Jeremy Thomas – Teacher

1. Introduction: The Journey and the Big Picture
   1. Personal illustration of a journey (son’s travel to Romania)
   2. Parallel: Zooming out for perspective in Bible study
   3. Purpose of previous weeks: Seeing God’s faithfulness and covenant
2. Transition: Zooming In—From Overview to Detail
   1. Moving from broad biblical themes to the specifics of Ezra
   2. Opening Ezra: God uses both kings and commoners
3. Ezra 1: God Rules the Rulers
   1. Cyrus’ Proclamation and Divine Fulfillment
      1. Cyrus issues decree for Jews’ return (538 BC)
      2. God’s sovereignty: “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord”
   2. Historical Background and Contrast
      1. Assyrian policy: cruelty and dispersion (722 BC)
      2. Babylonian policy: deportation and assimilation (605 BC)
      3. Persian approach: restoration under Cyrus as a liberator
   3. Motivations behind Cyrus’ Actions
      1. Political strategy and religious diplomacy
      2. Cyrus as “liberator” for imperial advantage
      3. Pagan king’s motives vs. God’s ultimate purpose
   4. Theological Reflection
      1. Human reasons and divine agency (God and Cyrus both at work)
      2. Example: Who brought Hebrews into/brought them back from exile? (Nebuchadnezzar/Cyrus vs. God)
      3. Divine sovereignty and human responsibility coexist
   5. Fulfillment of Prophecy
      1. Isaiah’s prophecy of Cyrus (150 years prior)
      2. Cyrus named as God’s “shepherd” and “anointed”
      3. God’s plan: restoring Jerusalem’s temple and city
4. Ezra 2: God Knows the Unknown
   1. God Stirs Commoners and Leaders
      1. Not just kings: Judah, Benjamin, priests, Levites, and others are moved
      2. Obedience to God’s movement—practical implications
   2. Discerning God’s Will
      1. Trusting God’s ability to reveal His will over personal discernment skills
      2. Learning God’s will through Scripture and godly counsel
   3. The List of Returnees and Temple Artifacts
      1. Importance and meaning of the long list in Ezra 2
      2. Restoration of vessels: God’s attention to detail and restoration of worship
      3. Representative counts, not exhaustive lists—lesson in trusting God’s knowledge
5. Personal Application and Closing Illustration
   1. Following God’s Stirring: A Personal Story
      1. Speaker’s journey to seminary in Minnesota
      2. Letting God move one’s heart toward worship and service
   2. Becoming “Temple Builders” Today
      1. Restoring the worship of God in personal life, marriage, family, and community
      2. Letting God zoom out and zoom in on our lives for perspective and direction
   3. Final Encouragement and Prayer
      1. Asking God to show where we truly are and where He wants to lead us
      2. Being faithful, willing, and moved to serve God’s purpose