Ezra: A Time to BuildEzra: A Time to Buildhe has charged me to build him a house

in Jerusalem – Ezra 1:2

Ezra 1-6 Ezra 7-10

Physical building Spiritual building

Rebuilding the temple

Reforming the people

Ezra 1:1-4 Ezra 7:10

538 – 516 B.C. 458 – 457 B.C.

Ezra: A Time to BuildEzra: A Time to Build

Chapter Theme

Ezra 1-2 Return

Ezra 3-4 Rebuild

Ezra 5-6 Revive

Ezra 7-8 Replenish

Ezra 9-10 Reform

Ezra: A Time to BuildEzra: A Time to Build

Ezra 1-2: ReturnEzra 1-2: ReturnIt took a special kind of Jew with a heart

of sacrifice to return and build the temple (1:3,5-6; 2:68-69; see Psa. 137)

Do we have the sacrifice to leave a life of comfort and return to living in God’s kingdom (Lk. 9:23, 57-62; 13:23-24)?

Ezra 3-4: RebuildEzra 3-4: RebuildThese faithful Jews were concerned to

rebuild what was right (authorized) after they had failed miserably with what was wrong (3:1-5; comp. with 2 Chron. 36:14)

Do we have the courage, conviction, and commitment to return and rebuild what is authorized by God’s word (2 Tim. 1:13; Jude 3)? Will we do this in the face of opposition?

Ezra 5-6: ReviveEzra 5-6: ReviveThe Jews allowed themselves to be side-

tracked from their goal through opposition (4:24), wrong priorities (Haggai 1:4,9), and discouragement (Zech. 4:6-10); but they resumed through the preaching “revival” of Haggai and Zechariah (5:1-2; 6:14-15; see 9:9)

Do we need to resume our work because we have become side-tracked (1 Cor. 15:58; Gal. 6:9)? Do we have any zeal left to be stirred up (Heb. 10:25)? Do we respond to “revival” preaching (2 Tim. 4:2)?

Ezra 7-8: ReplenishEzra 7-8: ReplenishThe Jews who returned first would soon

need reinforcements; their resources, both physical and spiritual, would need replenishing – Ezra was the man for the job (7:6-10, 25-26; 8:35-36)

Do we need to replenish our own spiritual resources and that of the next generation? It takes (7:10)…◦A prepared heart (1 Sam. 7:3)◦Seeking God’s law (Prov. 2:4)◦Doing God’s law (Jn. 13:17; Jas. 1:22)◦Teaching God’s law (2 Tim. 1:5; 2:2; 3:15)

Ezra 9-10: ReformEzra 9-10: ReformSome of the Jews who returned did not

separate themselves (6:21); they inter-married against God’s will (9:1-2; see Ex. 34:12-17; Deut. 7:1-5); they needed reformation...◦Sorrow for sin (9:3-4, astonished)◦Praying for forgiveness (9:5-15, ashamed,

alarmed)◦Repentance (10:1-17)◦Remove guilt (10:18-44).

Do we need a “godly sorrow” reformation in our nation, in our home, in our life (2 Cor. 7:8-11)?

Chapter Theme

Ezra 1-2 Return

Ezra 3-4 Rebuild

Ezra 5-6 Revive

Ezra 7-8 Replenish

Ezra 9-10 Reform

Ezra: A Time to BuildEzra: A Time to Build