“The Story” – Chapter 19: The Return Home - February 16, 2014
Zion Lutheran Church and School
Bible References: Ezra 1-6, Haggai 1-2, Zechariah 1, 8
Key Points
 God uses even the heathen – where necessary – to accomplish His purposes.
 God’s people should not expect to be free from opposition when going about His
business. God promises to be with us, not to remove every obstacle.
 God’s steadfast love and promises should never be doubted.
Chapter Summary
1. The chapter begins with the people of Judah still in exile but a new powerhouse and king
are now over them; King Cyrus of Persia. (Persia having overthrown Babylon.)
2. Cyrus decreed that, “(God) has appointed me to build a temple for Him at Jerusalem”. To
accomplish this he allows anyone who wishes to do so to return to Judah.
 Many, but not all, Israelites take him up on the offer. Why not all of them? Many
Israelites had settled in quite well in exile and chose to remain.
 Cyrus also returned the “5,400 articles of gold and silver” taken from the temple.
3. Zerubbabel – an Israelite - was designated as governor and Joshua was high priest.
4. At Jerusalem the Israelites began rebuilding the altar and laying the foundation for the
temple.
5. Unfortunately, Judah’s neighbors were not happy with the return of God’s Chosen to Judah
and, at first offered to “help”. After being turned down, they began making trouble by
doing things to “make them afraid to go on building”.
6. The troublemaking worked in that the Israelites became weary of the fighting/resistance,
first slowing down then stopping work on the temple altogether. The people went to work
building their own homes instead.
7. God sent the prophet Haggai to say, “Is it a time for yourselves to be living in your paneled
houses, while this house (the temple) remains a ruin?”To further get their attention, God
caused a drought which moved the people to return to work on the temple.
8. While Haggai’s ministry was going on, God raised another prophet, Zechariah. Both
Zechariah and Haggai not only encourage the rebuilding of the temple but also provide
hope of a coming Savior.
9. God vowed through Zechariah that, “I will not deal with the remnant of this people as I have
in the past”. And, things really are different now with the return from exile. However, God’s
plan to bring a Savior has not changed at all.
10. Unfortunately, the troublemakers in the region renewed their efforts now that building had
resumed and sent a letter to King Darius – the new king of Persia – asking who authorized
the rebuilding of the temple?
 Long story short, Darius dug out the paperwork from Cyrus and, as punishment for
challenging the king, Darius said no one is to interfere with the temple rebuild and that,
if anyone defies his decree “a beam shall be pulled from their house and they are to be
impaled on it”. The Bible tells us that the “troublemakers” complied and “carried it (the
decree) out with diligence”.
11. The temple was completed and, though not as spectacular as Solomon’s, it gave the people
a spiritual home.
Additional Information and Comments
1. After their return from exile, but while still under Persia’s political control, God’s chosen
people make a transformation. As described in the booklet “The History of Israel”, prepared
by Pastor Meyer for a class he taught, “Israel’s transition from a nation to a law community
had been made. The distinguishing mark of a Jew would not be political nationality…but
adherence to the law of Moses. The great watershed in Israel’s history had been crossed”.
Discussion
1. Look up Jer. 25:12 and 29:10 - How did God fulfill His word spoken through Jeremiah? What
happened to king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon? (See p. 256-257 )
2. Look up Isa. 44:28 - Isaiah died around 681 BC and the Israelites began returning to Judah
in 538 BC. This means that about 150 years elapsed between Isaiah’s prophecy and Cyrus’
edict. What does this teach us about God? [Note from Bruce: I can’t find the exact number
of years so if anyone knows it please pass it along and I’ll update this.]
3. Why do you think many of the exiles chose to stay in Babylon instead of returning home to
the Promised Land?
 How do you suppose God viewed that choice?
4. How did the temple builders and worshipers regard the Law of Moses (last paragraph on p.
264 through midway of 265)? Compare their view of the Law to the Israelites’ attitude
before the exile.
5. What roadblocks did God’s people encounter in rebuilding the temple?
 Why do you think Judah’s neighbors were concerned with the temple rebuilding?
 What types of opposition might modern Christians expect to encounter while
attempting to accomplish God’s will?
6. When the temple was re-established, some were overjoyed and some were heart-broken.
Many churches go through periods of growth, reconstruction and challenge.
 How should we respond when mixed feelings pull us in opposite directions?
7. What did God promise the people if they would move forward with His work (spread over p.
267-268)? How does this bring you hope and inspiration to walk in obedience to God’s
leading?
8. Zechariah’s message claimed that people from other nations would be attracted to the
religion and the God of the Jews (bottom p. 269-270).
 What was to be the basis for this attraction?
 In what ways should our church be attractive to outsiders?
9. With Zechariah’s encouragement, the people completed the task God gave them. Can you
think of anyone who is in need of encouragement? How can you encourage them?
For Next Week
1. The people’s priorities became out of order when they quit building the temple and instead
worked on their own houses. Throughout the week, consider what your priorities in life are
and whether or not they match God’s priorities for your life.