Tag: bsf lesson 9 day 5

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

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 Revelation: The Hope Lesson 9, Day 5: Revelation 4:9-11

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

Summary of Revelation 4:9-11

The living creatures and the 24 elders worship God forever, saying He is worthy of their praise, glory, power, and honor as the Creator of all things.

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 9, Day 5: Revelation 4:9-11

12) The twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
    to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
    and by your will they were created
    and have their being.”

They do this because God is creator of all things.

13a) Worship of God

b) It shows me that all of life should be about praising God.

14) God, you are worthy of all praise as the Creator of the universe. Nothing happens without your knowledge. You are in charge of all things. Everything is yours. Thank you, Lord. Our thanks are not enough, but you cherish them. Let your light and your hope continue to shine down upon us. Let your will be done always and forever.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 9, Day 5: Revelation 4:9-11

I love the details here and how we’re taking the time to imbibe this within our souls!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 9, Day 5: Revelation 4:9-11

The 24 elders follow the example of the cherubim.

The casting of crowns is another way to show God He is worthy.

As Creator, God has all rights to our worship.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 9, Day 5: John 6:34-40

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

Summary of John 6:34-40

Jesus declares he is the bread of life. All those who come to him will never be driven away. They will never be hungry or thirsty. His job is to do God’s will. He will raise up all those who believe in him that were given to him by God.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 9, Day 5: John 6:34-40

11) Jesus declares he is the bread of life. All those who come to him will never be driven away. They will never be hungry or thirsty. His job is to do God’s will. He will raise up all those who believe in him that were given to him by God. I can share that with Jesus, they will never be hungry or thirsty.

12a) Once you are chosen by God and given to Jesus to believe in him, you will never be driven away. You will always be secure in Jesus and have eternal life.

b) He answers prayers and dreams. He has given me a secure job, as well as my husband, so we don’t go physically hungry. He has provided faith in him.

13a) That once we believe, it is for forever, no matter what sins we commit later on in our lives or how far we fall. This is comforting because we all stumble. Yet, we can confess our sins and have forgiveness and no guilt. We are forever in God’s arms.

b) By allowing me to find BSF and continue in Bible studies. By engaging in prayer. By having kids who are for Jesus. By having an innate desire to know him better.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 9, Day 5: John 6:34-40

One of my favorite all-time passages in the Bible. It’s so clear here. Believe in Jesus; you are saved.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 9, Day 5: John 6:34-40

This is question number 4.

Jesus tells them he is their bread, all they need.

Those who come to him will be spiritually satisfied always. Coming is a pretty simple act.

When Jesus says “come,” he means “believe.”

We are safe when we come to him. With him, we will have eternity.

Fun Fact: Jesus says “I am the bread of life” three times in chapter 6.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 9, Day 5: 2 Kings 5:1-6:7

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

SUMMARY OF 2 KINGS 5:1-6:7

Naaman was a well regarded commander of the army of the king of Aram. However, he had leprosy. A captive girl from Israel told Naaman’s wife about Elisha who could heal him. Naaman asked the king for permission to go and see Elisha, which the king granted and he gave him a letter, too. The king of Israel couldn’t help him, but Elisha could.

Elisha told Naaman to go wash himself 7 times in the Jordan River and he would be cured. But Naaman was mad. He thought Elisha would cure him in a big hoopla and display of God’s power. Naaman’s servants told him to follow Elisha’s orders, which he did. Naaman was cured. Naaman converts to worshipping God. He offers Elisha gifts, but he refuses.

Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, got greedy. He followed Naaman to ask for some money and he kept it for himself. Elisha cursed him with leprosy for this.

Elisha then retrieves an axhead from the Jordan River using God’s power.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 9, Day 5: 2 Kings 5:1-6:7

11) Naaman was a well regarded commander of the army of the king of Aram. However, he had leprosy.

12a) A captive girl from Israel told Naaman’s wife about Elisha who could heal him. Naaman asked the king for permission to go and see Elisha and he went.

b) He thought Elisha would cure him in a big hoopla and display of God’s power. Naaman’s servants told him to follow Elisha’s orders, which he did. Washing in the River was the same as being told to do great things, they reasoned.

c) I’m super bad at admitting when I’m wrong and apologizing.

13) He converted him and, odds are, his family, too.

14) God ultimately wants everyone to come to him. He reveals himself as a testimony to others to follow Him, too.

15) First, he was greedy. Second, he lied about it instead of confessing and asking for forgiveness.

16) Elisha knew that the man would have to pay for the axhead that he lost since it wasn’t his, so he took compassion on the man and retrieve it for him.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 9, Day 5: 2 Kings 5:1-6:7

My favorite part was the captive girl. I’m unsure if I would have done the same due to my anger at being a slave. Here, God uses a girl’s tragedy to convert her enemy. Powerful stuff!

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 9, Day 5: 2 Kings 5:1-6:7

Aram or Syria was a bitter enemy of Israel and Judah. (1 Kings 22:35-36).

Note that the title “man of valor” is used with Gideon (Judges 6:12), Jephthah (Judges 11:1), David (1 Samuel 16:18), Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:28), and Eliada (2 Chronicles 17:17). In fact, Naaman is the only Gentile in the Bible referred to with this title.

Leprosy in the ancient world was a death sentence. It also was a cause for ostracism, as people didn’t understand and didn’t want to catch it.

The servant girl cared and had faith. That is all God requires of us, too. God used her to accomplish a greater good.

Many Bible scholars believe this story is out of order since the letter sent by the king of Syria to the king of Israel would likely not have happened during intense hostilities.

Ten talents of gold would be equivalent to $1.2 million today.

Elisha rebukes the king of Israel for having no faith in God or him.

Note Elisha did not see Naaman, only sent him a message. He had the wrong expectations of God, like many of us do.

When Naaman’s servants pointed out that his reasoning was inconsistent about washing in the river and that he was only refusing because it was humbling, Naaman agreed. Only God could heal, especially since Elisha was not there. God gets all the credit here unequivocally.

Naaman was like the leper who came back to thank Jesus after he was healed (Luke 17:12-19).

The taking of the soil with him was common in the ancient world. He also asked to be pardoned when he pretended to worship the gods of Syria, as he would be expected to do as an official.

Gehazi hid the talents because he knew Elisha would not approve. The judgement is more severe for believers who know better. It was his selfish desire to gain from God’s blessings.

2 Kings 6

Elisha’s following had grown so much that he needed a new building.

Iron was precious and uncommon in ancient times. The way Elisha retrieved it left no doubt that God retrieved it.

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 9, Day 5: Matthew 8:28-34

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 8:28-34

Jesus encounters two demon-possessed men in the region of Gadarenes or Gergesenes. They would not let anyone pass. The demons recognized Jesus and asked him why he has come.

They then asked Jesus if he would drive them out into the herd of pigs. Jesus granted their request. The herd of pigs then rushed off a bank into a lake and drowned. This scene scared the shepherds. They ran off to tell everyone what they had seen. The whole town became scared. They told Jesus to leave their region.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 9, Day 5: Matthew 8:28-34

13a) They two demonized men recognized Jesus and asked him why he has come and if he would torture them before the appointed time. They then asked Jesus if he would drive them out into the herd of pigs, which Jesus did.

b) They recognized that Jesus was the Son of God. James 2:19 tells us that even demons know that there is only One God — and they are afraid. They know they are doomed.

14) He took pity on the men.

15) Jesus’s actions scared the townspeople. Perhaps they thought he’d do the same to them. Jesus left because he knew they would not listen to him (Matthew 10:14).

16) It’s truly awe-inspiring and hard to put into words. It gives me hope to trudge along each and every day as I continually seek His purpose for my life.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 9, Day 5: Matthew 8:28-34

I love how Matthew throws in so many varied stories. We go from Jesus healing many people to him rebuking a storm and helping those who are demon-possessed. Great stuff.

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End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 9, Day 5: Matthew 8:28-34

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By By Nichalp – Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=460339

The exact location of the region of Gergesenes (or Gadarenes) is unknown. Bible scholars believe it is located on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galiee and was a small town where the larger city of Gadara was lcoated. Here, many Gentiles lived.

Do note the other Gospels tell this story, but only mention one of the demon-possessed men.

Any contact with dead bodies made Jews unclean. So these men who were coming out of tombs (presumably they were living there) were terrifying to the Jewish people.

Seeing Jesus, the demons knew their time was up. They knew they would be cast out and would suffer in hell forever.

Pigs are unclean to the Jewish people. Why they were there, no one knows. But it is the perfect place to cast out demons at that time. The demons wanted to possess the pigs rather than be left without something to terrorize. Note they had to get permission from Jesus in order to take over the bodies of swines.

Note that this is the only example of casting out demons into the bodies of animals. This may be where stories have come from of humans possessing animal bodies.

The demons were bent on killing, which is why they killed the pigs immediately. This proved, too, that the demons were now inside the pigs and not the men. Jesus wanted to ensure everyone knew this miracle had occurred.

One could say that the people could easily have been pleased that Jesus had driven the demons out of the men. Truthfully, it could have gone either way here. However, fear ruled, so the townspeople asked Jesus to leave. Plus, the destruction of the pigs cast doubt into the minds of those who saw. Would Jesus destroy them, too? This is exactly what Satan wants you to think. This is a message to us to be wary always.

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BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 9, Day 5: Genesis 10

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  Genealogy of Shem, Ham, and Japheth (Noah’s sons).

The sons of Japheth were maritime peoples and spread out with their own language.

Cush was the son of Ham who was the father of Nimrod who grew to be a mighty warrior and hunter on earth.  The first centers of his kingdom were Babylon, Erech, Akkad, and Calneh in Shinar.  Then Cush went to Assyria to build Ninevah, Rehoboth, Ir, Calah, and Resen.

Later, the Canaanites scattered, pushing out the borders from Sidon to Gaza and Lasha.

Shem’s ancestors lived in the eastern hill country from Mesha to Sephar.

Questions:

10a)  Cush was Nimrod’s father and Nimrod’s grandfather was Ham.  He was a mighty warrior and hunter on earth.  He ruled a kingdom that included Babylon, Erech, Akkad and Calneh.  He then conquered Assyria and established more cities.

Fun fact:  Nimrod’s name means “let us rebel”.

b)  Bad.  “The mighty hunter before the Lord” is not a hunter of animals but of humans.  This is not a compliment.  This is also the first use of the word “kingdom” in the bible, which implies he consolidated the peoples and probably in a ruthless manner.  Ultimately, he relied on his own strength instead of God’s.

11) “because in his time the earth was divided”

12)  Uz and Jobab.  Job came from the region of Uz and Jobab may be the one we know as Job.

13)  Like most lists of names and genealogies in the Bible, it is used to chronicle the line of Jesus and collaborate God’s words to man (who always seems to need evidence).  Also, it explains how the world was re-populated after the flood and who and how founded the nations of the earth.

Conclusions:  Keep in mind the distribution of peoples:  Japheth was the father of the western Europeans, the Medes, and the Greeks.  Ham was the father of Africans (Egypt and Ethiopia) and the far East (including Babylon and Canaan).  Shem was the father of the Persians, the Assyrians, the Hebrews (Abram), and Asia Minor.

Best map I could find on the Internet of the table of nations:  http://www.bible-history.com/maps/2-table-of-nations.html

In general:

Japheth-Europe

Ham-Africa

Shem-Asia

Good map of Fertile Crescent, showing Nimrod’s kingdom:  http://bibleatlas.org/full/nimrod.htm