Session 202: Ezra-Nehemiah - “What’s Your ‘Mission From God?"

“Don’t Marry Outside The Faith” and “What’s Your ‘Mission From God?’” (The Rebuilding The Temple and Jerusalem’s Walls.)

Ezra and Nehemiah are thought to have been written by the same author/authors as 1,2 Chronicles.  These 2 books are about the return to Jerusalem from Babylon by the exiled Jews.  The return began in 538BC and continued in stages. The new Temple was rebuilt by Zerubbabel over 22 years, finished in 515BC. (Ezra 6:15.)The walls around the city were rebuilt under Nehemiah’s guidance in 432BC.

With each of these 2 projects, our heroes experienced opposition, but they knew they were on a mission from God.  (Nehemiah 2:20) God has given each of us a specific mission.  What is yours??  If you don’t know, spend some time in prayer. (Your basic mission is to “know, love, and serve God......” but the specifics will be revealed to you as you seek to deepen your relationship with God.)

Ezra 4  Zarubbabel refused help from the Samaritans, which not only caused a huge delay in the Temple construction, but he also missed out on an evangelism opportunity.  Volunteer opportunities are a chance to make friends and plant a seed for Christ’s kingdom!

Once settled, one of  Ezra’s primary messages was to not intermarry outside the Faith.  (Nehemiah 13:26-27 and others.)  We need partners that will help us get to heaven, and that we can help get to heaven. Married life is challenging enough without different faiths dividing partners.