Bible with Brandi – Week 14 Ezra Chapters 1-6

This week, we get to dive into the book of Ezra.

NOTE: The first four chapters of Ezra take place before Haggai and Zechariah (whom we just read) bring God’s correction and encouragement.

The people, a remnant from Babylon, now under Persian control, are tasked with the sacred and daunting assignment ofrebuilding the temple that had been destroyed in the days of Nebuchadnezzar. This remnant consisted of families from the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi that had lived as exiles for nearly seventy years. Described as those who had “came back from captivity, of those who had been carried away,” their hearts were understandably weary, vulnerable to distraction and discouragement. (Ezra 2:1) Some of those who returned to Jerusalem could not even “identify their father’s house or their genealogy, whether they were [in fact] of Israel.” (Ezra 2:59) Yet, in their suffering there was also rejoicing as depicted in Psalm 126.

When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion,

We were like those who dream.

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing.

Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad.

Bring back our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the South.

Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.

He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing,

Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

It was this rejoicing that empowered them to lay the foundations of the temple and reestablish the sacrificial system of worship. But “the people of the land … discourage[d] the people of Judah. They troubled them in building and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose.” (Ezra 4:4-5) And the remnant, who knew the voice of discouragement well, discontinued their work on the temple of the Lord, and instead focused their energies on building up their own homes. Scripturedescribes it like this: “Thus, the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem ceased, and it was discontinued until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.” (Ezra 4:24)

In His mercy, God sent Haggai to correct their misplaced priorities, and then Zechariah to lift their eyes beyond the present moment. Through the prophets, God reminded His remnant that their obedience carried a purpose far greater than themselves. The rebuilding of the second temple would prepare the way for the coming Messiah, the One who would one day enter Jerusalem, step into that very temple, and reveal Himself as the ultimate King-Priest.

Chapter 5 reveals the people’s response to the prophets’ words – “So [they] began to build the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them, helping them.” (Ezra 5:2) And this time, no matter what opposition the remnant faced, “the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, so that they could not make them cease.” (Ezra 5:5) In fact, “the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of [Haggai and Zecharaiah]. And they built and finished [the temple], according to the commandment of the God of Israel…” (Ezra 6:14)

Isn’t it amazing to read what can happen when God’s people come together in strength? And how impactful a prophetic word can be? It can empower obedience!

Reflective Questions:

1. Have you ever experienced a season of “return” after exile-like discouragement? What did it feel like when God began restoring something you thought had been lost?

2. The remnant rejoiced even while carrying the grief of seventy years of captivity.
Where in your life are sorrow and joy existing together right now?

3. What “sacred assignment” has God placed before you that feels daunting or vulnerable to delay? How have weariness or distraction tempted you to stop building? Like the people in Ezra 4, have outside voices ever caused you to abandon what God clearly asked you to do? What voices of discouragement are competing with God’s voice in this season?

4. The remnant turned from building God’s house to building their own homes. In what ways can misplaced priorities subtly pull your attention away from God’s purposes?

5. What unfinished work in your spiritual life is God calling you to resume? Is there an area of prayer, worship, obedience, or calling that has been left dormant?

6. The rebuilding of the temple prepared the way for Jesus.How might your present obedience be preparing the way for God’s future purposes beyond what you can currently see?

7. What prophetic truth from Scripture is empowering your obedience right now? What promise of God gives you strength to keep building?