WINNERS AND LOSERS (The Book of Ezra)

LESSON 58 

INTRODUCTION

We will open the New Year by continuing our study of Old Testament winners and losers. We are studying God's dealings with individuals and nations during Old Testament days as we learn by examples (1 Corinthians 10:6, 11) how we should live today. 

There are Christians who say, "If it's not in the New Testament, I don't take it seriously" (as if God made two Bibles, one for Christians today and the former for ancient Israel). That opens the door to Satan's trap; that of failing to heed the examples God has allowed to be recorded in the first two-thirds of His Book. Obviously, when Jesus said, "Search the Scriptures" and Paul said "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable..." they were referring to the Hebrew Scriptures—what Christians call the "Old Testament." 

We now look at key examples—from Ezra—of people and events that offer us lessons for today. Take time to look up each verse and ask the Holy Spirit to open your mind and heart so you can apply each lesson to your life.  If you have missed any previous lessons from Genesis through 2 Chronicles, you can find them in the archives—lessons 19-23 Genesis through Deuteronomy; lessons 37-40 Joshua through 2 Samuel; and lessons 49-52 1 Kings through 2 Chronicles.

Let's now study the short but dynamic book of Ezra. 

EZRA 

A CALL TO DESTINY 

1:1- 3          Example of a Gentile's call to destiny.

3:1- 4          Jeshua and Zerubbabel—examples of walking in the fear of God.

6:7-12          Example—Darius, a pagan king, discovers the healthy fear of God. (Also                                       King Artaxerxes in 7:12, 13, 18, 23-26).

PREPARE YOURSELF 

7:6, 10, 18     Ezra—an example of spiritual preparation and integrity before believers and                       unbelievers alike.

8:21- 23         Ezra—an example of a fearless faith.

9: (all)            Ezra—an example of uncompromising righteousness (also 10:4, 10-12).