Esther 1-2

 Homiletics                                                       Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    13                                                     Passage:    Esther 1-2

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Show of Wealth (Esther 1:1-11) 1. King Xerxes banquet introduction (1-3) a. Wealth on display for 180 days (4) b. King gave banquet lasting 7 days within enclosed garden of palace (5) c. Decorations of garden described of hangings, couches, pavement (6) d. Wine was served without limit (7-8) 2. Queen Vashti gave her own banquet for the women (9) 3. One the seventh day King Xerxes, in high spirits to bring the Queen Vashti to him wearing royal crown to display her beauty to people and nobles (10-11)

Refusal to Participate (Esther 1:12-22) 1. Queen Vashti refused invitation to come; making King Xerxes furious (12) 2. Xerxes consults experts in law and justice regarding matter what must be done (13-15) 3. Judgment of Memukan that Queen Vashti has done wrong to the king and peoples of the provinces and has become known bringing disrespect and discord (16-18) 4. Written decree written in laws of Persia and Media to band Vashti from presence of King and give her position to someone else bringing wives respect of husbands (19-20) 5. King and nobles pleased with advice did was proposed sending dispatches to each province (21-22)

New Queen – Preparation, Person, Providence (Esther 2) 1. Xerxes fury subsided over Vashti and a search is proposed to search for beautiful virgins for king to replace Vashti (1-4) 2. Mordecai raised Esther as his daughter after death of her parents (5-7) 3. Esther was taken to kings palace pleased Hegai who was in charge of harem and won favor; she was given beauty treatments (8-9) 4. Esther national and background remained secret; Mordecai came to courtyard to check on Esther (10-11) 5. Beauty treatments and selection process described (12-14) 6. Esther won favor of everyone and king was attracted to her and selected her queen (15-17) 7. Esther’s banquet was held (18) 8. Esther remained faithful to Mordecai’s instructions to keep secret family and nationality (19-20) 9. Mordecai sitting at the gate hears plot and shares with Esther who reports to king an investigation and punishment to king’s officers (21-23)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Show of Wealth	Esther 1:1-11
Refusal to Participate	Esther 1:12-22
New Queen – Preparation, Person, Providence	Esther 2

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Xerxes banquet demonstrates wealth queen’s rejection brings Esther’s queen selection.

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that wealth can disappoint while faithful adherence to godly principles stands out.

Application Questions

What is important to you?  Is it the things you have or the positions you take?

In difficult situations who do you turn to for help?

Mordecai’s care was tangible; how is your care for family meaningful and impactful?

Principles to Remember           

Wealth is more than the things you possess

Strong positions can be the wrong positions

Caring is a heart thing; it shows.

Characteristic of God

Sovereign

Theme

Displays of wealth, stubborn positions can bring disappointment; while generous caring, attentive listening can bring hope.

 

Ezra 9-10

 Homiletics                                                       Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    12                                                     Passage:    Ezra 9-10

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Holiness Jeopardy – Disgrace and humble prayer (Ezra 9) 1. Leaders come saying people of Israel have not separated themselves the neighboring peoples and detestable practices. (1) 2. They have married them and mingled with them and become unfaithful (2) 3. Ezra hearing became distraught and prayed (3-5) 4. Ezra’s prayer (6-15) a. Ashamed and disgraced because of sins; guilt is great lead to captivity (6-7) b. Gracious Lord has left a remnant giving light, relief and kindness; allowing rebuilding temple and city walls (8-9) c. Truth is we a forsaken commands and built relationships; ignoring Your commands (10-12) d. We are guilty but you have withheld punishment to this remnant (13) e. Would you not destroy us; you are righteous and not worthy to stand before you Lord (14-15)

Israelites join confess declare a Covenant to Separate (Ezra 10:1-11) 1. Large crown of Israelites gathered around Ezra as he prayed and joined him (1) 2. Shekaniah declares unfaithfulness in marrying foreign women let’s make a covenant before God according to God’s commands; we support you to do it.  (2-4) 3. Ezra go and fasts over unfaithfulness of people (5-6) 4. Proclamation goes out exiles to appear in 3 days accordance with decision (7-8) 5. Within the 3 days all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered in Jerusalem distressed by occasion and rain (9) 6. Ezra stands before them saying you have been unfaithful by marrying foreign women adding to Israel’s guilt (10) 7. Ezra tell them to honor God and do His will and separate yourselves from the people around you and your foreign wives (11).

Israelites Investigate, confront, Identify and offer sacrifice (Ezra 10:12-44) 1. Assemble agrees to do as Ezra said (12) 2. But there are many people and it’s rainy season; it will take some time… we have sinned greatly (13) 3. Let the officials act and schedule those who have taken foreign women so that God’s anger is turned away (14) 4. A couple leaders did not agree (15) 5. Ezra select family heads designating them by name to investigate cases (16-17) 6. An accounting was listed of those and pledge to put away wife and a guilt offering was made (18-44)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Holiness Jeopardy – Disgrace and humble prayer	Ezra 9
Israelites join and declare a Covenant to Separate	Ezra 10:1-11
Israelites Investigate, confront, identify and offer sacrifice	Ezra 10:12-44

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Ezra reacts to foreigner marriage unfaithfulness, inventory and separation call

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that God wants us to be holy, set apart from the world that can easily impact or faithfulness to Him.

Application Questions

How do you respond once sin is exposed? Are you remorseful and how do you take action?

In what ways are you tempted and act separate yourself from it?

How do you confront sin and act in response?

Principles to Remember           

Sin impacts our relationship with God

Sin exposed requires commitment

Sin resolved is Jesus and our follow-through to trust and obey

Characteristic of God

Revealer of Truth

Theme

Proximity to sin leads to unfaithfulness. Holiness requires that sin must be accounted, acted upon and dealt with and removed.

 

Ezra 7-8

 Homiletics                                                       Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    11                                                     Passage:    Ezra 7-8

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Head ’em Up - King sends and enables (Ezra 7) 1. Ezra, the lineage (1-5) 2. Ezra, the reputation (6) 3. Ezra’s, Jerusalem return outlined (7-9) 4. Ezra’s devotion, observance, teaching law its commands and decrees (10-11) 5. Decree for Jerusalem return (12-26) a. All Israelites who volunteer may go to Jerusalem (12-14) b. Take gold and silver that has been freely given and freewill offerings (15-16) c. With money given by bulls, rams, lambs, grain and drink offerings to be sacrificed in Jerusalem (17) d. Deliver silver, gold and articles entrusted for worship and anything else needed from royal treasury (18-20) e. Tax free diligence to be from treasures (21-24) f. Ezra given authority to appoint leaders and to teach 6. Ezra’s praise to God for provision and king’s heart and Head’s up Israel’s leaders (27-28)

Move ‘em Out – Families Registered and Levites added (Ezra 8:1-20) 1. Family heads recorded, descendants counted (8:1-14) 2. Ezra assembles and checks for Levites; none found (15) 3. Ezra summons leaders and men of learning telling them to go to Iddo requesting capable men (16-17) 4. Capable men found and temple servants; each were registered by name (18-20)

Dusty Trails – Journey Fasting and Prayer with accounting and praise (Ezra 8:21-36) 1. A Fast proclaimed to humble before Lord with request for safe journey (21) 2. Reason for fasting due to brag and not wanting to ask for protection from him. (22-23) 3. Setting apart 12 priest and separating out silver, gold and articles donated to house of God (24-27) 4. Instructions given to guard responsibility until we account for them in Israel (28-30) 5. The journey (dusty trails) to Jerusalem (31-32) 6. Weighed out gold, silver and articles; all was accounted for in Jerusalem (33-34) 7. Offering to the Lord and delivered orders to king’s satraps and governors (35-36)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Head ’em  Up  - King sends and enables	Ezra 7
Move ‘em Out – Families Registered and Levites added	Ezra 8:1-20
Dusty Trails – Journey Fasting and Prayer with accounting and praise	Ezra 8:21-36

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

King’s directions enable return with precious articles accounted and offerings.

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that God enables our journey with provisions for our way and is worthy of worship.

Application Questions

What have you been given authority to accomplish?

How have you prepared to journey with God?

How are you being faithful to what God has provided for you?

Principles to Remember           

God provides

God’s family is recognized and counted

Our faithfulness is an offering to God

Characteristic of God

Opens the Way

Theme

Our life journey is with God; He provides and counts us faithful as we travel with Him.

Ezra 3-6

 Homiletics                                                       Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    10                                                     Passage:    Ezra 3-6

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Altar Built; Praise Rings Out (Ezra 3) 1. Seventh month Joshua and Zerubbabel with associates begin building altar to God (1-2) 2. Altar built despite fear of peoples around them; sacrificing to Lord burnt offerings (3-6) 3. Second month/Second year House of God rebuilding began by paying Tyre and Sidon for cedar logs (7) 4. Zerubbabel and Joshua with priests and Levites and family joined in supervising work on house of God (8-9) 5. Praise rang out with trumpets and cymbals as the foundations were laid, singing “He is good; His love toward Israel endures forever” (10-13)

Opposition Experienced; Support Edict Provided (Ezra 4:1-6:12a) 1. Enemies come asking to help build temple and are rejected (4:1-3) 2. The rejected set out to discourage, bribing officials to discourage (4:4-5) 3. Accusations lodged against Judah and Jerusalem in letter to Artaxerxes (4:6-16) 4. King sends reply indicating history of revolt and rebellion and compelled by force to stop (4:17-24) 5. Prophets Haggai and Zechariah prophesied to build house of God (5:1-2) 6. Governor challenged authorization to rebuild temple asking for names with letter to king (5:3-10) 7. King responds with letter citing Cyrus’ decree to rebuild God’s house (5:11-16) 8. A search of the royal archives retrieved a copy of decree and contents (5:17-6:5) 9. Governor instructed to stay away from there and don’t interfere. (6:6-7) 10. Governor instructed to enable paying expenses and supplying sacrifices (6:8-10) 11. Anyone who defies edict or acts to destroy temple will be killed and their house destroyed. (6:11-12)

Temple Rebuild Completed; Joyous Worship Results (Ezra 6:12b-22) 1. Darius decree carried out with diligence (6:12b-13) 2. Elders of Jews built and prospered under teach of prophets Haggai and Zechariah completing the rebuilding of temple (6:14-15) 3. People celebrated the dedication of the Temple with joy with offerings, and installing priests in service of God (6:16-18) 4. Passover and Festival of Unleavened Bread celebration in joy. (6:19-22)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Altar Built; Praise Rings Out	Ezra 3
Opposition Experienced; Support Edict Provided	Ezra 4-6:12a
Temple Rebuild Completed; Joyous Worship Results	Ezra 6:12b-22

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Ezra describes Altar and Temple rebuilt, opposition, substantiation and celebration.

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that God works in the tasks He places before us. Joy comes through our faithful service to Him.

Application Questions

Where do you get sidetracked; what changes need to happen?

How have challenges impacted your kingdom service?

How does your worship bring God glory?

Principles to Remember           

Praise recognizes God’s work

Challenges are present

God’s handiwork brings joy.

Characteristic of God

Our Joy

Theme

Priests and Levites rebuild the altar and the temple; opposition hinders, while the king's edict brings completion and joy.

 

 

Ezra 1-2

 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) 2. Returning company numbered with slaves, and singers along with horses, mules, camels and donkeys (64-67) 3. Arriving in Jerusalem, families gave freewill offerings toward building temple (68-69) 4. 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.

 

Daniel 10-12

 Homiletics                                                       Study:        Exile & Return                               

Lesson    08                                                     Passage:    Daniel 10-12

Content (List of Topics or Events)

Vision to Highly Esteemed Daniel (Daniel 10:1-11:1) 1. In Cyrus’ 3rd year, Daniel received a message came in a vision of a great war; he had mourned and obtained from food and wine for 3 weeks (1-2) 2. On the 24th day of the 1st month, Daniel, standing by the Tigris River Daniel sees a man dressed in linen, belt of gold,  body like topaz, shining face, eyes like torches, arms & legs gleam of bronze, voice like multitude listening fell into sleep, face to the ground (3-9) 3. Man touched Daniel, standing describes Daniel’s humbleness before Lord, words were heard, coming in response (10-12) 4. Man explains being detained by Prince of Persia 21 days; now explain what will happen in future to Daniel’s people (13-14) 5. Daniel given strength to speak even in anguish over a vision of man with words “Peace be strong” (15-19) 6. Reason he came to Daniel is to tell what is written in Book of Truth for people (20-21;11:1) a. Soon to fight prince of Persia b. Prince of Greece c. 1st year of Darius support and protection

Vision Prediction: Truth (Daniel 11:2-45) 1. Prediction of kings in Persia before a more powerful Greece overtakes (2-4) 2. Prediction of fruitless attempt to unite these two north and south kingdoms as iron and clay (5-6) 3. War between two kingdoms (7-15) 4. Kingdom of North will overtake kingdom of South have power over Israel (16) 5. King will be defeated with a Tax Collector coming to power (17-20) 6. A Contemptible person and act deceitfully desecrating temple and set up the abomination that causes desolation (21-32) 7. Wise will instruct, in process they’ll die, punished, tormented without support. They will be refined and made spotless (33-35) 8. King will do as he pleases, and honor his successes and those who him. Contempt for all religion (36-37) 9. King will wage war in and will come to an end in his pursuit without help from others (38-45)

Vision Explained: Knowledge and Understanding of Times End (Daniel 12) 1. Great Prince protector of will arise and those in the Book will be delivered (1) 2. Multitudes who sleep will awake some to everlasting life and others to contempt (2) 3. Wise will shine, those who lead to righteousness, like stars forever (3) 4. Daniel roll up and seal words until end; many will go and increase knowledge (4) 5. The question “how long” and man clothed in linen answered “for a time, times half a time”; when power of home people broken all completed (5-7) 6. The question “what is the outcome”; many will be purified, spotless refined, wicked will be wicked. Wicked won’t understand the wise will (8-10) 7. When daily sacrifice abolished, the abomination setup 1290 days; blessed is the one who waits and reaches the end 1335 days (11-12) 8. Daniel told to go your way till the end, he’ll rest and then will receive allotted inheritance (13)

Divisions (Main Blocks of Thought)

Vision to Highly Esteemed Daniel	Daniel 10:1-11:1
Vision Prediction: Truth (Daniel 11:2-45)	Daniel 11:2-45
Vision Explained: Knowledge and Understanding of Times End	Daniel 12

Subject Sentence (Summarizes the contents of the Divisions – No more than 10 words)

Daniel has final instructions outlined of kingdoms, outcomes and inheritance.

Aim (Main Teaching Point of the Passage)

CTATL that God delivers his righteousness and they will shine brightly forever and ever.

Application Questions

What do people say about you?  How does that impact you today?

In what ways does the happenings in the world trouble you? What is your response?

How has your understanding of God’s Kingdom impacted your relationship with others?  What is your truth?

Principles to Remember           

Humble prayer has an impact

Kings and kingdoms will pass away

God’s words increase our knowledge

Characteristic of God

Source of Knowledge

Theme

Daniel finds the truth that Kings and kingdoms will come and go; our hope, knowledge and hope come from the Lord.