Bible 600

Captivity and Restoration

Three major prophets of the OT

Jeremiah
HistoryJeremiah saw the destruction of Jerusalem & the Babylonian
Captivity.
Ministryfaithfully proclaimed the Word of the Lord for 23 years. He was the
last prophet of Judah.
Ezekiel
Historyborn in Judah probably during the reign of Josiah. With the Assyrian
Captivity & the fall of Judah, the nation of Israel ceased to exist.
MinistryEzekiel was called to his prophetic ministry in the fifth year of his
captivity. He pointed out the idolatry of the people.
Daniel
HistoryDaniel, Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego were taken captive to
Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. They were appointed to a three-year training period
for service in the Kings court. Eventually, Daniel was made ruler over the whole
province of Babylon.
MinistryInterpreted King Nebuchadnezzars dream; interpreted Belshazzars
writing on the wall that foretold of the fall of the empire & the end of Belshazzars
reign that night. Daniel was thrown into the lions den for worshipping God.
The First Return from Exile
Ezrathe 10th book of the 12 OT books of history
The decree of Cyrus (king of Persia)declared that God gave him all
the kingdooms of the earth & had commissioned him to build the Lord a house in
Jerusalem; gave permission for the captive people to return & rebuild the Temple.
The return under Zerubbabelthe leader of the first return of the
captive people to Palestine
The rebuilding of the templeThe people reconstructed the altar &
began preparation for laying the foundation. Soon, enemies of Israel persuaded
King Artaxerxes to stop work on the Temple. Work was begun on the Temple again
in the 2nd year of Darius, at the word by his prophet, Haggai. Having searched the
records & found the decree of Cyrus granting the return of the captives & the

building of the Temple, King Darius of Persia order the end of opposition to the
Temple construction & support for the Jews from the kings treasury/possessions.
With the assistance of King Darius and the ministries of the prophets Haggai &
Zechariah, construction was complete in the 9 th year of Darius. They appointed
priests & Levites (following the Law of Moses) for Temple service & observed the
Passover.
Jews Preservation/Second Return from Exile
EstherMordecais niece, a Jewish girl among the maidens brought to the
kings palace; God used Esther to protect His people.
The Jews threatenedHaman persuaded King Ahasuerus to decree the
destruction of the Jews. Esther went to talk to the king on their behalf. The king
then had Haman hanged. The threat against the Jews was removed.
The return under EzraEzra was a descendant of Aaron; came from a
long line of priests; the hand of the Lord was upon him. King Artaxerxes granted
Ezra (& some volunteers) permission to go to Jerusalem. The king gave him
authority to serve as priest & gave him generous support for his mission & ministry.
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the las of the Lordand to teach in Israel
statutes and judgement. (Ezra 7:10)
The reforms in JerusalemWhen Ezra arrived in Jerusalem, he learned
that the people were breaking Gods law by marring non-Jews who did not love the
Lord & worshipped false gods.
The Third Return from Exile (about 40 years after the revival & reform under
Ezra, serious problems had developed there again)
Nehemiahthe kings cupbearer
The return under NehemiahNehemiah asked King Artaxerxes to let
him go to Jerusalem to help with the problems. The king sent soldiers & horseman
with him.
The rebuilding of the wallsBecause the work was blessed by God, the
walls were completed in 52 days.
Revival and reformFor 7 days, the people gathered to hear the Law
read by Ezra.
Conviction of sin confession & turning from sin=true
repentance!
People agree to keep the Law by signing & sealing a covenant.
The Prophets of the Restoration

Three minor prophets

Haggaithe earliest prophet of the Restoration period

History16 years passed between the laying of the temple foundation
& the continuation of the work under the influence of Haggai.
Ministrydirectly related to the Temple & its place in the lives of Gods
people.
Rebuild temple/reestablish relationship with God God would dwell among them &
pour out His blessings.
Bookcontains 4 messages. (listed in video)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Zechariahlike Haggai, Zechariah was used to strengthen & encourage Israel
in the work of rebuilding the Temple. He instilled hope within the people of Israel.
Historyfrom a family of priests who were among the exiles who
returned with Zerubbabel. He began his ministry about 2 months later than Haggai.
Ministrymajor objective was the rebuilding of the Temple. Also
concerned with the future of the people & the coming Messianic kingdom.
Bookoutlines Gods dealings with His people through the times of the
Gentiles to the deliverance by the Savior.
*Messianic prophecies & NT references
1. the coming king
2. the thirty pieces of silver
3. the pierced Savior
4. the smitten Shepherd
Malachithe last prophet of the Restoration period.
Historyprobably ministered after the Exile, possibly during the time
of Nehemiah (around 400 B.C)
Ministrydirected toward correcting these errors: priests had become
indifferent, people were neglecting their tithes, people were marrying non-Jews, the
Sabbath was not being kept.
Booklast book of the OT. Confirmed Gods love of Israel. (6 other
things addressed in the video.)
REVIEW--The Old Testament Reviewed

REVIEW--The Kingdom of Israel