Return And RebuildReturn And RebuildLesson 12Lesson 12

2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-5:1; Haggai (Waldron, p.74-79)

Wednesday July 21, 2010

Key Dates and Events 605 B.C. – 1st Wave of Captives (Daniel). 539 B.C. –

Babylon Falls. Cyrus of Persia overtakes Babylon Empire. Darius the Mede rules in Babylon.

538 B.C. – Cyrus releases all captives. Babylonian captivity ends.

537-536 B.C. – 1st Jews return to Jerusalem. Worship restored. Temple foundation laid.

530-529 B.C. – Samaritan oppression; temple construction halted. 520 B.C. – Prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah. 520-516 B.C. – Temple construction resumed and finished.

Outline – Return And Rebuild 2 Chr. 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-5:1 – 1st Return:

Ezra 1:1-4 – Cyrus’s Proclamation. 1:5-2:70 – Preparation and 1st Return. 3:1-4:5 – Early Progress and Adversity. 4:6-5:1 – Temple Construction Halted.

Prophecy of Haggai – Build the Temple: 1:1-15 – “Consider Your Ways!” 2:1-9 – Future Glory of the God’s House. 2:10-19 – Now, God Will Bless You. 2:20-23 – God Has Chosen Zerubbabel.

Cyrus’s Proclamation“Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, ‘Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.’” (Ezr 1:1-3)

“For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.” (Jeremiah 29:10)

“That saith of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.’” (Isa 44:28) “…that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.” (Isa 45:3b-4)

Preparation and 1st Return“And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem. Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered. Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods; Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah. And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives, Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand. All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.” (Ezr 1:4-11)

“The whole assembly together was 42,360, besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337, and they had 200 male and female singers.” (Ezr 2:64-65) “Now the priests, the Levites, some of the people, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants lived in their towns, and all the rest of Israel in their towns.” (Ezr 2:64-70)

QuestionsThe Proclamation of Cyrus (II Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra

1:1-4)1. Why did Cyrus free the Jews from captivity?

The First Return (Ezra 1:1-2:70)2. How did King Cyrus and the Jews who remained, help those

Jews who left Babylon?

3. What was the attitude of those who returned? How do you know?

Early Progress and Adversity“Then arose Jeshua the son of Jozadak, with his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel with his kinsmen, and they built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God. (Ezr 3:2) And they kept the Feast of Booths, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number according to the rule, as each day required, and after that the regular burnt offerings, the offerings at the new moon and at all the appointed feasts of the LORD, and the offerings of everyone who made a freewill offering to the LORD. (Ezr 3:5) Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD. Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites. And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.” (Ezr 3:8-11)

Early Progress and Adversity (cont.)“Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the

captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel; Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither. But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us. Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building, And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.” (Ezr 4:1-5)

“Until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day. And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.” (2Ki 17:23-24) “So these nations feared the LORD, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children's children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day.” (2Ki 17:41)

Temple Construction Halted“This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time. Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations. Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings. Now because we have maintenance from the king's palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king; That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed. We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.” (Ezr 4:11-16)

Temple Construction Halted (cont.)“The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me. And I commanded,

and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein. There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them. Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me. Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?” (Ezr 4:18-22)

“Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.” (Ezr 4:23-24)

QuestionsRebuilding of Altar, Renewing of Sacrifices and Feasts (Ezra

3:1-6)4. What courage did the people show at this time?

Reconstruction of the Temple Begins (Ezra 3:7-13)5. Why were the old people weeping, while everyone else

rejoiced?

Work on the Temple is Stopped (Ezra 4:1-24)6. Why should the Samaritans have not been permitted to help

with the rebuilding?

Haggai – Introduction Prophecies delivered in the 2nd year of Darius I

ca. 520 B.C. (not the same Darius of Daniel 5). Persian rulers of the period:

Cyrus (559-529 B.C.) Cambyses (Artaxerxes) (529-522 B.C.) Darius I (522-486 B.C.)

Work on the temple has lay dormant for 10-15 years.

Theme of the Haggai’s prophecy: Build the temple!

Haggai – “Consider Your Ways!”“Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the

time that the LORD'S house should be built. Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD. Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit. And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.” (Hag 1:2-11)

Haggai – Future Glory of God’s House“Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is

it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts: According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not. For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Hag 2:3-9)

“Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.” (Heb 12:26-29)

Haggai – Now, God Will Bless You“And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid

upon a stone in the temple of the LORD: Since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty measures, there were but ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty. I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith the LORD. Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD'S temple was laid, consider it. Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.” (Hag 2:15-19)

Haggai – God Has Chosen Zerubbabel“Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;

And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother. In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Hag 2:21-23)

As I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence; (Jer 22:24)

Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man (Coniah) childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah. (Jer 22:30)

QuestionsThe Message of the Prophet Haggai (Ezra 5:1; Haggai 1:1-

2:23)7. What excuse did the people offer for not rebuilding the temple?

8. Where had the people invested their energies? Had they enjoyed success?

9. Explain the fulfillment of Haggai 2:6-9 and Haggai 2:21-23?

Key Points: Return And Rebuild Cyrus, king of Persia, proclaims Jewish captives free to return to Jerusalem

and rebuild the city/temple.

The 1st return (536 B.C.) is approximately 70 years after the first Jewish captives were taken to Babylon (605 B.C.).

Approximately 50,000 return to Jerusalem. They begin to restore worship according to the Law and lay the foundation for a new temple.

Work on the temple is halted around 530 B.C. under the pressure of increasing opposition from the inhabitants of the land.

Theme of Haggai’s prophecy: Build the temple!

God is withholding blessings from the people because they’ve neglected God’s house while establishing their own houses.

Haggai’s prophecy of the future glory of the temple is Messianic in nature.

God promises blessings on the people now that they’re attending to His house.

Haggai’s prophecy regarding Zerubbabel is Messianic in nature.

Key Lessons God’s keeps His word. God rules in the affairs of men. God expects His people to put Him first (even in difficult

times). Those who put God first can expect His blessings. It’s possible to be working, yet still leave undone

important tasks in service to God. God’s spiritual house will be more glorious than the

physical house built for Him by the Jews. God made provision to keep His “seed” promise to

Abraham.