BACKGROUND NOTES:
The first king mentioned in Ezra is Cyrus (559-529 B. C.; 15 times). The Jews had been exiles in Babylon since 598-586 B. C. But Cyrus allowed them to return.
Memorize 4:1-2. If you don’t memorize the text, read it every day this week.
ADULTS:
How does the author of the text let us know immediately that these men are not interested in the welfare of Israel?
Why did Zerubbabel reject the offer? What do Christians have in common with each other?
Jesus warned us that we will be persecuted (John 16:33). What battles will the church have to fight in the years ahead?
TEENS:
To whom do the enemies go with their request?
When the enemies refer to “your” God (rather than “our” God), what does that indicate about their motivation?
Is it true that Christians have to refuse having fellowship with some people (see Hebrews 13:10)?
YOUTH:
What had the enemies been doing since the days of Esarhaddon, king of Assyria? Can they be trusted? Why or why not?
What is the goal of the Israelites in the days of Ezra?
Draw a picture of Israel’s enemies threatening them:
Paul Holland
