Tag: bsf answers questions lesson 11 day 4

photo of Ezra 7-8 and his return to Jerusalem from bsf exile and return study www.atozmomm.com

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 11, Day 4: Ezra 8:1-20

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

Summary of Ezra 8:1-20

Ezra lists the heads of the families who came with him to Jerusalem. Ezra realized that no Levites (the priests) were coming, so he recruited some.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 11, Day 4: Ezra 8:1-20

9) Ezra recorded the lineages to establish the community’s legal and spiritual legitimacy. This proved they were the true covenant heirs of Israel and, crucially, validated which priests and Levites were qualified by ancestry to lead the newly restored Temple worship according to the Law of Moses.
10a) Ezra realized that no Levites were with him. The Levites were the priests, so he needed them to lead the people in faith.
b) Ezra summoned leaders and men of learning to bring some Levites with them. God helped, and some came! They also brought temple servants!
11a) He recruited others to help and enlisted God’s help. He refused to go to Jerusalem without them, knowing that worship of God was a high priority.
b) Right now, my passions and my dreams. He’s calling me to trust Him in this.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 11, Day 4: Ezra 8:1-20

I love Ezra’s approach to his problem. He relies on others and God for help!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 11, Day 4: Ezra 8:1-20

We can guess that the total number of people coming with Ezra was between 6-7,000 based on his list of names.

Note that Ezra carefully planned his persuasion tactics!

Map of Ezra’s journey back to Jerusalem and the probable location of the Ahava Canal:

map of Ezra's journey to Jerusalem and the Ahava Canal
Courtesy of generationword.com

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Ezra 8:1-20 records the roll call of the returning exiles and Ezra’s first leadership crisis, which reveals his uncompromising priority: restoring legitimate worship.

Interpretation

  • The Register (vv. 1-14): This section is the official list of the heads of families who returned with Ezra. It’s more than a headcount; it’s a legal document establishing the genealogical purity and credentials of the group, beginning with the most prominent lines of priests and the royal house of David. This list validates their identity as the true, restored people of Israel.
  • The Crisis and Resolution (vv. 15-20): After gathering the caravan by the river Ahava, Ezra inspects the people and has a stunning realization: there are no Levites present. His mission was to restore the Law and worship, and the Levites were essential personnel for Temple ministry and teaching. Instead of proceeding, Ezra immediately halts the entire journey and sends a delegation of leaders on a specific mission to recruit ministers for God’s house. “By the good hand of our God upon them,” the mission succeeds, bringing back skilled Levites and Temple servants.

Conclusion

This passage demonstrates Ezra’s meticulous, non-negotiable commitment to spiritual purity and proper worship. The list of names established the identity of the community, while Ezra’s refusal to move without the Levites proved his dedication to restoring the function of the community according to God’s Law. It showed he would not compromise on divine requirements for the sake of convenience or speed.

Best Winter Items

https://amzn.to/3KS7jdk

https://amzn.to/46ViKtj

https://amzn.to/48AQu0e

https://amzn.to/4hiUS6o

https://amzn.to/48vaXDG

https://amzn.to/48At8rM

https://amzn.to/47zUADV

*As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

Contact me today!

the day of the Lord www.atozmomm.com bsf revelation

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 11, Day 4: Joel 2:28-3:21

by atozmom, posted in BSF Revelation: The Hope 2024/2025

Summary of Joel 2:28-3:21

God will pour out His Spirit with repentance. God will show wonders, and everyone who calls on the Lord will be saved.

On the day of the Lord, the nations will be judged. The fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem shall be restored. Israel’s enemies will have returned upon them what they have done to God’s people. God will sell their sons and daughters to the people of Judah who will sell them to a far off land.

The people must prepare for war, for the day of the Lord is near. The Lord will be a refuge for His people, a stronghold. They will know He is God, and Jerusalem shall be holy.

Judah’s enemies shall be desolate, while Israel blooms with blessings.

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 11, Day 4: Joel 2:28-3:21

10a) Peter repeats Joel verbatim, saying God will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

b) I think because we humans can see these changes, which can cause us to more readily believe and understand that Jesus is coming. Matthew 24:30 says that these are the signs of Man and that all the people of the earth will mourn when they see him coming down. It’s a warning and a sign.

11a) The Holy Spirit created the Earth. The Spirit marks us as God’s when we accept Jesus as our Savior. He guides and protects us, too. The Bible was written by prophets who were inspired by the Holy Spirit. In essence, the Holy Spirit/God has worked throughout all of history and continues to do so to this day.

b) There is just a peace that I experience that’s hard to define when I am troubled. I know God’s got it, and I believe that’s the power of the Holy Spirit at play.

12a) Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. It means my future is sealed. I am to forever dwell with the Lord after this earthly life, and it will be amazing!

b) Joel promises that no matter how much we sin, we are forgiven if we just rely on the Lord. God will reward us. This offers extreme comfort in hard times.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 11, Day 4: Joel 2:28-3:21

It’s a great reminder that the Holy Spirit is always with you, acting through you, for God’s will.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 11, Day 4: Joel 2:28-3:21

The people will ultimately be restored and blessed. God’s Spirit will be poured out on all after Jesus. Peter points to how Joel’s prophecy here was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost after Jesus’ death.

The Holy Spirit is poured out on all who believe and receive.

The Holy Spirit is the author of Scripture.

Joel 3 discusses the Last Days. Technically, we are in the Last Days, which were ushered in with Jesus’ death.

Bringing back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem refers to the return of the Jews from Babylonian exile.

God will gather the nations for the final battle (Revelation 16:12-16).

God does not like it when others mistreat His people. He will retaliate against those that do. There will be a war with no hope of the other side prevailing.

It will be tragic, but God will be a shelter for His people. There will be abundance. God’s people will be forgiven.

Joel begins with a plague of locusts and ends with a promise of restoration. How great is our God!

Contact me today!

Best Holiday Electronics & More!

https://amzn.to/3YC12Xz

https://amzn.to/48puvap

https://amzn.to/48lYvUC

https://amzn.to/4fhMh1r

https://amzn.to/4fmlZLt

https://amzn.to/3C3Ard9

*As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

 

tree in mountains www.atozmomm.com bsf john

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 11, Day 4: John 7:25-36

by atozmom, posted in BSF John's Gospel: The Truth 2023/2024

SUMMARY OF JOHN 7:25-36

The people began questioning Jesus, saying that when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he will come from, and they know where Jesus came from. Jesus answers that he is from God and was sent from God.

They tried to seize Jesus, but his time had not yet come.

Jesus said he is only here for a short time and then he’ll be gone and no one can find him nor can they come. The people were confused and had no idea what Jesus was talking about.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 11, Day 4: John 7:25-36

8a) Jesus claimed he was from God and God sent him. They could not arrest him because his time had not yet come.

b) God protects Jesus here as he fulfills his purpose. God protects us, too when our time has not yet come.

9a) Jesus knew he was going to heaven and no one could follow him yet. He also meant no one (the guards) would find him because his time had not yet come.

b) With confusion. They had no idea what Jesus was talking about. They thought Jesus was talking about a place on earth, not in heaven.

10) Sometimes, Jesus’ words are confusing or passages in the Bible. Prayer, others, online resources, the Holy Spirit, and more Bible study helps.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 11, Day 4: John 7:25-36

I love how simple Jesus’ words are here. His authority is from God.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 11, Day 4: John 7:25-36

Many believed the Messiah would appear out of thin air. God’s messenger appearing in the temple suddenly Malachi 3:1 helped fuel this belief.

Jesus plainly states he is from God and was sent by him. Yet, no one is arresting him. The whole scene is confusing to the people.

Many people believed in Jesus as he spoke.

No one would arrest him because his time had not yet come.

Truth rarely comes from the noise of crowds.

Contact me today!

Christmas Gifts

*As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

minor prophets people of the promise kingdom divided lesson 11 www.atozmomm.com

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 11, Day 4: 2 Chronicles 7:14

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 11, Day 4: 2 Chronicles 7:14

8a) 17 Old Testament books. 18 if you count the Book of Revelation

b) Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Elisha

9a) The details of the encounter: “I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.” I love Isaiah’s answer: Here am I! That should be all of our responses to God’s call on our lives.

b) “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. “I have put my words in your mouth.” The details here of what God said. I think we all want God to call us in this fashion!

10) The truth of their prophecies lend them credibility for current people and future generations so that they can be believed. Speaking into current situations grabs people’s attention and is a chance to bring more people to God. Both reinforce the truths of God, His word, and His chosen prophets.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 11, Day 4: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Another great lesson on following God’s words and calling for your life.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 11, Day 4: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Humble yourself, pray and repent, seeking God’s face. Turn your heart and your life over to God. God will hear and forgive you if you do.

Major Prophets

  1. Isaiah
  2. Jeremiah
  3. Lamentations
  4. Ezekiel
  5. Daniel

Minor Prophets:

  1. Hosea
  2. Joel
  3. Amos
  4. Obadiah
  5. Jonah
  6. Micah
  7. Nahum
  8. Habakkuk
  9. Zephaniah
  10. Haggai
  11. Zechariah
  12. Malachi

Contact me today!

Great Black Friday Deals (And Fun Winter Reads, Too!)

*As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.