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

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
4)
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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BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 9, Day 2: Revelation 4:1-3

Summary of Revelation 4:1-3

John enters God’s throne room. God had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow encircled the throne.

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 9, Day 2: Revelation 4:1-3

3) John was invited to, “Come up here.”

4a) John entered through a door standing open in heaven. God saw God sitting on a throne. God had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow encircled the throne.

b) God because God would be the only one sitting on a throne in heaven (God and Jesus).

c) Jasper, ruby, emerald, rainbow

5) Amazement. Awe. Wonder.

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 9, Day 2: Revelation 4:1-3

I want to be invited into God’s throne room! What a sight!

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 9, Day 2: Revelation 4:1-3

“After this” marks another section in the book of Revelation. Now, we’ll be in heaven looking down on earth.

Fun Fact: “After this” is used 5 times in the Book of Revelation.

Many Bible scholars put Revelation 4-19 together as a section that focuses on God’s judgment on the world from heaven. Here, we’ll see the 7 scrolls, 7 trumpets, 7 signs, and 7 bowls.

Jesus is the voice, inviting John in.

Note, “church” never appears in this section in Revelation. Jesus addresses the churches in the first three chapters; now he focuses on individuals.

John was “in the Spirit” in Revelation 1:10. He’s in the Spirit here, too.

Jasper is white and ruby is red. John is describing the colors of light emanating from the throne.

The rainbow was God’s promise to Noah to never flood the world again. (Genesis 9:11-17)

This shows that although God can do whatever He wants, He won’t break his promises.

Fun Fact: God’s throne appears 16 times in Revelation 4 & 5.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 9, Day 2: John 6:22-27

SUMMARY OF JOHN 6:22-27

After Jesus walked on water, the crowd realized Jesus had left. They got into boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. They found Jesus and Jesus chastised them for following him because he fed them food. He tells them that they need to eat of the food that bring eternal life, which he can give them.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 9, Day 2: John 6:22-27

3a) The people followed Jesus because they desired free food and wanted him to be king. However, their true need was spiritual — to eat the bread of eternal life.

b) The physical need often takes priority over spiritual needs. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily quest for “things.” When, what really matters, is the daily quest for eternal life. I just need to prioritize the spiritual over the physical.

4) They should work for food that endures to eternal life. They should not work for food that spoils. Food that spoils is what you eat every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Food that lasts is what you do for Jesus every day, like help those in need or do His will for your life.

5) God gives believers eternal life, God’s glory, and the Holy Spirit, which is God’s seal. The Holy Spirit guarantees our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession. When we accepted Jesus as the Son of God and as our salvation, we were sealed. We are God’s and Christ’s always.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 9, Day 2: John 6:22-27

Great passage on being Jesus’. So awesome! I love the emphasis on working for eternity, not the day-to-day. We just need to try and keep this in the forefront of our minds.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 9, Day 2: John 6:22-27

map of Tiberias and CapernaumFun Fact: Only John records this discourse. Wouldn’t it have been cool to know all of Jesus’ teachings?

John tells us later on that this took place at the synagogue in Capernaum at a Sabbath service (John 6:59). In Matthew 15, Matthew reveals that the Jewish leaders from Jerusalem came to Capernaum to question Jesus.

It’s important to understand why you are asking God for something than the answer itself. The people wanted bread and a king to save them from the Romans. It was purely selfish reasons here.

The people wanted materials things (food) and not spiritual.

The term “Son of Man” Jesus uses here would not have offended those who hated him like Messiah would have.

Very truly is a double amen in Hebrews. Jesus uses it 4 times in his bread of life speech and a whopping 25 times elsewhere in the Bible.

Once you have Christ, you live differently. We seek God more than other pursuits. He deserves all of our efforts.

God guaranteed Jesus and put His seal of approval on Jesus, so the people should believe in him (Jesus).

The seal gives us a longing for a higher purpose and meaning in life. Jesus is our everything.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 9, Day 2: 2 Kings 4:1-7

SUMMARY OF 2 KINGS 4:1-7

The widow spoke to Elisha, saying her husband, a believer, is dead and now her boys are about to be enslaved to pay his debts. Elisha asked her what she had in her house. She said oil. He told her to gather empty jars from her neighbors and then to pour oil into all of them. The oil did not stop flowing until all the jars were filled. Elisha told her to sell the oil to pay her debts and live off the rest.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 9, Day 2: 2 Kings 4:1-7

3a) The widow’s boys are about to be enslaved to pay the debts of her dead husband. Then, there would be no one to care for her, too.

b) Why did her husband, a believer, have to die? Why did her sons have to pay the price of her husband’s debt? How were they all to live now? What would happen to them? Why must she and her sons suffer?

c) Through Elisha, He told the widow what to do and gave her a way to pay her debts and still have money to live. God provided everything she could need.

4a) God always cares for His people. He cares for those who ask Him for things and who are willing to obey Him and take action on their own behalf. God always has a way if only we’ll listen.

b) Many times. Financially many times. Friendships. Granting me the longings of my heart.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 9, Day 2: 2 Kings 4:1-7

I don’t remember this story, and it’s such a cool one! Great stuff about God’s provision for His people!

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 9, Day 2: 2 Kings 4:1-7

There was no bankruptcy in ancient times. The debt had to be paid, and that usually meant with slave labor, even children.

She poured her one jar of oil out in faith, and the other jars were filled with oil. Note the woman had to take action and follow God’s directions in faith — as well all should.

Note the number of jars determined the blessing. The oil would not stop flowing till all the jars she had gathered were filled.

The world is full of suffering, and God allows it often to grow our faith in Him. Suffering tests our faith.

Elisha asked the simple question of “How can I help?” This is a question we all should ask others around us who are suffering.

God provided faithfully and abundantly in the widow’s life. He wants to do the same in ours.

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BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 9, Day 2: Genesis 11:1-4

Summary of passage:  A bit after the world had been repopulated some people moved eastward and settled on the plain of Shinar (Babylonia).  They used bricks and tar to build a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens so that they could make a name for themselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.

Questions:

3)  Here’s the best Bible Map I could find on the Internet.  My Bible Atlas has a much better one:

http://bibleatlas.org/regional/shinar.htm

It’s  basically where Babylonia was, which is between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

4a)  Verse 4:  “so that we may make a name for ourselves”

Verse 4:  “and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

Verse 3:  “let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly…they used brick instead of stone and tar for mortar.”

Using these materials would make the tower waterproof, showing the people were afraid of another flood (didn’t believe God’s promise).  So reason:  to protect them against a flood.

b)  God told Noah’s sons to fill the earth.  They did not.  They came together and built a city instead (where a big group of people live).  Furthermore, they admitted they didn’t want to be scattered over the face of the earth (verse 4).  They wanted to live together.

c)  Exodus is the Ten Commandments.  Matthew is where Jesus tells the people the greatest commandment:  to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind and the second which is to love your neighbor as yourself.  Timothy describes people in the Last Days (which in my opinion is people always).

Simple:  they do the opposite of what God says.  They follow self.  They ignore God’s words and commands.  Deliberately and intentionally.

Conclusions:  Question 3 is assuming everyone has a Bible map or access to one or the Internet (not everyone does).  So didn’t like this one.  Makes you feel like you should have a Bible map.  Some Bibles have maps in the back but not all.

In essence, Shinar is an early name for Babylonia, the land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.  Hopefully, most of us know where this is from Lesson 3, Day 3 when we discussed the possible location of Eden.

I can see the chronological reason for studying these chapters switched but I like the way the Bible links the ends.  Chapter 11 tells of Terah who is Abram’s father which leads nicely into chapter 12 when God calls Abram.  Chapter 9 ends with Noah cursing/blessing his kids and Chapter 10 launches into Shem’s, Ham’s, and Japheth’s descendants.

So while I understand the reasoning for switching the order of study, I don’t feel it was necessary for a better understanding.

End Note:  Interestingly, Babylonia is where the descendants of Shem (the son blessed by Noah) settled (which we learn in Chapter 10–the chapter we skipped).  This ties in well with Question 4c.  Even though these were the blessed ones by Noah and will be the chosen ones that lead to Jesus, they too sinned.  Man never changes, does he?