Three different times a group of Jews left Babylon for the long journey back home, to Jerusalem and its environs. According to the Old Testament Books of Ezra and Nehemiah, anyway. I wondered earlier this morning if I could ascertain some facts … [Continue reading]
The Biblical Book of Ezra, as one might expect, is arranged systematically. That's likely because its author (whom the Holy Spirit inspired to write its chapters) was trained in logic and systematic thought. In Luke's New Testament Books (the … [Continue reading]
I knew it, having read Ezra a few times, in preparation for this series of lessons. But it had not "clicked" in my mind until earlier this week! Ezra chapter 1 tells of King Cyrus (being "stirred up" to do so by the Lord) signed a decree … [Continue reading]
Yes, this morning we go back to Ezra's first verse, but with an entirely different emphasis than yesterday. "Now 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 … [Continue reading]
Ezra 1:1 simply informs us of the actions of a King, a lost (heathen) King at that! "Now 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 … [Continue reading]