Tag: bsf lesson 9 day 4

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

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 Revelation: The Hope Lesson 9, Day 4: Revelation 4:6b-8

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

Summary of Revelation 4:6b-8

There was a sea of glass in front of the throne. Four living creatures were surrounding the throne. They were covered in eyes. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 9, Day 4: Revelation 4:6b-8

9) Four living creatures were surrounding the throne. They were covered in eyes. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”

10) Holy, Holy, Holy: this means that God is holy, pure, perfect.

Lord God Almighty: God is Lord over all things.

Who was, and is, and is to come: God has always existed and will always exist. He is the Alpha and the Omega. He is eternal.

11a) Praising God means to worship Him. It expresses your gratitude for Him. You acknowledge his greatness and worth. You can praise God in worship, singing, dancing, prayer, studying His Word, and more.

b) I still have a job. I still have a home. I have my health and my family. I lead a good life. Everything is from Him. Be grateful for everything, and do everything in God’s name.

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 9, Day 4: Revelation 4:6b-8

What a beautiful picture of heaven! Just signing constantly to God!

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 9, Day 4: Revelation 4:6b-8

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courtesy of https://theleapoffaith.org/

From Ezekiel 1:4-14 and 10:20-22, the creatures are cherubim. Satan used to be one of these till he was thrown out of heaven for his sins. You’ll find cherubim in the tabernacle (Exodus 25:17-22 and 26:1-31).

The eyes mean they see things and have a high intelligence and understanding.

Each has a different face. Of course, there is much debate about what these four faces represent, from each book of the 4 Gospels to virtues, angels, apostles, and more.

They do represent all of creation: animals (wild and domestic), birds, and mankind.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 9, Day 4: John 6:30-33

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

SUMMARY OF JOHN 6:30-33

The people asked about what sign Jesus will give them so that they can believe and used the example of manna during Moses’ time. Jesus said that God gives the true bread from heaven aka Jesus.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 9, Day 4: John 6:30-33

8a) A physical sign, like the manna God provided during Moses’ time.

b) Good question. I think when we refuse to believe and follow God’s path for us because it’s not our path for us.

9a) They just saw Jesus feed the 5,000 with food. They seem to still be wanting food from Jesus. Perhaps they are hungry.

b) Jesus told them all they need to survive is him. They need spiritual bread, not physical bread.

10) Love this! Every time I do God’s will for my life and draw closer to God. When I die to self for God.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 9, Day 4: John 6:30-33

Again, another simple answer for the people to understand: Jesus is the true bread from heaven. That is all you need in this world.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 9, Day 4: John 6:30-33

This is the third question asked by the people of Jesus that is recorded in this scene.

They are still asking for physical bread here and using the fact God fed them before. Once again, Jesus tells them that is not what they need — they need him, the bread of life.

Jesus tries to turn them to spiritual thinking, rather than physical.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 9, Day 4: 2 Kings 4:38-44

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

SUMMARY OF 2 KINGS 2:4:38-44

Elisha instructs his servant to feed the company of prophets. The servant collects a wild vine’s gourds and cooked it in the stew. The men could not eat it because it tasted of death. Elisha put some flour in the stew to neutralize the bad ingredients.

Elisha feeds 100 men with 20 loaves of barley bread and some heads of new grain. The Lord had said the men would eat and have some left over.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 9, Day 4: 2 Kings 4:38-44

8 ) The needs are the basic need to eat.

9a) God is showing how he cares to meet our basic needs.

b) None.

10) It’s encouraging because sometimes it is the little things or the basic things that can be the most meaningful to others.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 9, Day 4: 2 Kings 4:38-44

More great miracles I had forgotten. Immediately upon reading Elisha feeding the 100, you think of Jesus feeding the 5,000. How great the Lord is to show his people precursors to Jesus.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 9, Day 4: 2 Kings 4:38-44

The famine mentioned in verse 38 may be the seven-year famine alluded to in 2 Kings 8:1-3

Elisha feels he has to fix the food since it was his servant that mistakenly prepared a bad food to eat. Some Bible scholars think it was a gourd known as colocynth that grows near the Dead Sea. It can be fatal, and it tastes extremely bitter. God purified the pot; not the flour.

Normally, firstfruits were reserved for God (Leviticus 23:20) and the Levitical priests (Numbers 18:13; Deuteronomy 18:4-5). Because the religion in the Northern Kingdom was apostate, the loaves of bread were brought to the most religious person.

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 9, Day 4: Matthew 8:23-27

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 8:23-27

Jesus gets in a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee when a storm arises. Jesus is sleeping, so his disciples go to wake him. The waves are crashing. The disciples think they will drown. Jesus tells them they have little faith. Jesus calmed the sea, amazing his disciples.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 9, Day 4: Matthew 8:23-27

10) He calms the storm so his disciples won’t be afraid. As noted by the disciples, the fact that he can command the waves and the wind shows his deity. We also see Jesus needs sleep, too, just like humans.

11a) That they had no faith in him because they were afraid.

b) That he cared for them enough to allay their fears.

12a) Unsure about storm. I’m trying to find a new day job. I’m also looking to maybe move again in the future.

b) I need to have faith in Jesus to calm the storms and sort them all out, sheltering me the entire way.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 9, Day 4: Matthew 8:23-27

This is one of the best stories about Jesus. Jesus calms the storm for his disciples’ sake, and he shows his power. Plus, I love the whole idea of Jesus calming my storms. Fabulous!

Cool little video that mimics what it would have looked like: https://youtu.be/yyzwCpofQSA

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 9, Day 4: Matthew 8:23-27

The Sea of Galilee frequently has heavy storms. Capernaum lies on its coast.

Jesus slept through the storm. This shows what rest we can have when we have complete faith in the Father to provide us with what we need and to protect us from the world’s evils.

When you have complete trust in the Father, there is no room for fear. This is why Jesus rebukes his disciples, not for having woken him. If you have the Savior of the World in your boat, you should feel secure. Plus, they had just seen Jesus heal people miraculously. Where was their faith?

Rebuke is stronger than calm. Rebuke means, “to express sharp disapproval or criticism of someone or someone’s behaviors.” Thus, some Bible scholars think Satan may have sent the storm to drown Jesus and his disciples.

Here, the disciples see Jesus as fully man and fully God for the first time. This is why they marveled. Powerful stuff!

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

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passages:  Genesis 11:1-9:  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.

The Lord saw what the men were doing.  He confused their language as punishment to prevent more un-Godly actions.  God scattered them over the earth.  Babel sounds like the Hebrew word for confused; hence the name “Tower of Babel.”

Acts 2:

On the day of Pentecost the 120 were all in one place (presumably praying still and waiting for the gift).  A sound like a blowing violent wind came from heaven and filled the house where they were sitting.  They saw tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues through the power of the Holy Spirit.

A lot of people in Jerusalem heard this sound and came together to see what was happening.  They were bewildered because each was speaking in his own language.  They asked, “Aren’t these all Galileans?  How is it we hear them in our own language?  What does this mean?”

Some made fun of them and said they were drunk.

Peter stood up the with the Eleven Apostles and told the confused crowd: we (the 120 and them) are not drunk.  Listen to Joel’s words:  God will pour out His Spirit on all people.  Your sons and daughters will prophesy, the young men will see visions, old men will dream, the servants will prophesy and have the Spirit as well.  Wonders will appear in the heaven and signs will appear on earth such as blood, fire, and smoke.  The sun will be dark and the moon to blood before the day of the Lord when everyone who calls on the Lord will be saved.

Peter is still speaking to the crowd that has gathered on the day of Pentecost.  “Jesus who performed miracles was handed over to you for God’s pre-ordained purpose.  You killed him by nailing him to a cross.  But God has raised him from the dead.  David himself prophesied Jesus’ resurrection when he said he saw the ‘Holy One’ at the Lord’s right hand and raised him from the dead.”

It’s as if Peter is shouting, “Even though you idiots killed Jesus He is alive!”

Peter says that Jesus now sits at the right hand of God and pours out what we now see and hear.  He has received the promised Holy Spirit.  David did not ascend to heaven (for a detailed explanation of this see my previous post here.  David is in heaven now but not at the time of his death).  God has made Jesus Lord and Christ.

The people asked what should they do and Peter told them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus to be forgiven of your sins and receive the Holy Spirit.  Everyone of you can receive such a gift.  3000 chose to be baptized that day.

These people were considered the first church.  They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of the bread, and prayer.  They gave to everyone as needed.  They continued to meet and eat together and praise God.  The Lord grew their numbers daily.

Questions:

7a)  He confused their language.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Just like in Biblical times, God is in control of everything.  He’ll put a leader in power He wants to accomplish His goals.  He gives, He takes, He rescues, He allows Free Will.  Nothing happens without God.

8 )  That person doesn’t approach others in a loving manner.  Anger may rule over conciliation.  Right won’t win out over wrong like in government.

9a)  Speaking different languages can divide or bring together people.  Speaking in a different language but with the heart for God can convert others.  In Shinar, it divided.  In Acts, it converted and brought together.

As long as the heart is in the right place, the words you speak should not matter–especially if God and the Holy Spirit are behind them.  Others will understand.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  The heart is what matters, not the words.  If you love others, your actions should speak louder.

Conclusions:  As someone who’s lived in many foreign countries that speak different languages, I know the difficulty it can be to communicate and get what you need to survive.  Yet most often when I encountered a native who realized I couldn’t express myself, I was met with nothing but helpful intentions.

I often hear the phrase “language is a barrier”.  But it’s not.  Because love is stronger.

Throughout history with all the conquerings and movement of people, you will notice an overarching theme:  integration and assimilation.  The native language mixed with the new language.  It changed.  Just look at English.  Over half of our words are Latin origin. Another 1/3 have Greek roots.  The rest is Old English, which is a mix of Anglo-Saxon, Norman French, and the mixture of Celtic, Welsh, and Scottish languages.

Even today, look at the number of foreign words we have adopted from French to Spanish to Italian to Russian.  You’ll find it in Webster’s Dictionary.

Man adapts.

Language can be a divider.  When God wants it to be like in the Tower of Babel.  Or when man chooses to let it be.

But with the right heart and Spirit, it’s a uniter.  Love conquers all.  As does God’s will.