Week 2: Restoration of the Temple

Week 2: Ezra 5-7

Objective: 

• Restoration of the Temple Resumed

• The Decree of Darius

• The Temple Completed and Dedicated

• The Passover Celebrated

• The Arrival of Ezra

• The Letter of Artaxerxes to Ezra

Resources:

• Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary
• Catena Bible Commentary
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible study (Arabic)

Reading:

• • Ezra 5: All
    
  • Ezra 6: All
  • Ezra 7: All

Key verse(s):

“And may the God who causes His name to dwell there destroy any king or people who put their hand to alter it, or to destroy this house of God which is in Jerusalem. I Darius issue a decree; let it be done diligently.” Ezra 6:12

Comments:

• After people tried to stop the restoration by sending the king a letter, he issued a decree that the rebuilding would resume. 
• King Darius issued a decree to declare that this was an official matter and no one was allowed to stop it. God is giving His people grace in the eyes of the rulers.
• The Temple was completed and Passover was celebrated as early signs of returning back to normal and original life.
• Chapter 7 mentions Ezra for the first time. He will lead the second wave of captives back to Jerusalem to rectify and improve their spiritual status.

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

1. “But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews.” Explain.
2. To whom did Haggai and Zechariah prophesy?
3. How did God punish His people when they provoked Him?
4. Where did the expenses for building the House of God come from?
5. The Passover lambs were slaughtered for whom?
6. What was Ezra set to do?
7. What kinds of punishments were set for those who would not observe the law of God and the king?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

1. The governor wrote a letter to:
   a) Shethar-Boznai b) Darius c) the Israelites
2. Who issued the first decree to build the temple?
   a) Darius b) Cyrus c) Sheshbazzar d) Ezra
3. The decree of Darius was concerning:
   a) building the House of the Lord b) keeping the Passover c) paying taxes d) going to Jerusalem
4. At the dedication of the House of God the priests:
   a) sang b) danced c) offered sacrifices
5. Ezra was a priest and a scribe. True or false?
6. What was Ezra to buy with the money he recieves?
   a) bulls b) rams c) lambs d) all of these