Subject: Exiles rebuild altar and temple with support from kings despite opposition
Aim: Worship and sacrifice prepares us for success in spite of challenges.
Divisions
A) Exiles rebuild the Altar and sacrifices set the stage for rebuilding the temple in year 2 (Ezra 3:1-6)
B) Rebuilding the Temple has opposition slowing down and stopping the work (Ezra 3:7-4:24)
C) Rebuilding temple completed in 4 years with Darius support (Ezra 5-6)
Content:
Ezra 3:1-6) Rebuilding the Altar, 7th month, Moses sacrifices written in Numbers 29
three major assemblies in 22 days, moving the people from awakening → repentance → renewal
7) Rebuilding Temple: gave money, traded food/oil for cedar logs
8-9) second year, working aged Levites supervise
10-13) foundation laid, celebration and praise, joy mixed with weeping
4:1-5) Opposition to the Rebuilding: enemies want in on building but are denied, set out to discourage, make afraid and bribe, frustrate
6-16) Later Opposition Under Xerxes and Artaxerxes, written accusation of rebellious and wicked city, walls to avoid taxes, sedition
17-24) King aligns with accusation, Temple building stops until 2nd year of Darius
5:1-2) Tattenai’s Letter to Darius: Haggai/Zechariah prophesied
3-17) Tattenai questions building started, sends letter to Darius quoting elders, we/servants of God rebuilding the temple as ordered by Cyrus
6:1-12) The Decree of Darius: looks up Cyrus decree, and doubles down on it - we'll fund it completely at elders direction.
6:13-15) Completion and Dedication of the Temple: Jews build, prosper under Haggai and Zechariah's preaching, temple completed 6th year under Darius
16-18) Israel, exiles celebrated dedication offering 500+ bulls, reams, lambs, 1 goat per Israel tribe, installed priests divisions Levites groups in service to God, Moses writings
19-22) Passover: Levites slaughtered Passover Lamb for all exiles, separated selves from neighbors to seek the Lord, 7 days joy Festival Unleavened Bread
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