Lesson 322: Ezra 1:3
Ezra 1:3
The Blueprint — The Verse
Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them.
Memorization Practice
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The Context — The History
Cyrus of Persia conquered Babylon and allowed exiled peoples to return home. Ezra opens with a royal decree permitting Jews to rebuild the temple, marking the first wave of return under Sheshbazzar and Zerubbabel around the mid-sixth century BC.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
After decades in Babylon, Cyrus issued a proclamation that the Lord had appointed him to build a house in Jerusalem. He released vessels taken from the temple and invited any of God's people to go up and rebuild, with prayer that their God would be with them.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
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Ezra 1:2
2“This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:“ ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah.
Read the verse immediately before this lesson (Ezra 1:2) to hear the lead-in to the passage.
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Ezra 1:4
4And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.’ ”
Read the verse immediately after this lesson (Ezra 1:4) to continue the passage.
Discussion
- How does political freedom sometimes serve God's redemptive plans?
- What does returning to rebuild worship require after exile?
- Who around you needs encouragement to participate in restoring faith community?