Passage
Ezra 1:1-2:70 (ESV)
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
Acts 8:26-40
Key Verse: 8:35
The Time of Exile Ends
Date: Sep. 21, 2019
Daily Bread
Introduction to Ezra
Key Verse: 1:2
1. The order to return and build the temple (1:1-11)
After the Israelites had suffered as aliens for 70 years of exile, Cyrus king of Persia ordered them to return to their homeland. Not only that, he commanded the temple to be rebuilt, gave back all the gold and silver articles from the temple, and made sure the exiles were well provided for on their return journey. Cyrus acknowledged that the Lord was the God of heaven who had made him king. He fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah exactly. God can use anyone to fulfill his promise at any time.
2. The families of Israel (2:1-70)
The exiles who returned needed their family records so they could reclaim their ancestral lands and participate in the temple worship. Most of them had faithfully kept those records throughout the time of exile. Doing so was an expression of their faith in God's promise of restoration. We also need to hold on to our identity as God's people during our spiritual exile in this fallen world.
Prayer: Prayer: Lord, help me not to give up on your promise, because you have power to fulfill it at any moment. Help me keep my spiritual identity while I am exiled in this world.
One Word: Keep faith in God's restoration
