A theater for God’s glory (example The Patriot) We are all supporting actors, but God is the main One who gets the glory. Let’s not get really caught up into our roles in the play, we are important, yet never as important as Christ.

Ezra- the main theme is to remain faithful to God in worship to Him. The reason they are rebuilding the temple.

Timeline:

-Out of Egypt in 1146 BC and into Canaan 40 years later, 1106 BC

-David reigned around 1000 BC

-The northern kingdom of Israel was destroyed in 721 BC

-The temple was destroyed and the exile happened from a course of 605 to 586 BC

-Jeremiah prophesied that they would be in exile in Babylon for 70 years (Jer 25:12; 29:10).

-Temple was started being rebuilt in 537 BC- 68 years after exile. The temple wasn’t complete until 516 BC.

God Controls the King vv.1-4

Proverbs 21:1 “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.”

Do not think that political and world affairs reign and ruin God’s sovereign plan. God is setting the stage for His glory!

Let’s compare Isaiah 44:28 “who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose’; saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’”   to Ezra 1:2

Let’s compare Jeremiah 16:15 “but ‘As the Lord lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where he had driven them.’ For I will bring them back to their own land that I gave to their fathers.”  to Ezra 1:3

God Causes a Way vv.5-11.

He makes a way when there is no way. He changed the king’s mind, He provided the means to fund the rebuilding of the temple. Don’t ever say or think that God can’t! If you do, He’ll prove you wrong every time.

Isaiah 43:16-19 “Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

God Charts a Course v.2:1

So they march to Jerusalem! God keeps His promises then, now, and forever. We can trust Him!

Job 13:27 “You put my feet in the stocks and watch all my paths; you set a limit for the soles of my feet.”

Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”