “as one,” demonstrating profound unity. Their immediate action was not to build houses or city walls, but to rebuild the altar on its original foundation. They did this despite their fear of the surrounding peoples, showing that their fear of God and desire for His favor outweighed their fear of man.

Upon completing the altar, they immediately reinstated the core practices of their faith as prescribed in the Law of Moses: the daily morning and evening burnt offerings and the celebration of the Festival of Tabernacles. The passage culminates by emphasizing a critical point: this complete restoration of the sacrificial system began before the Temple’s foundation was even laid.

Conclusion

This passage powerfully illustrates that the true foundation of the restored community was not physical stone, but spiritual devotion. By prioritizing the altar over the Temple building, the people declared that the act of worship and communion with God was more important than the house where it would take place. Their actions were a statement of faith, re-consecrating the nation to God and seeking His presence and protection as the essential first step in their new life.

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Friday’s Digest BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 9

October 24, 2025October 11, 2025 by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN BSF EXILE & RETURN: A TIME TO BUILD LESSON 9

We shine God’s light to others
Your light can make a difference in others’ lives
God’s people need leaders
We can live daily in God’s presence
God knows everything and can do anything
God provides everything we need to fulfill His purposes

TAKE AWAY: God has a plan for your life.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 9, Day 5: Ezra 2

October 23, 2025October 11, 2025 by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Daniel Ezra 2

Ezra lists the names of the exiles who returned to Jerusalem. The whole company numbered 42,360. When they arrived in Jerusalem, some gave offerings to the Lord to help rebuild the temple. The people settled down.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 9, Day 5: Ezra 2

12) There were people from all the tribes and walks of life. The descendants of Parosh, the men of Jerusalem, priests, the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel, musicians, gatekeepers of the temple, temple servants, descendants of the servants of Solomon, and more returned to Jerusalem. Slaves came as well.

13a) So that those who returned could be remembered and to preserve the line of the Messiah to come.

b) God’s attention to detail gives me peace and comfort that He has everything in His hands.

14a) The fact that they gave God a freewill offering when they returned to the Promised Land to rebuild the temple so that they could have a formal place to worship the Lord.

b) By giving my time and effort to things of the kingdom. By evangelism. This blog. Helping others find the Lord. Shining the light of the Lord. And many other ways.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 9, Day 5: Ezra 2

I love how these people are so special to God that their names are recorded, just like ours are in the Book of Life.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 9, Day 5: Ezra 2

Zerubbabel was the governor of the province of Judah. He was also a descendant of the last king of Judah. Bible scholars believe he is probably the same person mentioned in Ezra 1:8 as Sheshbazzar.

We see Jeshua in Haggai 2:1-5, too.

The list only lists the heads of the family and the men, so the number who returned was much greater.

Do note that most of the priests stayed in Babylon. Here, we only see four divisions of the Levites return (out of 24 in total).

It was important to prove genealogy for the priesthood. Otherwise, they were excluded and considered as defiled.

This was the first wave of returnees and was a small number compared to those who stayed in Babylon.

Those who did give to rebuild the temple show how valued worship is in their eyes.

The Promised Land was once again filled with God’s people!

We all have a unique role in God’s kingdom.

The book of Ezra begins at the end of Israel’s 70-year exile.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Ezra Chapter 2 is essentially the official census of the first wave of Jewish exiles who returned from Babylon to Judah. It serves as a foundational document, meticulously listing the people by family lineage to establish their identity as the legitimate remnant of Israel, restored to their homeland.

The Registry of Returnees

The chapter provides a detailed and structured accounting of all who made the journey.

Leadership and Families: The list begins by naming the primary leaders, such as Zerubbabel and Jeshua, before proceeding to enumerate the people according to their ancestral families or the towns their ancestors came from.
Religious Orders: Special attention is given to the religious personnel essential for restoring worship. The chapter provides specific counts for the priests, Levites, temple singers, and gatekeepers.
Unconfirmed Lineage: The record is precise enough to note those who could not definitively prove their Israelite ancestry. This group included certain priests who were excluded from their duties until their lineage could be verified by the Urim and Thummim, demonstrating the importance of maintaining priestly purity.

Totals and Contributions

The census culminates with a grand total and an account of the community’s resources and initial actions.

Total Assembly: The entire group numbered 42,360 people, in addition to thousands of servants and singers, and a large number of livestock.
Offerings for the Temple: Upon their arrival in Jerusalem, the heads of the families demonstrated their commitment by giving generous freewill offerings. They donated large amounts of gold, silver, and priestly garments specifically for the work of rebuilding the Temple.

Conclusion

More than just a list of names, Ezra 2 is a charter for the new community. It validates their identity, establishes their connection to the pre-exilic Israel, and documents their unified commitment to the central task of their return: rebuilding the House of the Lord. The detailed record underscores the fulfillment of God’s promise and the organized, dedicated nature of the people who returned.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 9, Day 4: Ezra 1:5-11

October 22, 2025October 11, 2025 by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Daniel Ezra 1:5-11

God’s people prepared to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. They were given valuable gifts to do the project. All of the articles taken from the temple by the Babylonians were returned as well.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 9, Day 4: Ezra 1:5-11

9a) God moved the hearts of those who were to return to Jerusalem, and He moved the heart of Cyrus to help, too.

b) Hardship. After all, this is ancient times were travel was extremely difficult and dangerous. They were probably afraid.

c) God gives His people the strength to do anything.

10) God provided the resources and everything the exiles would need to complete the mission. God has provided everything for me. I can’t complain.

11) These verses teach me that when something is the will of God, everything falls into place to accomplish it.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 9, Day 4: Ezra 1:5-11

Great lesson about how where there’s God’s will, there is always a way.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 9, Day 4: Ezra 1:5-11

God encouraged His people through the challenges they were facing.

The treasures of the Temple were taken to Babylon (2 Chronicles 36:18). Now, Cyrus returns them.

Notice what is missing: the Ark of the Covenant, the altar, the lampstands, the incense. Presumably, these were destroyed when the Jews were exiled and Jerusalem was conquered.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Ezra 1:5-11 describes the two-fold response to King Cyrus’s decree: the people’s preparation and the king’s provision. It marks the tangible beginning of the mission to return to Jerusalem, showing both a spiritual stirring among the people and the practical return of their sacred heritage.

The People’s Response

Following the proclamation, the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, along with the priests and Levites, were spiritually moved by God to undertake the journey to rebuild the Temple.

Their neighbors, who were staying behind, actively supported them, fulfilling Cyrus’s command from verse 4. They provided generous contributions of silver, gold, goods, livestock, and other valuable gifts, equipping the returning exiles for their massive undertaking.

The King’s Provision

King Cyrus formally returned the sacred treasures of the Temple that King Nebuchadnezzar had looted from Jerusalem decades earlier.

These items were taken from the treasury, counted by a Persian official named Mithredath, and officially handed over to Sheshbazzar, identified as “the prince of Judah.” The text provides a detailed inventory, listing thousands of gold and silver dishes, pans, and bowls, totaling 5,400 articles.

Conclusion

This passage demonstrates the immediate and practical results of God’s divine plan. It shows a unified and divinely-motivated response from the Jewish leaders, the generous support of the surrounding community, and the official, tangible restoration of Israel’s holy treasures. The return of these specific articles was profoundly significant, as it symbolized the legitimate restoration of worship and the direct link between the new Temple and the original one built by Solomon.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 9, Day 3: Ezra 1:1-4

October 21, 2025October 12, 2025 by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Daniel Ezra 1:1-4

Cyrus king of Persia says that the Lord has given him the kingdoms of the earth and appointed him to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. All of God’s people are free to return to their land to do so, and they will be given help and treasures to accomplish this.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 9, Day 3: Ezra 1:1-4

6) “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah.”

7) The people to return to Israel and Jerusalem and for God’s temple to be rebuilt in Jerusalem.

8a) Honestly, this is God so I find this completely normal and not per se remarkable at all.

8b) God is in control, and all I have to do is place my faith and hope in Him and the world will work as He deems.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 9, Day 3: Ezra 1:1-4

Great stuff! I love how God always has a plan, and I love to see it unfold. So much hope for the people in these verses (and encouragement for us as we witness God’s faithfulness at work!).

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 9, Day 3: Ezra 1:1-4

God prompts Cyrus to allow His people to return home and rebuild the temple. Interestingly, we don’t meet Ezra till chapter 7. Here, we’ll see the people themselves returning to the homeland.

Prophecies were powerful back in biblical times, so the king may have heard of Daniel’s prophecies, which helped to prompt him.

This is told in 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 too.

Isaiah prophecied about Cyrus too: Isaiah 44:28-45:4.

We see this encouragement in the Books of 1 and 2 Chronicles to return and rebuild the Temple. However, only a small percentage of the refugees actually did (Isaiah 10:22).

There was only a small portion of people living in Jerusalem and Israel after the exile had taken place. They had it rough, but God was about to return! (2 Kings 25:12; Jeremiah 39:10; 40:7; 52:16). (Jeremiah 6:12). (Jeremiah 40:11-12). (Lamentations 5:2-5) (Lamentations 5:11-13).

The theme of Ezra is not only the return of the exiles to the Promised Land, but also with the mandate to rebuild the Temple. As always, religion is central in God’s world (and in ours!).

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Ezra 1:1-4 records the fulfillment of divine prophecy through the official decree of a foreign king. In these verses, God stirs the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia to authorize and fund the end of the Babylonian exile.

The Proclamation of Cyrus

Cyrus’s proclamation, detailed in verses 2-4, contains three key components:

Divine Commission: Cyrus begins by acknowledging that his vast empire was given to him by “the LORD, the God of heaven” and that this same God has appointed him to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. This is a remarkable admission from a non-Jewish ruler, framing the project as a divinely sanctioned mission.
Permission to Return: He grants all Jewish exiles throughout his empire explicit permission to return to Jerusalem to undertake the rebuilding of the Temple. He adds a blessing, “May their God be with them!”, signifying his official approval.
Provision for the Journey: Cyrus commands his own non-Jewish subjects to materially support the returning exiles. They are to provide them with silver, gold, goods, and livestock, in addition to a special offering for the Temple project. This ensures the mission is not only permitted but also fully resourced.

In conclusion, this passage is the pivotal starting point for Israel’s restoration. It powerfully demonstrates God’s sovereignty, showing His ability to use the most powerful ruler on earth as an instrument to fulfill His promises to His people. Cyrus’s decree doesn’t just end the 70-year exile prophesied by Jeremiah; it provides the official authority, blessing, and financial backing necessary to begin rebuilding the nation’s spiritual heart: the Temple in Jerusalem. It is a profound testament to God’s faithfulness and His control over history.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 9, Day 2: Ezra 1:1

October 20, 2025October 11, 2025 by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Daniel Ezra 1:1

“In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing”

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 9, Day 2: Ezra 1:1

3) In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing

2 Chronicles 36:15-20: God is in control of history, as we see here as God uses the Babylonians to exile his people who were disobedient.

2 Chronicles 36:21; Jeremiah 25:12; 29:10: God will exile his people for 70 years in Bablyon, but then bring them back to Israel.

2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Isaiah 44:28; 45:1, 13: Cyrus proclaims that God’s people can return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. God uses Cyrus to do this.

5a) God uses others to accomplish His will in His timing. God’s purposes are faithful and restorative, and His power is sovereign over even the greatest earthly rulers.

b) God always keeps His promises.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 9, Day 2: Ezra 1:1

This reminds me that God can use anyone for His purposes, even me!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 9, Day 2: Ezra 1:1

God prompts Cyrus to allow His people to return home and rebuild the temple. Interestingly, we don’t meet Ezra till chapter 7. Here, we’ll see the people themselves returning to the homeland.

Prophecies were powerful back in biblical times, so the king may have heard of Daniel’s prophecies, which helped to prompt him.

This is told in 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 too.

Ezra’s main purpose was to rebuild God’s temple (458 BC). Nehemiah’s main purpose was to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall (444 BC)

Cyrus’ decree was in 538 BC.

God chooses when to reveal the future to His people. Nothing can stop God’s plans or purposes.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Ezra 1:1 demonstrates God’s direct influence over world affairs to fulfill His promises.

The verse states that in the first year of his reign, King Cyrus of Persia was divinely prompted (“the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus”) to issue a proclamation. This act was not random; it was the specific fulfillment of a prophecy made by Jeremiah that the Jewish exile in Babylon would end after 70 years.

Essentially, the verse establishes that a major historical event—the decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple—was orchestrated by God working through a powerful, non-Jewish ruler. It sets the theme for the entire book: God’s faithfulness in restoring His people.

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