Ezra 10

CORPORATE REPENTANCE

CORPORATE RESPONSE (1-4): How did people respond to Ezra's public confession? Who emerged as leader from the group and what did he propose?

EZRA's PROCLAMATION (5-8): What was the content of the proclamation? What was the penalty for disobedience?

EZRA's ADDRESS (9-17): How does Ezra confront the sin of people? How do people respond? How were the individual cases reviewed and decided?

LIST OF GUILTY (18-44): Who is included in the list? What did they do put away their transgressions? Does the solution seem harsh?

EZRA 9:1-15

EZRA’s PRAYER OF CONFESSION

REPORT:HOLY SEED CORRUPTED(1-2): What report did princes give Ezra?

What contributed to the spiritual decline among Israelites? What prompted the

princes to come forward? Did the news come as a surprise to Ezra? What does the law

and the new testament exhort about separation?

EZRA’S REACTION (3-4): How did Ezra react to the report? How do other

observers react to Ezra? What is the appropriate first response when we observe sin

among God’s children?

EZRA’s PRAYER OF CONFESSION (5-15): What was Ezra’s posture for prayer?

How did Ezra structure his prayer and what were the main elements? What does Ezra

request or expect of God in his prayer?

EZRA 8:1-14

EZRA’s LEADERSHIP:

RETURN | RECRUITMENT | STEWARDSHIP

THE RETURN WITH EZRA (1-14): How many family heads are listed? How

many returned with Ezra?

FASTING & PRAYER, RECRUITMENT OF LEVITES(15-23): Which prominent

group was missing? How did Ezra solve the problem? Why did they fast & pray?

STEWARDSHIP OF PRECIOUS METALS (24-34): How did Ezra demonstrate

stewardship? Was anything lost or missing?

WORSHIP (35-36): How did they worship?

EZRA 7:11-28

Decree of king Artaxerxes | Ezra’s response

King’s Decree (11-26): What was the main content of the decree? What was the task given

to Ezra? How was the generosity of king expressed? Why was the king generous towards Ezra?

Were there any limits? What was the provision regarding taxes? What additional authority was

given to Ezra?

Ezra’s Response (27-28): How did Ezra respond to the decree and its provisions?

EZRA 7:1-10

EZRA & HIS MISSION

EZRA's BACKGROUND (1-5): What can we say about the lineage of Ezra? What else do we know about Ezra?

GOD's FAVOR ON EZRA (6-9): When did Ezra begin his journey back? What was the secret of Ezra's success? How can we say God's favor was on Ezra?

EZRA's 3MISSION (10): What was Ezra's 3-fold mission? Are all believers called to have the same mission as Ezra?

EZRA 6

Ezra 6 Summary: Restoration Completed Through God’s Favor

Ezra 6 marks the completion of the temple reconstruction, affirming that when God begins a work, He brings it to completion despite delays, opposition, or limited resources.

🔍 Key Events and Themes

• Search for Cyrus’ Decree: At the governor’s request, King Darius orders a search for King Cyrus’ original decree authorizing the temple's rebuilding. Though not found in Babylon, it’s located in Ecbatana, confirming the Jews' claims (vv.1–5).
• Darius’ Strong Decree: Darius authorizes the work to continue and funds it from the royal treasury. He provides materials for sacrifices and commands that prayers be offered for him and his sons, showing God’s influence over a pagan king (vv.6–12).
• Temple Completion: The temple is completed in the 6th year of Darius (v.15), 20 years after the initial return. It was made possible by God's spirit (Zech. 4:6) and the continued encouragement of prophets Haggai and Zechariah (v.14).

🎉 Dedication and Worship Restored

• The temple is dedicated with joy, sacrifices, and appointments of priests and Levites as per the Law of Moses (vv.16–18). Worship is not random—it is done with reverence, order, and gladness.
• The Passover is restored and celebrated joyfully. It marks not only their deliverance from Egypt but now their freedom from Babylon. The celebration includes those who separated themselves from the unclean practices of the land—emphasizing the importance of spiritual separation (vv.19–22; 2 Cor. 6:17).

🧭 Reflections and Lessons

1. God honors integrity – The Jews spoke the truth during investigation, and God honored their honesty (v.5).
2. God’s children find favor with pagans – Darius becomes a supporter, funding and defending the work (vv.6–10).
3. God keeps His promises – Despite Zerubbabel’s 14-year pause, God gave him a second chance to complete the temple (v.14).
4. True worship requires separation – Worship is not about buildings but about a contrite heart and separation from worldliness (Isaiah 66:1–2).
5. God’s presence, not grandeur, brings joy – The second temple lacked the first’s splendor, but joy came through restored worship and God's presence (vv.16–22).

🏛️ From Physical to Spiritual Temples

The second temple, though less grand, symbolized God’s faithfulness. Eventually, it was destroyed again, but Scripture teaches that we are now God’s temple (1 Cor. 3:16), and true worship is in spirit and truth (John 4:23–24).

📘 Chapters 1–6 Summary:

• Chapter 1: Cyrus’ proclamation to rebuild
• Chapter 2: Return of 50,000 exiles
• Chapter 3: Altar and temple foundation laid
• Chapter 4: Work halted by opposition
• Chapter 5: Prophetic encouragement resumes building
• Chapter 6: Temple completed, worship and joy restored

Main takeaway: When God calls and we obey, He provides the strength, people, favor, and completion—not by might, but by His Spirit.

EZRA 5

Ezra 5 Summary: Rebuilding Resumes Under God’s Favor

The chapter begins with the resumption of the temple reconstruction after a 16-year pause. Initially, the work had stopped due to opposition from the Samaritans, fear, discouragement, and misplaced priorities among the Jews. However, prophets Haggai and Zechariah revived the mission through God’s word, stirring the hearts of leaders and people alike.

Prophetic Encouragement

• Haggai’s message called out their distraction—building their own homes while neglecting God’s house—and urged them to consider their ways.
• Zechariah reinforced the call with a reminder: “Return to me and I will return to you” (Zech. 1:3) and emphasized that the work would be completed not by might or power, but by God’s Spirit (Zech. 4:6).

Repentance and Restoration

Repentance paved the way for renewal:

• Zerubbabel, though initially responsible for the delay, was given a second chance and honored with completing the temple.
• The pathway to restoration required acknowledging failure, humbling oneself, and returning to the original call—lessons drawn from biblical figures like Peter, who wept bitterly and was restored after denying Christ.

Investigation and God's Protection

As the rebuilding progressed, a governor named Tattenai and his officials launched an investigation. They questioned:

1. Who authorized the rebuilding?
2. Who were the leaders behind it?

The Jews responded truthfully and confidently, identifying themselves as servants of the God of heaven and earth. Unlike before, this inquiry did not halt the work. God’s eyes were upon them (Ezra 5:5), and His favor allowed the rebuilding to continue during the investigation.

Letter to King Darius

Tattenai sent a detailed, respectful letter to King Darius, summarizing the Jews’ claims:

• Their ancestors had angered God, leading to exile.
• King Cyrus had authorized the rebuilding and returned temple vessels.
• Zerubbabel had laid the foundation years ago, and now the work was resuming.

They requested Darius verify the decree of Cyrus to determine whether the work was truly permitted.

Key Reflections and Lessons

1. Always speak the truth, even under pressure or investigation. The Jews’ integrity was unwavering.
2. Respect civil authorities and laws, as long as they don’t contradict God’s word (Romans 13).
3. Obedience leads to God’s favor. Their faithfulness brought divine protection and progress.
4. Repentance is essential for restoration. Regret alone doesn’t restore fellowship with God—true repentance does.
5. Don’t presume on second chances. Like Zerubbabel, we may receive one—but we shouldn't count on it. Instead, live faithfully in God’s will now.

EZRA 5 + HAGGAI 1:2-9

TEMPLE REBUILDING WORK RESUMED

WORK RESUMED (1-2): Who was instrumental in inspiring remnant jews to resume the temple building work? Why was the work suspended? How long was the work suspended?

PROPHETIC INTERVENTION

EZRA ==> HAGGAI

ROLE OF PROPHET HAGGAI in REBUILDING (Haggai 1:2-9): What was the word given through prophet Haggai? Why were Jews experiencing material losses & dissatisfaction? How did the remnant respond to Haggai? How did God encourage them? What are some future promises?