Listen to our bonus season

the study of EZRA

OLD TESTAMENT

IN THIS EPISODE

• Who we are | 1:44
• Ezra 1:1 | Who is King Cyrus? What is happening? | 3:50
• Ezra 1:2-4 | God moves the heart of the most powerful man in the world | 12:14
• Ezra 1:5-6 | Israel loots and plunders the Babylonians | 21:25
• Ezra 1:7-11 | Cyrus returns a bunch of Temple stuff | 27:51
• Takeaways. God is faithful. This is your history. | 33:59

INSTANT TAKEAWAYS

1 | God is Working

Even while punishing Israel for their disobedience, God was already working out his plan to forgive and restore them. Even when hope seemed lost, God was not idle. He never stops working on behalf of his people. What is he doing in your life right now?

2 | God is Control

God moves the heart of the most powerful man in the world to accomplish his own will. We can take heart knowing that God is in control even when those in power do not believe in him. Proverbs 21:1 says “in the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.” The authority of God in the hearts of men cannot be overthrown or circumvented. He has a ruler, a king, a president’s heart in his hand. We can trust that God is in control of our circumstances and continue to worship him.

3 | This is Your History

If you have put your faith in Jesus Christ, you are part of the people of God. The book of Ezra is now your family history. What can you learn from the history of the people of God?

SHOW NOTES

After years of living in exile in Babylon, a prophecy from decades before is finally coming to pass. God has begun to fulfill his promise to restore the nation, land, and temple to Israel. Matt and Neil dive into the first chapter of Ezra. It’s nations conquering nations, and God is working behind it all. Did you know God used Cyrus the Great and the Medo-Persian empire to work out his own purposes in the world? Why is Israel living in exile? Who is Cyrus King of Persia and why is he important? Can we trust God’s promises?