Tag: bsf lesson 10 day 4

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

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.
b)
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 Revelation: The Hope Lesson 10, Day 4: Revelation 5:8-10

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

Summary of Revelation 5:8-10

The elders and the four living creatures worshipped the Lamb when he took the scroll. They praised Jesus for purchasing for God believers who will reign on earth forever.

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 10, Day 4: Revelation 5:8-10

7a) They fell down before the Lamb and worshipped him with a new song.

b) The Lamb was worthy because he was slain and purchased for God persons from all over the world and made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve God and reign on earth.

c) That the Lamb/Jesus sacrificed himself so we could be purchased for God. This means everything to me as now I can spend eternity with God, worshipping him, too.

8 ) I know that Jesus has purchased me because I’ve prayed for Jesus to come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. God has chosen me to be with Him forever. The Holy Spirit lives inside of me. He has purchased us from a life of hell and eternal damnation.

9a) Humans/believers in Christ. Praising the Lord and serving Him all the rest of my days. Telling others of Christ, our Lord and Savior. Living a Godly life so that others may see and believe.

b) This is a tough one. I would be more Godly and do more things Jesus would do. I think what I deem important would not be as much.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 10, Day 4: Revelation 5:8-10

I love this image of Jesus and those worshipping him and how we one day will as well!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 10, Day 4: Revelation 5:8-10

Fun Fact: This passage is where harps in heaven come from!

No doubt there will be music in heaven!

This “new song” is the first of 3 hymns we’ll see from the elders and the living creatures.

Golden bowls full of prayers. What an image!

Incense usually smells good, it flows upwards towards heaven, and it requires fire! Amazing! Incense in the Bible is seen as carrying the people’s prayer up to God.

Vere dignus is Latin for “you are worthy.” The Roman emperors used this as a greeting. However, there’s only one who is worthy!

Our kingdom is heaven as we reign as kings with Jesus. Jesus is our mediator, allowing us to be priests.

Fun Fact: “New song” appears 9 times in the Bible.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 10, Day 4: John 6:60-66

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

SUMMARY OF JOHN 6:60-66

Jesus offended many with his teaching that he is the flesh and blood that leads to life. He tells the people he is giving them Spirit and Life, yet they reject him. God enables people to believe in him.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 10, Day 4: John 6:60-66

9a) Accepting Jesus’ sacrifice gives you life. The physical body is not enough to give you life. You must accept Jesus’ teaching and his sacrifice (flesh and spirit) to receive eternal life. The spiritual gives life, not the physical.

b) Without being all it, it’s meaningless and oftentimes, insufficient. You must do things whole-heartedly for Jesus. Going through the motions is not enough.

10a) They just could not accept his teaching of the flesh and blood. They could not accept him as God’s Son.

b) No, not really. If it did, I would pray for a deeper understanding and seek resources that explained it to me.

11a) They reject him. Disdain. “Just another prophet.” They dismiss him.

b) With loving faith and wholehearted devotion.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 10, Day 4: John 6:60-66

There are always doubters and naysayers. Our job is to seek the Truth in God’s Word and in prayer and to ignore those who try to make you fall.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 10, Day 4: John 6:60-66

Many found Jesus’ teaching hard to understand and accept that he would die for them. Jesus understood their confusion, but did not break. Many probably were looking for a messianic king, not a sacrificial lamb.

Better to accept now that to face Jesus on judgment day in all his glory as an unbeliever and receive condemnation.

Many came for bread and not for the spirit, and Jesus knew that. They had not then truly come to him.

Many left because they only wanted material gains from Jesus. Perhaps, many were confused by the religious leaders  (John 6:52).

It was the first apostasy Jesus faced. Yet, many would come back. We all have highs and lows in our beliefs. Yet, you must stay faithful even when things are rough.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 10, Day 4: 2 Kings 11; 2 Chronicles 22:10-23:21

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

SUMMARY OF 2 KINGS 11

When King Ahaziah died, his mother Athaliah killed all the princes except Joash who was saved by Jehosheba, a princess and sister to Ahaziah. He remained hidden for six years. In the seventh year, Jehoiada the priest commanded guards to kill anyone who tries to kill the king. Jehoiada anointed Joash king. Athaliah protested and was put to death.

Jehoiada then made a covenant between the Lord and the king and people that they would be the Lord’s people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people. All the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols to pieces and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.

Joash took his place as king and everyone was calm now that Athaliah was gone. Joash was 7 years old when he began to reign.

SUMMARY OF 2 CHRONICLES 22:10-23:21

Jehoiada said to the people, “The king’s son shall reign, as the Lord promised concerning the descendants of David. Then Jehoiada placed the oversight of the temple of the Lord in the hands of the Levitical priests, to whom David had made assignments in the temple, to present the burnt offerings of the Lord as written in the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and singing, as David had ordered.  He also stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the Lord’s temple so that no one who was in any way unclean might enter.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 10, Day 4: 2 Kings 11; 2 Chronicles 22:10-23:21

9) Athaliah was the mother of King Ahaziah of Judah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family.

10a) Joash was saved by Jehosheba, a princess and sister to Ahaziah. He remained hidden for six years.

b) I find it interesting how the people were calm after the death of Athaliah the kingdom was calm. It’s almost a sigh of relief when a bad person in power dies.

11) I still have my job. I have found (hopefully) someone who will help  me reach my goals. That was God because I just wanted to quit and not deal with it.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 10, Day 4: 2 Kings 11; 2 Chronicles 22:10-23:21

I love how God always wins by sparing Joash so David’s line could continue. It’s encouraging when you are not winning in your life’s trials.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 10, Day 4: 2 Kings 11; 2 Chronicles 22:10-23:21

Remember that Ahaziah was executed by Jehu (2 Kings 9:27-29.)

Athaliah was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, and was given to King Jehoram of Judah as a bride. She obviously was a bad influence on both her husband (Jehoram of Judah) and her son (King Ahaziah of Judah).

This was after Jehu killed all of Ahab’s line. Thus, Athaliah took it upon herself to enact revenge by killing all of David’s line.

Yet, God wins with Jehosheba saving Joash.

Jehoiada the priest chose the Sabbath for the day of the coup because that was the day when the guards changed their shifts. This allowed him to assemble two groups of guards at the temple at the same time without attracting attention. Jehoiada followed all the processes of declaring Joash king.

Athaliah had to know her game was over when she say Joash, her grandson. They killed her mercifully, and Joash took reign and began enacting reforms.

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 10, Day 4: Matthew 9:18-26

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 9:18-26

A ruler came to Jesus to ask him to raise his daughter from the dead. Jesus and his disciples went with the man. At this time, a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years came up to Jesus and touched his cloak, believing if she did this, she would be healed. Faith healed the woman.

At the ruler’s house, there were flute players and a noisy crowd. He told them to go away because the girl was only sleeping, not dead. The crowd laughed at Jesus, and they were kicked out. Jesus then went to the girl, took her hand, and she got up. This news spread.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 10, Day 4: Matthew 9:18-26

9) Both are characterized by faith. The woman believed she only had to touch Jesus’s cloak to be healed. The ruler believed Jesus had to touch the girl to be healed. In both cases, what they believed is what happened.

10) How Jesus heals by faith and in different methods and ways: with touch or just by touching his clothes.

11) When accompanied by faith, Jesus can and often does anything, including miracles.

12) I have a lot of needs lately it seems. I’m very unhappy with my job, so I’m looking for a new one. I’m don’t like where I live, so I would like to move sooner rather than later. My kids all have dreams they need help fulfilling, as does my husband. We are all waiting on God to move. This draws all of us closer to Him.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 10, Day 4: Matthew 9:18-26

I love how faith is the answer in all of Jesus’s healings. Someone has faith that Jesus is God and in his healing abilities. Jesus then responds. This is true for us today. Have faith; Jesus will respond.

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End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 10, Day 4: Matthew 9:18-26

The ruler worshipped Jesus, as is appropriate for God. Humans (Acts 10:25-26) or angels (Revelation 22:8-9),  are not to be worshipped.

Note how the centurion in Matthew 8 believed Jesus could heal from afar and this ruller requests Jesus to come and touch his daughter. Thus, the centurion had greater faith.

The Woman Who Had Been Bleeding

The woman with blood has great faith Mark 5:21-43 and Luke 8:43-48 . Jews considered the woman unclean, so, odds are, she didn’t even think she could ask Jesus to touch her to heal her. However, her faith was big enough that a garment would suffice.

The garment that Jesus wore was like others in the time (he did not dress like a King). She touched a corner of his garment that had a tassel on it. These tassles of blue reminded those who wore it they belonged to God.

Note everyone who Jesus healed had faith in him, not in his clothes, his touch, or his words.

Jesus cured her immediately. He made sure people noticed the woman, although she didn’t want to be seen. Jesus wanted to make sure she knew:

  • Her faith had healed her
  • She could now enter society again without questions
  • The woman would not have to hide her healing
  • She did not steal the blessing
  • The ruler saw this healing to strengthen his faith
  • Jesus calls her “daughter,” a title we see no where else in the Bible given by Jesus to another

The Daughter of the Ruler

The ruler paid the flute players and crowd to mourn, which was common in that day. The crowd did not deter Jesus. Obviously, they had no faith.

Jesus healed this girl out of mercy and compassion. The ruler had enough faith to warrant this, too. While Jesus did not raise everyone from the dead (he will some day) that he encountered, he healed/raised those out of God’s will and when faith was shown.

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BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 10, Day 4: Genesis 11:26-32; Acts 7:2-8

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passages:  Genesis 11:26-32:  The account of Terah from the line of Shem who was Abram’s (later Abraham’s) father.  Lot was Abram’s nephew.  Abram married Sarai (later Sarah) and she was barren (had no children).

Terah, Abram, Sarai, and Lot left Ur for Canaan but settled in Haran where Terah died.

Acts 7:2-8:  Stephen tells us the back story:  God appeared the Abram/Abraham while he was still in Ur in Mesopotamia before he left for Haran and told Abram to leave Ur and to go to Canaan.  So he went to Haran.  Then after Terah, his father, died God sent Abram to Canaan.

God gave him no inheritance in Canaan but He promised him his descendants would possess the land.  God told Abram his children would be strangers in the land and would be enslaved for 400 years.  But God would punish that nation and afterward they will come back to Canaan to worship Him.  Here, God instituted the covenant of circumcision as a sign of this covenant.

Then Abraham had Isaac whom he circumcised.  Isaac had Jacob who became the father of the twelve patriarchs.

Questions:

7a)  Ur, a city in Mesopotamia where the Chaldeans or Babylonians ruled at that time (approximately 2091 BC).

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  That God told Abram beforehand that they would suffer and be enslaved before they would have their inheritance of the land.  Also, the covenant of circumcision was a sign of this promise.

8a)  Personal Question.  My answer:  I learned that Lot was Abram’s nephew and was one of those chosen along with Abram to share in God’s inheritance of Canaan.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  This one is pulling teeth.  Not sure how the facts of Abram’s calling encourage my family.

Conclusions:  My favorite part of this lesson was writing the summary.  The rest I could have done without.

I gave up on 8b after 20 minutes.  Couldn’t think of one thing.

This one was definitely a filler lesson in my opinion.

Map of Abram’s Journey out of Ur to Canaan:  http://www.israel-a-history-of.com/old-testament-map.html#Peninsula.

Recommendation:  If you are interested in map work, I would purchase a good Bible Atlas.  The one I own is Zondervan’s Atlas of the Bible by Carl S. Rasmussen.  This has a much, MUCH better map of Abraham’s possible route than I could find on the Internet as well as detailed background information, dates, and what’s going on in the known world in the same time period.

I’m sure there are many more wonderful ones out there but the detail given in a book is invaluable to me as I need to picture Abram trekking through the desert in order to understand a world more than 4 millenia before mine.