# Week 2: Restoration of the Temple

##### Week 2: Ezra 5-7

**Objective:**

- <span class="text Ezra-5-1" id="bkmrk-restoration-of-the-t">Restoration of the Temple Resumed</span>
- <span class="text Ezra-6-1" id="bkmrk-the-decree-of-darius">The Decree of Darius</span>
- <span class="text Ezra-6-13" id="bkmrk-the-temple-completed">The Temple Completed and Dedicated</span>
- <span class="text Ezra-6-19" id="bkmrk-the-passover-celebra">The Passover Celebrated</span>
- <span class="text Ezra-7-1" id="bkmrk-the-arrival-of-ezra">The Arrival of Ezra</span>
- <span class="text Ezra-7-11" id="bkmrk-the-letter-of-artaxe">The Letter of Artaxerxes to Ezra</span>

<span class="text 2Kgs-9-1" id="bkmrk-jehu-anointed-king-o"></span>

**Resources:**

- [Fr Tadros Y Malaty Commentary](https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21ALRKATJ3m3p1DJo&cid=67000DBCF3EF5901&id=67000DBCF3EF5901%21853&parId=67000DBCF3EF5901%21538&o=OneUp)
- [Catena Bible Commentary](https://catenabible.com/ezr/1)
- [Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible study (Arabic)](https://youtu.be/41Pryii1eAc?si=-2qoVlVpt5490js5)

**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.<span class="text Ezra-3-11">”</span> 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*

<div class="pointer-container" id="bkmrk-%C2%A0"><div class="pointer anim is-page-editable"><svg class="svg-icon" data-icon="link" role="presentation" viewbox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg><div class="input-group inline block"> <button class="button outline icon" data-clipboard-target="#pointer-url" title="Copy Link" type="button"><svg class="svg-icon" data-icon="copy" role="presentation" viewbox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg></button></div><svg class="svg-icon" data-icon="edit" role="presentation" viewbox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg></div></div>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