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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 4: Zechariah 1:4-5

December 17, 2025November 24, 2025 by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Zechariah 1:4-5

“Do not be like your ancestors, to whom the earlier prophets proclaimed: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Turn from your evil ways and your evil practices.’ But they would not listen or pay attention to me, declares the Lord. ⁵Where are your ancestors now? And the prophets, do they live forever?”

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17 Day 4: Zechariah 1:4-5

7a) Don’t be like your ancestors. Turn from your evil ways and practices.

b) To remember what it was like in exile. They remembered that their ancestors died in captivity, proving sin has deadly consequences. They realized that while the prophets were gone, their warnings had come true. This forced them to admit that humans are temporary, but God’s Word is eternal and inevitably overtakes those who ignore it.

8a) Because if you don’t learn from history, you’ll repeat the mistakes of the past. Reflecting on history exposes the undeniable link between actions and consequences. It prevents repeating past failures by showing that while generations pass, truth remains constant. We gain wisdom from our ancestors’ errors, allowing us to choose obedience today rather than suffering the same regrets.

b) I think people can get too caught up in the guilt of it all, when they need to let it go, learn from it, and move forward. Past failures can create a prison of fear, convincing people that history inevitably repeats itself. Shame paralyzes them, making them feel defined by old wounds rather than future potential. This mindset blocks hope, causing them to surrender to cynicism instead of trusting God for a new beginning.

A healthy response acknowledges past failures without being defined by them. It involves honest confession and learning from mistakes, then accepting God’s grace to break the cycle. We use history as a guide, not a shackle, trusting that repentance opens the door to a new, redeemed future.

c) I have seen His faithfulness in all that I do, how He helps and guides me, and this helps me to trust Him as I move forward in life.

We learn that we are fragile and prone to wandering, highlighting our deep need for grace. Conversely, the past reveals God as the faithful constant. We see that while we change, He remains patient and sovereign, proving that His mercy is greater than our mistakes and His plan outlasts our failures.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 4: Zechariah 1:4-5

Great lessons about learning from your past and using history to trust in God. So good!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 4: Zechariah 1:4-5

It’s important to learn from your ancestors the mistakes they made so that you do not repeat them.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

These verses act as a stern reality check regarding the consequences of ignoring God.

De-romanticizing the Past: Zechariah warns the people not to idealize their heritage. Their “fathers” (ancestors) had the same opportunity to repent when the “former prophets” (like Jeremiah and Isaiah) preached, but they stubbornly refused. Tradition is not an excuse for disobedience.
The Argument from Mortality: Verse 5 asks two haunting rhetorical questions: “Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever?” Zechariah is forcing them to look at the graveyards.
- The ancestors are dead (many in exile), proving they could not outrun God’s judgment.
- The prophets are dead, proving that the opportunity to hear God’s word through a specific messenger is limited.

Conclusion

Humanity is transient, but accountability is permanent. You cannot wait out God; the messengers will eventually pass away, and the stubborn will eventually die, but the window to repent is open now.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 3: Zechariah 1:2-3

December 16, 2025November 24, 2025 by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Zechariah 1:2-3

“The Lord was very angry with your ancestors. ³Therefore, tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17 Day 3: Zechariah 1:2-3

5a) That God gets angry. It reveals God as consistently just and faithful. By citing His anger at their ancestors, He proves He is not indifferent to evil and keeps His word. He addresses the past honestly, showing He takes the covenant seriously. This establishes that His mercy is a deliberate choice, not an oversight of sin.

b) God is slow to anger; whereas, humans are quick to anger. God is a jealous God. God offers judgment. Human anger is often impulsive, selfish, and uncontrolled, driven by wounded pride. God’s anger is a deliberate, righteous reaction to evil. It is always just, measured, and constructive. Unlike human rage, God’s anger is never a loss of control but a necessary defense of holiness and justice.

c) Through the blood of Jesus Christ.

6a) ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.

b) God loves us infinitely. He is our strength from the devil and temptation. If we humble ourselves before the Lord, He will lift us up. It reveals God as redemptive and responsive. He takes the initiative to invite sinners back, proving He desires relationship over judgment. His promise to “return to you” (Zechariah 1:3) or “draw near” (James 4:8) shows that He is not distant; He is waiting to embrace anyone who humbly turns to Him.

c) He calls me to be close to Him and be more like Jesus. Through blessing me every day. Through challenges that make me rely on Him. Through prayer, faith, Bible study, and others. He calls me every day.

God calls people through the initiative of His Word and the internal conviction of the Holy Spirit. He uses Scripture, human messengers, and sometimes difficult circumstances to awaken a spiritual need. His call is an invitation to relationship, promising that if they humbly turn to Him, He will meet them there.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 3: Zechariah 1:2-3

Great message of God’s great love for His people that He will never quit calling us to Him.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 3: Zechariah 1:2-3

This is a reminder that God was angry with the Jews’ ancestors, and they were banished. The same can happen to them, too.

God promises the people He is close, but they must choose to return to Him.

Remember, we are the ones who have moved away from God, not the other way around. James 4:8

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

These verses establish the ground rules for the post-exilic relationship between God and Israel, pivoted on acknowledgment and action.

Validation of History: God bluntly validates the trauma of the exile: “The Lord was very angry with your fathers.” He does not sugarcoat the past; the destruction of Jerusalem was a righteous judgment on previous generations.
The Invitation: The core message is a conditional promise of reciprocity: “Return to me… and I will return to you.” The Hebrew word for “return” (shuv) implies a literal change of direction, not just a feeling.
Urgency: The title “Lord of Hosts” (God of Armies) is repeated three times in one sentence, emphasizing that this is a supreme command, not a casual suggestion.

Conclusion

God is not holding a grudge over the past, nor is He distant; He is responsive. The restoration of His presence is guaranteed, but it waits upon the people’s initiative to move toward Him first.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 2: Zechariah 1:1

December 15, 2025November 24, 2025 by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Zechariah 1:1

“In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo”

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17 Day 2: Zechariah 1:1

3a) Zechariah was a prophet of the Lord who was called to prophesy to the people. His grandfather was a priest who returned with Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, and with Joshua to Jerusalem, who was the head of a priestly family.

b) The timing of Zechariah’s prophecy sets it two months after Haggai’s first prophecy (Haggai 1:1) and within a month after another prophecy of Haggai (Haggai 2:1). This was between October and November of 520 B.C.

4a) Zechariah and Haggai were trying to get the people to rebuild the temple of the Lord. Jerusalem was paralyzed by fear and apathy. Temple construction had ceased for 14 years due to political enemies. The people prioritized their own luxury homes while God’s house lay in ruins, causing severe economic hardship. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah arrived to shatter this stagnation and spark immediate action.

b) That He cares about them and loves them infinitely. It reveals a relentless desire to dwell with His people. God refuses to abandon them to apathy or fear. By initiating contact, He shows that He remembers His covenant and values their relationship above their failures, actively intervening to restore their hope, purpose, and future glory.

c) He has guided me in the right direction and corrected me, too, if I misstepped. He always has the answers if we pray and listen and take the step we believe is right.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 2: Zechariah 1:1

Wouldn’t it be cool if God called us now like He did in OT times? I am grateful for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, but to have God’s direct words from others must have been something to behold!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 2: Zechariah 1:1

Zechariah is a prophet who lived at the same time as Haggai. He encouraged the Israelites to return to God and rebuild the temple. He wanted the Israelites’ spirits to renew and harken for God.

Zechariah means “Jehovah remembers.”

This is after the people have returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon. Note that there is no king of Judah or Israel at this time. Darius sits on the throne of Persia.

Be on the lookout for pictures and symbols that Zechariah is fond of using.

Fun Fact: There are at least 27 different Zechariahs mentioned in the Bible.

Zechariah encouraged the people by telling them how much God cares for them and wants to use them for His purposes.

It’s interesting to note that Jesus mentioned Zechariah in Matthew 23:35

Fun Fact: Zechariah refers to Jesus more than any other Old Testament prophet except for Isaiah.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Zechariah 1:1 serves as the historical and theological anchor for the entire book.

Historical Reality: By dating the prophecy to the “second year of Darius” (approx. Oct/Nov 520 BC), the text acknowledges that Israel is currently under foreign (Persian) domination, not a sovereign kingdom. It places the message two months after Haggai began preaching, creating a united front for spiritual renewal.
Thematic Hope: The prophet’s name, Zechariah, means “Yahweh remembers.” His lineage (son of Berechiah) implies “Yahweh blesses.” This immediately counters the people’s fear that God had forgotten them in their post-exile struggle.
Divine Authority: The phrase “the word of the LORD came” validates that this is a direct revelation from God, not merely social commentary or human wisdom.

Conclusion

God is sovereign over human calendars and foreign kings; even in times of political weakness and delay, He remembers His covenant and intervenes in history at the exact right moment.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 16, Day 5: Haggai 2:10-23

December 11, 2025November 19, 2025 by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Haggai 2:10-23

Haggai questioned the priests to show that holiness is not contagious but impurity is. Therefore, if one neglected the house of the Lord even though they were living in the Holy Land and offering sacrifices, they would still remain unclean in God’s eyes. Haggai used a priestly ruling to show that the people’s impurity defiled their offerings. God reminded them of past poor harvests but promised that “from this day on I will bless you.” So, if the people turned to Him and followed Him, they would receive blessings. Finally, He told Zerubbabel He would overthrow kingdoms and make him His chosen signet ring.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 16 Day 5: Haggai 2:10-23

11a)

Examples of Purity and Defilement

Haggai first consulted the priests to establish two key principles regarding ritual purity under the Law:

Principle	Example Given (The Test)	Priestly Ruling	Theological Lesson
Purity/Holiness	Carrying consecrated meat in one’s garment and touching common food (v. 12).	NO. Holiness does not transfer by touch.	A small amount of spiritual dedication (like the Temple work) cannot purify a life of neglect.
Defilement/Sin	A person ritually unclean (by touching a dead body) touching common food (v. 13).	YES. Defilement does transfer by touch.	A small amount of spiritual corruption spreads quickly and renders all surrounding effort unclean.

Connection to the Current State of the People

Haggai applied the principle of defilement directly to the returning exiles:

The Application (v. 14): He declared, “So is this people, and so is this nation before me… and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean.”
The Meaning: Because the people’s hearts were unclean (defiled by self-interest and spiritual neglect—prioritizing their own “paneled houses” over God’s house), their spiritual defilement spread to all their efforts. Their sacrifices were rejected, and their agricultural work was cursed, not because of their technique, but because the person doing the work was spiritually misplaced.

God then reversed the curse with a promise of immediate blessing: He commanded them to “consider now, from this day forward…” (v. 15), assuring them that since they had restarted the physical work on the Temple (a sign of their restored spiritual priority), He would bless them from that day on.

b) Everyone. To accept Christ as their Lord and Savior.

The long answer:

God considers all humanity to be in a state of defilement, spiritual death, and unrighteousness due to sin.

The Bible teaches that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), making every person spiritually separated from God’s perfect holiness and therefore “unrighteous” (Romans 3:10) and “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).

The Remedy: Jesus Christ

The remedy for the human condition is found only in Jesus Christ and is applied through faith and the work of the Holy Spirit.

1. For Defilement and Unrighteousness (Justification)

The remedy is justification by faith. God declares the repentant believer righteous, not based on their own flawed actions, but by crediting Christ’s perfect righteousness to them (2 Corinthians 5:21). This removes the guilt of unrighteousness.

2. For Spiritual Death (Regeneration)

The remedy is regeneration, or being “born again.” The Holy Spirit gives new spiritual life to the person who was dead in sin (Titus 3:5), allowing them to connect with God and live a life of obedience.

c) Their spiritual defilement, caused by prioritizing luxurious homes over God’s Temple, corrupted their daily lives. God declared their sacrifices and “every work of their hands” unclean (Haggai 2:14), resulting in the economic futility of poor harvests and lasting dissatisfaction.

12) God encourages Zerubbabel by saying that He is going to shake the heavens and the earth. God will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. God will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother. The Lord declared that He will make you like my signet ring, for He has chosen you.

God encouraged Zerubbabel by commanding, “Be strong and work,” assuring him, “I am with you.” He promised the new temple’s latter glory would surpass the former (Haggai 2:9), giving the governor the spiritual assurance and mandate needed to continue the work and lead the entire project to its glorious conclusion.

13a) Haggai’s prophecy that the Temple’s “latter glory will be greater than the former” (Hag 2:9) ultimately points to Christ’s return. The predicted “shaking of the heavens” is the prelude to the Messiah’s arrival. While the immediate glory was Christ entering the physical temple, the final fulfillment is the Second Coming. As Daniel 7 and Matthew 24 describe, Christ will return visibly, receive everlasting dominion, and establish a global kingdom of unparalleled glory and final peace, surpassing all earthly structures.

b) Christ’s coming should bring everyone hope, especially in the down times of life.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 16, Day 5: Haggai 2:10-23

I love the emphasis on doing good in order to receive blessings and to be wary of spiritual neglect.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 16, Day 5: Haggai 2:10-23

Living in God’s land did not make the people holy. In essence, if the people would put their priorities back in order, God will bless them.

God will fight for His people in the final days.

The signet ring showed royal authority.

Zerubbabel was in the ancestry of Jesus. He was a descendant of Solomon. Zerubbabel was in the line leading to Joseph, the adoptive father of Jesus (Matthew 1:12). He was a descendant of the last legitimate king of Judah (Jeconiah). The house of David is through him.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Haggai 2:10-23 contains the final two messages of the prophet, addressing the theological reason for the people’s past suffering and providing a powerful promise for their future leader.

Interpretation

The Lesson of Defilement (vv. 10-14): Haggai quizzes the priests to establish a spiritual principle: holiness is not contagious, but defilement is. Just as touching something holy doesn’t make a person holy, their ritual offerings could not fix a life lived in neglect of God. Conversely, their disobedience (like touching a dead body) spread like a disease, defiling “every work of their hands.”
The Promise of Blessing (vv. 15-19): God calls them to mark the date. In the past, their grain and vines failed because of this spiritual defilement. But now that they have prioritized God and laid the Temple foundation, God declares a sharp reversal: “From this day on I will bless you.”
The Chosen Signet Ring (vv. 20-23): The final word is for Zerubbabel, the governor. God promises to “shake the heavens and the earth” and overthrow the power of foreign kingdoms. He designates Zerubbabel as His “signet ring”—a symbol of royal authority and seal. This reversed a curse previously placed on Zerubbabel’s grandfather (Jeconiah) in Jeremiah 22, officially re-establishing the Davidic line through which the Messiah would eventually come.

Conclusion

This passage connects the people’s present obedience to their future hope. It clarifies that mechanical religious rituals cannot cover up a disobedient heart, but genuine repentance brings immediate blessing. Furthermore, by establishing Zerubbabel as the “signet ring,” God assured a small, politically weak nation that their leadership was chosen by Him and that His sovereign plan for the line of David remained secure.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 16, Day 4: Haggai 2:1-9

December 10, 2025November 19, 2025 by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Haggai 2:1-9

God acknowledged the temple seemed like “nothing” compared to its past. He commanded the people to be strong and work because His Spirit remained among them. He told them not to fear. He promised to fill the house with glory, declaring its future greatness would exceed the former, and in this place, He would grant peace.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 16 Day 4: Haggai 2:1-9

8 ) Remembering the former glory of the first temple and that they were unable to replicate it.

9a) God strengthened them by recalling His covenant from Egypt (past) and assuring them His Spirit remained with them (present) and instructed them. He reminded them He owns all silver and gold, promising to shake the nations and grant the new temple greater glory and peace than the first (future).

b) God encourages strength by anchoring us in His past faithfulness and covenant. He assures us of His active presence today—”I am with you”—so we do not fear. He also promises a future glory that outweighs current struggles, motivating us to trust His plan over our immediate circumstances.

10) People encourage others by sharing testimonies of God’s past faithfulness to build confidence. They affirm His active presence in current struggles, reminding others they are never alone. Finally, they point to future promises of glory and restoration, providing hope that God’s ultimate plan far outweighs temporary hardships. Believers encourage by recalling God’s past faithfulness (Psalm 77:11). They affirm His present help as a “refuge and strength” (Psalm 46:1). Finally, they point to the future hope of His return (1 Thessalonians 4:18), assuring others that He who began a good work will complete it (Philippians 1:6).

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 16, Day 4: Haggai 2:1-9

Great lesson on being happy with what you can do for God no matter the level as long as it’s your best.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 16, Day 4: Haggai 2:1-9

This takes place in 520 B.C. It has been 66 years since the old temple was destroyed.

It’s not good to compare “the good old days” to now.

God gave the people 3 commands:

Be strong
Work
Do not fear

Fun Fact: This is the only part of Haggai quoted in the New Testament (Hebrews 12:26)

Many Bible Scholars see Jesus here. Jesus is the “desire of all nations.”

God will provide the resources for the rebuilding. (Herod will build this temple greater). And, Jesus did visit here, making it greater than the first temple.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Haggai 2:1-9 addresses the discouragement of the people who felt their rebuilding efforts were insignificant compared to the past, and God responds with a promise of future glory that far outshines physical opulence.

Interpretation

The Trap of Comparison (vv. 1-3): About a month into the work, the older generation who remembered the splendor of Solomon’s Temple began to weep. They looked at the new foundation and felt it was “as nothing” in comparison. Their nostalgia for the past was paralyzing their progress in the present.
The Call to Strength (vv. 4-5): God counters their despair with a three-fold command to “Be strong” and “work.” He reminds them that the building’s value is not in its gold, but in His covenant. Because His Spirit remains among them, they have no reason to fear or stop.
The Promise of Greater Glory (vv. 6-9): God asserts His sovereignty, declaring that all silver and gold belong to Him. He promises to “shake the nations” and fill the house with glory. He makes a stunning prophecy: the glory of this second, modest house will be greater than the first. While Solomon’s temple had the wealth of the world, this temple would eventually host the Savior of the world, bringing true peace.

Conclusion

This passage teaches that God measures success differently than humans do. While the people looked at the external appearance and saw failure, God looked at the spiritual significance and saw triumph. It serves as a timeless reminder not to “despise the day of small beginnings” or let comparison steal our joy, because God’s presence and future plans are what truly define the glory of a work.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 16, Day 3: Haggai 1:12-15

December 9, 2025November 19, 2025 by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Haggai 1:12-15

The people obeyed the Lord. Haggai told them that God was with them.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 16 Day 3: Haggai 1:12-15

6a) Fear of the Lord

b) The rebuilding of the temple

7a) I would say He puts things in my heart that are from Him to do for His glory. He leads me in the right direction to the right people at the right time, all for His glory!

b) His strength, courage, encouragement, and weapons to battle the Enemy who wants me to fail.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 16, Day 3: Haggai 1:12-15

I love how the people respond in faith and do good in the eyes of the Lord. So many times in the Old Testament, they ignore God. Love this!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 16, Day 3: Haggai 1:12-15

Fear came from God being the judge.

Yet, God strengthens the people and encourages them for His work, like He does for us.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Haggai 1:12-15 describes the people’s immediate and total turnaround, moving from apathy to action in less than a month.

Interpretation

The Heart Change (v. 12): Unlike previous generations who ignored the prophets, the leaders (Zerubbabel and Joshua) and the entire remnant “obeyed the voice of the LORD” and “feared the LORD.” Their response wasn’t just external labor; it was internal reverence.
The Divine Assurance (v. 13): As soon as the people committed to obey, the tone of God’s message shifted from rebuke to comfort. Haggai delivered a simple, powerful promise: “I am with you.” God’s presence was the immediate reward for their obedience.
The Supernatural Catalyst (vv. 14-15): The work was not accomplished by human willpower alone. The Lord “stirred up the spirit” of the leaders and the people. God provided the internal energy and motivation to carry out the external task, and construction resumed on the 24th day—just 23 days after Haggai’s first message.

Conclusion

This passage illustrates the dynamic synergy between human responsibility and divine sovereignty. When the people took the first step of obedience and reverence, God immediately responded with His presence and power. It teaches that God does not just demand work from His people; He energizes and equips those who are willing to align their priorities with His.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 16, Day 2: Haggai 1:1-11

December 8, 2025November 19, 2025 by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Haggai 1:1-11

God tells His people through Haggai the prophet that it is time to rebuild His house. The people need to examine their ways. God has withheld his blessings because the people have been building their own houses, rather than His.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 16 Day 2: Haggai 1:1-11

3) The people responded with procrastination and self-interest. They claimed it wasn’t the right time to rebuild God’s Temple, yet busied themselves improving their own luxurious “paneled houses.” Instead of seeking God during their hardship, they retreated into personal comfort, resulting in a cycle of futile labor and dissatisfaction.

4a) Haggai challenged them by asking why they lived in luxury while God’s house lay in ruins. He connected their economic frustration—working hard but gaining little—directly to their spiritual neglect. He commanded them to “consider your ways,” revealing that true satisfaction is impossible when personal comfort ranks above God’s glory

b) Well, this is a loaded question! So, so many ways! We can become so distracted by life’s busyness and other things in life that we do lose our focus on God. Opposition breeds fear, prompting a retreat into self-preservation. This “survival mode” clouds judgment, convincing us that immediate comfort matters more than divine purpose. We prioritize protecting ourselves over obedience, leading to poor choices because we seek satisfaction in temporary safety rather than trusting in God’s sovereignty and provision.

5a) God motivated them by commanding, “Consider your ways,” forcing them to recognize that their hardship stemmed from neglecting His house. He then gave clear, achievable steps—”go up,” “bring wood,” and “build”—moving them from self-focused apathy to tangible obedience that would finally bring God pleasure and glory.

b) This is encouraging because God will redirect me if needed and when I stray from Him. It encourages us that feelings of emptiness aren’t random, but God’s loving invitation to realign our priorities. It reminds us we can break the cycle of “never enough” by putting God first. We don’t have to chase satisfaction in material things; simple obedience brings true purpose and God’s pleasure.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 16, Day 2: Haggai 1:1-11

I love how God calls out His people when they have lost focus on Him. So, so good!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 16, Day 2: Haggai 1:1-11

The time is around 520 B.C. Haggai is considered one of the minor prophets. He was one of only three prophets (Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi) to speak to the people after their return from exile (hence called the post-exilic prophets).

This book occurs around the time of Ezra 5-6

Timeline of God’s Temple Building:

In 538 B.C. King Cyrus of Persia allowed the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem after 70 years in captivity.
In 536 B.C., construction on the temple began, led by Zerubbabel.
The work stopped after two years (534 B.C.).
In 520 B.C., after 14 years of neglect, work on the temple resumed
In 516 B.C., the temple was finally finished (Ezra 6:15).

Ezra mentions Haggai twice in his book (Ezra 5:1-2) and (Ezra 6:14)

Work stopped because the people said that it was not yet time to rebuild, and they had a host of excuses (no money, drought, fighting enemies, etc).

Remember, only about 50,000 people returned from exile. The rest chose to stay in Babylon.

The people’s priorities were wrong, putting their personal comfort over God.

God sees through excuses.

Therefore, God removed His blessing, and the people suffered because of this.

Nothing satisfies us if our priorities are wrong.

God calls the people to work and to please Him, not themselves.

Find Haggai’s 4 prophetic messages HERE.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Haggai 1:1-11 is a direct confrontation regarding misplaced priorities. The prophet challenges the returned exiles who claimed “the time has not yet come” to rebuild God’s Temple, yet found ample time and resources to build luxurious “paneled houses” for themselves.

Interpretation

The Diagnosis (vv. 2-4): Haggai exposes the people’s procrastination as selfishness. They weren’t unable to build; they were simply unwilling to prioritize God over their own comfort.
The Consequence (vv. 5-6, 9-11): God calls them to “Consider your ways!” He connects their economic futility—working hard but earning little, eating but staying hungry—directly to their spiritual neglect. God was actively withholding blessings, blowing away their earnings because they were busy with their own homes, while His house lay in ruins.
The Remedy (vv. 7-8): The solution was simple obedience: go up to the hills, bring down timber, and build the house. The goal was not just a building, but that God might take pleasure in it and be glorified.

Conclusion

This passage establishes a spiritual principle: when God is second, nothing else satisfies. The people’s pursuit of personal security and comfort at the expense of their relationship with God resulted in frustration and a lack. True satisfaction and blessing are found only when God’s glory is the central priority of life.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 5: Esther 10

December 4, 2025November 13, 2025 by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Esther 10

Mordecai was second only to King Xerxes and was held in high esteem for the work he did for his people.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 5: Esther 10

12) Mordecai always put the people first and worked to ensure they were preserved. Mordecai exhibited profound loyalty and selflessness. Instead of using his new power for personal gain, he actively “sought the good of his people” and “spoke peace to all his kindred.” His memorial was glowing because he used his position to ensure their welfare and security.

13a) The world defines greatness by self-exaltation: power, wealth, and fame. God’s definition is the opposite, based on self-sacrificial service. He measures greatness not by who you rule or what you accumulate, but by how you humbly use your influence to love and seek the good of others.

b) Inherent selfishness. The primary obstacles are our inherent self-interest and a fear of scarcity. We naturally prioritize our own comfort and security. A lack of empathy and a cultural focus on individualism also make it difficult to put the needs of others before our own personal well-being.

14) God has given me my kids, spouse, and family. I can always put their needs first.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 5: Esther 10

Love this! Love seeing Mordecai get his due after all he’s done for the people.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 5: Esther 10

God works His plans through humans’ free will.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Esther 10 is a brief epilogue that solidifies the permanent reversal of fortunes for the Jewish people and the complete exaltation of their protector, Mordecai.

Interpretation

The three short verses confirm three key facts:

The King’s Power (v. 1): King Ahasuerus remains a powerful ruler over his vast empire.
Mordecai’s Historical Greatness (v. 2): Mordecai’s promotion was not a temporary whim. His accomplishments and high position as second-in-command were officially recorded in the royal chronicles of Media and Persia, cementing his status in secular history.
Mordecai’s True Legacy (v. 3): This key verse explains why he was great. He was popular and esteemed by the Jews because he used his immense power not for personal gain, but to “seek the good of his people and speak peace to all his kindred.”

Conclusion

This chapter provides the final, stable resolution to the story. The book ends not with the king, but with Mordecai, a Jew, securely established in the second-highest position in the empire. It is the ultimate testament to God’s hidden providence, demonstrating that He elevated one of His own people from a state of mourning and near-death to a position of supreme authority, all to ensure the lasting peace, protection, and prosperity of the entire Jewish nation.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 4: Esther 9:20-32

December 3, 2025November 13, 2025 by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Esther 9:20-32

Due to these events, Purim was established (named after the casting of lots, pur, for the Jews’ destruction), a time to remember these two days of the Jews defeating their enemies.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 4: Esther 9:20-32

9) A festival to remember the two days the Jews defeated their enemies. The Festival of Purim commemorates the “great reversal” of the Jews’ fate. It celebrates their deliverance from Haman’s genocidal plot, which was determined by a “pur” (lot). It marks the time their designated day of destruction was transformed into a day of victory, turning their sorrow into joy.

10a) Because God is near, and He wants us to be happy. And, we have Jesus! What is there NOT to be grateful for?! Believers should rejoice always (Phil 4:4) because their joy isn’t based on fleeting circumstances, but on the unchanging reality that “the Lord is near” (Phil 4:5). It is an act of faith and God’s will (1 Thess 5:18), rooted in gratitude and trust, not in feelings.

b) Gosh, this is a loaded question! Everything to put it simply. God is good, omniscient, omnipotent, and in control. His love wraps me. And He is responsible for everything in my life. And, I get to be with Him forever! What joy! Joy comes from knowing God is sovereign, present (“the Lord is near”), and always working for our good, even when hidden. Our salvation is secure, our sins are forgiven, and He promises to turn our greatest sorrows into joy and grant us eternal life.

11a) It gives me courage to keep fighting the good fight when all I want to do is give up. Remembering God’s past faithfulness builds our trust for future challenges. It gives us a bank of evidence to draw from, proving His character and reliability. This strengthens our faith, reduces fear, and provides hope when we face uncertainty.

b) God’s ways, will, and purpose always prevail. The core truth many people want their loved ones to remember is that God loves them unconditionally and He is always faithful. No matter what challenges they face or mistakes they make, He is always present, He will never leave them, and His goodness can always be trusted.

Because that truth is the ultimate anchor in life.

People want their loved ones to grasp this because it’s the foundation for:

Security: Knowing God’s love is unconditional gives a person unshakeable worth that isn’t dependent on their performance, success, or what others think of them.
Resilience: Believing God is faithful and present provides profound comfort and hope during failure, fear, and suffering. It’s the conviction that they are never truly alone.

Ultimately, it’s the one truth that can provide deep peace and a solid foundation, no matter what life brings.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 4: Esther 9:20-32

I love how the Jews turned a day that was to be their end into triumph, victory, and celebration! How amazing!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 15, Day 4: Esther 9:20-32

Remembering what God does for us is so important.

Today, Purim is a joyous, carnival-like holiday. Jews celebrate by reading the Megillah (Scroll of Esther), wearing costumes, and making noise at Haman’s name. The celebration includes a festive meal, sending food gifts to friends (Mishloach Manot), and giving charity to the poor.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Esther 9:20-32 documents the official establishment of the Festival of Purim as a permanent, annual celebration.

Interpretation

Following the Jews’ victory, Mordecai writes letters to all 127 provinces, instructing the Jews to celebrate the 14th and 15th days of Adar every year. This new festival, named Purim (after the “pur,” or lot, that Haman cast), was to commemorate the great reversal: the time their sorrow was turned to joy and their mourning into a celebration.

The passage emphasizes that this was a time for feasting, joy, sending gifts to one another, and giving presents to the poor.

The section concludes by noting that Queen Esther confirmed the institution of Purim with a second letter, giving it her full royal authority and making its observance a permanent, binding tradition for all future generations of Jews.

Conclusion

This passage formalizes the story’s triumphant ending. It shows the Jewish leaders, Mordecai and Esther, ensuring that God’s hidden providence and their miraculous deliverance would never be forgotten. They deliberately transformed a date chosen for their destruction into a permanent, joyful festival, enshrining the themes of reversal, deliverance, and communal celebration into their national identity.

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