Route 66 Understanding Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther

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Route 66 Understanding Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther Dr. Stephen Rummage, Senior Pastor Bell Shoals Baptist Church April 20, 2016

Ezra 1:1 (ESV) In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: Ezra 1:2 (ESV) “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has charged me to build Him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Ezra 1:3 (ESV) Whoever is among you of all His people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—He is the God who is in Jerusalem. Ezra 1:4 (ESV) And let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.” Structure of Esther 1. God’s People are Threatened (Esther 1:1-4:17) 2. God’s People are Triumphant (Esther 5:1-10:3) Structure of Ezra 1. God’s Temple Restored Under Zerubbabel (Ezra 1-6) 2. God’s People Renewed Under Ezra (Ezra 7-10) Structure of Nehemiah 1. Physical Work: Building Up the Walls (Nehemiah 1-6) 2. Spiritual Work: Bringing Back the People (Nehemiah 7-13) Secrets of Spiritual Success Ezra 7:1-10 Ezra 7:1 (ESV) Now after this, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah, Ezra 7:2 (ESV) son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub,

Ezra 7:3 (ESV) son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth, Ezra 7:4 (ESV) son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki, Ezra 7:5 (ESV) son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest— Ezra 7:6 (ESV) this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him. Ezra 7:7 (ESV) And there went up also to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king, some of the people of Israel, and some of the priests and Levites, the singers and gatekeepers, and the temple servants. Ezra 7:8 (ESV) And Ezra came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. Ezra 7:9 (ESV) For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was on him. Ezra 7:10 (ESV) For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach His statutes and rules in Israel. Ezra 7:9 (ESV) For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was on him. Ezra 8:18 (ESV) And by the good hand of our God on us, they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli the son of Levi, son of Israel, namely Sherebiah with his sons and kinsmen, 18; Ezra 8:22 (ESV) For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek Him, and the power of His wrath is against all who forsake Him.” Ezra 8:31 (ESV) Then we departed from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambushes by the way. Ezra 7:28 (ESV) … I took courage, for the hand of the Lord my God was on me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me. 1. A Heart Devoted to Know God’s Word

Ezra 7:10 (ESV) For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord … Romans 10:17 (ESV) So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. 2. A Heart Devoted to Obey God’s Word Ezra 7:10 (ESV) For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it … James 1:22 (ESV) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:23 (ESV) For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. James 1:24 (ESV) For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. James 1:25 (ESV) But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. 3. A Heart Devoted to Teach God’s Word Ezra 7:10 (ESV) For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach His statutes and rules in Israel. Matthew 28:18 (ESV) And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Matthew 28:19 (ESV) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:20 (ESV) teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”