Lesson 2Restoring a Remnant

Remnanta remaining, usually small part;a fragment or scrap; a trace, vestige, leftover.

The Remnant included Leaders vs. 2a

Zerubbabel - was a governor of the Persian province of Judah and the and the grandson of Jehoiachin a king.Jeshua or Joshua – a high priest; Jeshua's grandfather Seraiah was killed and his children barely escaped to captivity.Seraiah – personal name meaning, “Yah has proved Himself ruler; possibly Ezra’s father.Bilshan – “son of the tongue”; i.e., "eloquent",

The Remnant included Leaders vs. 2a

Their task: Lead a comfortable people away from their comfort and into a land fraught with discouragment, opposition, frustration and most of all – hard work! Their focus:Obey despite obstacles. Obey in the face deception.Obey beyond understanding.Obey in the face of conformity.Obey as an act of love.

The Remnant included people.

“a leader with no one following is just taking a walk.”

Ezra 2:2 identifies 11 leaders. Ezra 2:3-35 identifies (with supporting scriptures) over 42,000 people!

The ratio is 1 leader for every 3,818 people!

20 the sons of Gibbar, 95; 21 the men of Bethlehem, 123; Ezra 2:20-21

The Remnant included people.

Their task follow, do what is asked of them with a heart unto the Lord. Try not to always have a better idea.

Their focusServing others is serving God.Service is a distinguishing mark of a believer.Great deeds are never accomplished without service.Serving others is the road to success.

The Remnant included ministers.

The Priests – Ezra 2:36-39 The Levites – Ezra 2:40

Those who by their birth were given the responsibility of the ministry work of the temple.

It is important to note that those whose lives were dedicated to the work of the ministry were included when there was no temple!

The Remnant included ministers.

Their task Produce and maintain an environment where God is honored, worshiped and glorified.

Their focusAllowing the events of every day life to be used as a vehicle to move themselves and others, closer to God.

It is critical to the work of God to recognize that ministers are people.

The Remnant included leftovers.

Ezra 2:59 - ….but they were not able to give evidence of their fathers' households, and their descendants, whether they were of Israel:

Ezra 2:62 These searched among their ancestral registration, but they could not be located; therefore they were considered unclean and excluded from the priesthood.

The Remnant included leftovers.

Their task To do whatever needed to be done with a spirit of thankfulness for a God-given opportunity to start anew.

Their focusThankfulness includes - remembering what God has done, telling others about it,showing God's glory to others, and offering gifts of self, time, and resources.