ISRAEL, Return From Exile
(Study 4-A)

Throughout the history of Israel, our Father has been attempting to establish a particular institution. From idolatry and apostasy He called one man, Abraham, to be the patriarch of a nation. These, the Chosen People, were to be mighty on the earth; not to be mighty for their own sake, not to be many and so conquer the world by force. Indeed, it was said to Israel, "Yahweh did not set His love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people." (Deu 7:7)

Israel was at it's highest point during the reign of king Solomon, with whom we visited in a previous study. The Temple was built, the nation was prosperous, and more importantly, ambassadors from the heathen nations were drawing near, wondering who this "Yahweh" was that could raise a people from obscurity to great glory. This was the plan, to establish an organization that would teach the world who God is.

But the earthly nation and kingdom failed at this. Seeing their election as a point of pride, they quickly fell into idolatry and national ruin, and for this they were driven into exile. Yahweh's promises cannot be set aside, however, and one way or another, this chosen nation would indeed fulfill its purpose.

QUESTIONS:
01) What did the prophet Daniel foresee as the fate of Babylon, Israel's captor? (Dan 2:1,36-39a)
02) How was this prophecy fulfilled? (Dan 5:1,30,31)
03) What did the new government allow the exiled nation to do? (Ezra 1:1-5)
04) Were all the Israelites willing to take up the task? (Est 2:5,6)
05) What two Israelites had key roles in this project? (Ezra 3:2,8; 5:2)
06) How did the people consecrate themselves to the work before even beginning to perform it? (Ezra 3:3-6)
07) What two prophets were also active to encourage the reconstruction? (Ezra 5:1)
08) Was their ministry successful, and why? (Ezra 6:14, 2Ch 20:20)
09) Who was particularly motivated to go and aid the returnees? (Ezra 7:1-6)
10) What qualified him for this office? (Ezra 7:9,10)
11) What was one of the major problems he confronted when arriving at Jerusalem? (Ezra 9:1,2)
12) How did he react to the problem? (Ezra 9:3-5)
13) How did the people propose to resolve the problem? (Ezra 10:3,4,10-12)
14) On what day was the solution both begun and completed? (Ezra 10:16,17, Num 10:10, Psa 81:3)
15) What other individual was sent to help with the rebuilding effort? (Neh 1:1-3, 2:11)
16) What three individuals tried to stop him from reconstructing the walls of Jerusalem? (Neh 2:19; 4:7,8)
17) How did he respond to their efforts? (Neh 2:20, 4:9,17,18)
18) What was read to the people when the labors were complete? (Neh 8:1,2)
19) What were the reactions of the people, and why? (Neh 8:8-12, 9:1-3)
20) What work of reform did the newly-elected governor (Neh 5:14) perform concerning the commandments? (Neh 13:15-22)