Ezra (The Fulfillment of God's Promises)
Notes
Transcript
EZRA
EZRA
Ezra spans from 538-486bc
• This is the same time as BUDDHA, CONFUCIUS, and SOCRATES
• The narrative picks up where 2 CHRONICLES left off
• The events take place under the MEDO-PERSIAN empire
The Babylonian empire has fallen to the MEDO-PERSIAN empire
King Cyrus issues a decree for the Jews to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the TEMPLE
• This decree fulfills the prophecy by Isaiah roughly 200 years prior
SURVEY OF EZRA:
• Ezra 1-6 — The RESTORATION of the temple
• Ezra 7-10 — The REFORMATION of the people
40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
12 But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy,
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.
2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began
16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.
13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.”
17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.
18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.