Homiletics Study: Exile & Return
Lesson 09 Passage: Ezra 1-2
Content (List of Topics or Events)
King Proclaims and Enables Israel’s Return (Ezra 1) 1. Cyrus proclamation for surviving Israel to return build a temple in Jerusalem (1-4) a. Appointed to build a temple b. Any of Israel may go build temple c. Proclaim “May God be with them” d. Living Survivors are to be provided silver, gold, goods, livestock and valuable gifts along with freewill offerings 2. Family head of Judah, Benjamin, Levites and those with prepared hearts prepared to go with neighbors’ assistance of items specified (5-6) 3. Cyrus brought out temple articles which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away (7) 4. Cyrus brought them by Mithredath, the treasurer and inventoried to Sheshbazzar prince of Judah (8-10) 5. Sheshbazzar brought these from Babylon to Jerusalem (11) | Returning Exiles Identified and Counted (Ezra 2:1-58) 1. People returning from captivity each to their own town in company of leaders (1-2) 2. Israel descendants identified and counted (a census) (2b-58) a. Men of Israel (2b-35) b. The priests (36-39) c. The Levites (40) d. The musicians (41) e. The gatekeepers of temple (42) f. The temple servants (43-54) g. The descendants of the servants of Solomon (55-58) | Lineage verified, settled and offerings (Ezra 2:59-70) 1. Returnees that could not show families descended from Israel (59-63) a. Descendants of Delaiah, Tobiah, Nekoda (60) b. Among the priests; Hobaiah, Hakkoz and Barzillai and excluded from priesthood as unclean (61-63) 4. Returning company numbered with slaves, and singers along with horses, mules, camels and donkeys (64-67) 5. Arriving in Jerusalem, families gave freewill offerings toward building temple (68-69) 6. Priest, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers and temple servants with others; Israelites settled in their towns (70) |
Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)
King Proclaims and Enables Israel’s Return | Ezra 1 |
Returning Exiles Identified and counted | Ezra 2:1-58 |
Lineage Verified, Settled and offerings | Ezra 2:59-70 |
Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)
Ezra describes proclamation, enablement, count in Israel’s exile Jerusalem return. |
Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)
CTATL that God is faithful enabling the His people to do His work. |
Application Questions
How has God delivered you from harsh circumstances and provided for you? How have you thanked Him? |
In what ways have you counted your blessings? Your blessing could be found in your descendants. |
Where have you settled? It’s not a place; it’s an attitude. |
Principles to Remember
God can use our leaders for His purposes |
Blessings are to be counted |
Gratitude comes from the heart |
Characteristic of God
Promise Keeper |
Theme
Ezra describes Cyrus’ proclamation, enabling decree and the details of Israels return from exile. |
No comments:
Post a Comment