Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
1:2 “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."
Sounds very spiritual but the evidences suggests that Cyrus was keen to appease all gods.
This verse also suggests Cyrus knew about the prophesies about himself: Isaiah 44:28-45:4,13.
1:2 “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."
Sounds very spiritual but the evidences suggests that Cyrus was keen to appease all gods.
This verse also suggests Cyrus knew about the prophesies about himself: Isaiah 44:28-45:4,13.
2:69 According to their ability they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 darics[b] of gold, 5,000 minas[c] of silver and 100 priestly garments.
These people have prospered in the seventy years in Babylon and were now able to give generously.
God blesses us in order that we will be a blessing to others.
2:69 According to their ability they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 darics[b] of gold, 5,000 minas[c] of silver and 100 priestly garments.
These people have prospered in the seventy years in Babylon and were now able to give generously.
God blesses us in order that we will be a blessing to others.
3:3 Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening sacrifices.
In spite of fear they pressed on to worship the Lord.
Likewise in times of fear we can also press on.
3:3 Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening sacrifices.
In spite of fear they pressed on to worship the Lord.
Likewise in times of fear we can also press on.
4:1 When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel
These people are immediately identified as "enemies". They said, "we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here" (v.2).
Yet they did not worship the Lord exclusively. If the returning exiles had let these people help them they would have had some claim to the temple and used it to worship other gods. These people eventually became Samaritans.
Interesting once they weren't allow to help they become discouraging which points to them having mixed motives.
4:1 When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel
These people are immediately identified as "enemies". They said, "we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here" (v.2).
Yet they did not worship the Lord exclusively. If the returning exiles had let these people help them they would have had some claim to the temple and used it to worship other gods. These people eventually became Samaritans.
Interesting once they weren't allow to help they become discouraging which points to them having mixed motives.
5:2 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jozadak set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.
The prophets were there supporting them. There was no mention of them when they started the first time and discouragement took over.
Christians need the support of other Christians to do God's work. It is so hard to do it alone.
5:2 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jozadak set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.
The prophets were there supporting them. There was no mention of them when they started the first time and discouragement took over.
Christians need the support of other Christians to do God's work. It is so hard to do it alone.