Search The Scriptures —Study 3 — Ezra 4

Study 3 From the Book of Ezra is: Ezra 4

1.      Is not co-operation with others in work for God most desirable? Why then did the Jews refuse to co-operate with those who claimed to share their faith and who offered to help them to achiever their great spiritual objective? Cf. 2 Ki. 17:24, 32, 33. See also Mt. 7:15; and contrast 3 Jn. 8 with 2 Jn. 11. 

2.      What was the reaction of the frustrated adversaries? Cf. Am. 7:10; Lk. 23:2; Acts 17:7 for similar incidents. What price did Zerubbabel and his fellow-Jews have to pay for their faithfulness? Do you know of any modern parallels? Note Eph. 6:18-20.

Notes

1.      Verses 1-3. ‘The proposal to unite in building the temple was a political move; for in old -world ideas, co-operation in temple-building was incorporation in national unity. The calculation, no doubt, was that if the returning exiles could be united with the much more numerous Samaritans, they would soon be absorbed in them’

2.      Verse 5. ‘Until the reign of Darius’: (cf. verse 24. It was a period of a bout sixteen years.)

3.      Verse 6:24. Ahasuerus and Artaxerxes are kings who succeeded Darius (cf.7:1). This indicates that these verses refer to a later period than do verses 1-5, and this is confirmed by the fact that the letters of verses 11-16 and 17-22 concern the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem, not of the Temple. Some think the passage belongs chronologically to the time between Ezr. 10 and Ne. 1.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 2 — Ezra 3

Study 2  From the Book of Ezra is: Ezra 3

1.     As background to verses 1-6, see Lv. 23:23-43. What were the motives and purposes in the hearts of the returned exiles at this time?

2.     In what further ways was the Lord put central in this settling down period? Consider what challenge this study presents to you personally.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 1 — Ezra 1 and 2

Study 1  From the Book of Ezra is: Ezra 1 and 2

1.     First, what definite acts of God can be seen in bringing about this return to Jerusalem? With 1:1, cf. Je 29:10. Then fill in the outline given here, by trying to imagine the feelings and actions of the people concerned. Note, e.g., 1:5, 6; 1:7-11; the links with specific ‘home towns’ and positions; the claims in 2:59-63; the scene in 2:64-67; the generosity and contentment of 2:68-70.

2.     In the light of these two chapters meditate on Jos. 23:14.

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Search The Scriptures —Study — Ezra & Nehemiah

Study   From the Book of Ezra & Nehemiah is: Ezra & Nehemiah

Introduction

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah continue the history of the Israelites from the point reached at the end of 2 Chronicles. The two books are closely linked together and cover between them a space of about one hundred years, from the first year of the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia (538 BC), to soon after the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes (432 BC). Other books of Scripture belonging to this period are Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi and Ester.

The events recorded in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah gather round three periods, as follows:

First Period (Ezr. 1-6, from the first return of exiles under Zerubbabel (or Sheshbazzar) and Jeshua the high priest (536 BC) to the completion of the Temple (515 BC).  It is to be noted that, thought these events are recorded in the book of Ezra, they occurred more than sixty years before Ezra himself appeared on the scene.

Second Period (Ezr. 7-10), describing the return of a second large company of exiles under Ezra, with some account of Ezra’s ministry in Jerusalem (458 BC).

Third Period (Ne. 1-13), describing the arrival of Nehemiah as governor (444 BC), and his building of the city walls, together with his joint activity with Ezra.

Ezra and Nehemiah were men raised up of God to render invaluable service at a critical time in Israel’s history. Ezra was a priest of house of Aaron, a man of outstanding piety, a diligent student and capable teacher of the law of God, and a zealous reformer. Nehemiah was a public servant and a true patriot, who devoted himself to the improvement of the moral and material condition of his country. He combined watchfulness with prayerfulness, and energetic activity with conscious dependence upon God. While both men rendered notable service, the work of Ezra was the more enduring, for he gave to the law of God a place of supreme authority in the life of the people.

Search The Scriptures —Study 1 — Philemon

Study 1 From the Book of Philemon is: Philemon

THIS IS THE ONLY STUDY OF THE BOOK OF PHILEMON

1.     What light does this letter throw upon Paul himself?  Is he putting into practice Col. 3:12-14? Consider closely the appeal he makes and the arguments by which he reinforces it.

2.     What happened to Onesimus (Whose name means ‘useful’ or ‘profitable’) to make him start living up to his name? Has acceptance of the Christian faith made us useful (a) to the person who led us to Christ; (b) to those who are our employers, or in a comparable position?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 0 — Philemon

Study 0 From the Book of Philemon is: The Introduction of the book of Philemon

Introduction

The epistle to Philemon contains no systematic presentation of doctrine. It has one avowed purpose—to ask Philemon to receive back a runaway slave who had been in his service and had absconded with his money.  The man had come into contact with Paul in Rome and had been converted and transformed into a new man. It was not easy for Paul to let him go; it was harder still for Onesimus to face his former master.  But it was hardest of all for Philemon to take him back.  These men were Christians, however, and that made all the difference. The letter is one of great charm, tact, graciousness and love, and provides and unforgettable picture of Christianity in action.  Though no place-names are mentioned, it is clear that the letter was written at the same time as that to the Colossians.

Search The Scriptures —Study 6 — Colossians 3:18 - 4:18

Study 6  From the Book of Colossians is: Colossians 3:18 - 4:18

With this lesson we end the short book of Colossians to jump to the book of Philemon

1.     3:18 – 4:1. Observe how, in giving directions about the life of a Christian household, Paul urges ‘upon each party its own duties and the other’s rights’. What overriding concerns should influence all alike, and why?

2.     4:2-6. List the activities here demanded as essential (a) to prayer, and (b) to our relations with non -Christians. In my own practice of Christian self-discipline, to which of these points do I need to give more attentions? Can I learn from verses 3, 4, 12, how to pray for others?

Note. 3: 21. “Provoke” : by excessive fault-finding and little or no praise.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 5 — Colossians 3:1-17

Study 5  From the Book of Colossians is: Colossians 3:1-17

1.     Verses 1:11. What results, (a) positive and (b) negative, should follow from being ‘raised with Christ’; in other words, what should the experience make us (a) do, and (b) stop doing?

2.     Verses 12-17. Make a list from these verses of the divinely intended characteristics of active Christian living; and prayerfully examine your own living in the light of these standards.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 4 — Colossians 2: 8-23

Study 4  From the Book of Colossians is: Colossians 2:8-23

1.     What four defects does Paul find in the false teaching (verse 8)? In what ways does he then set forth Christ as the one absolutely sufficient Saviour (verses 9:15)? List the treasures and the benefits which are ours in Him.

2.     Verses 16-23. It is quite clear that the false teachers stressed (a) the observance of holy days, (b) the worship of angels, and (c) ascetic practices. On what grounds does the apostle show all these to be mistaken, useless and hurtful as a means of salvation?

3.     Verses 11-15. How is he way in which Christians have been ‘circumcised’ from the rite practised by the Jews? By what ceremony has Jewish circumcision been replaced for Christians? How is its symbolism related to the death and resurrection of Christ? Cf. Rom. 6:1-14.

Note. Verses 11, 12. ‘By putting off the body of Flesh’: the false teachers advocated the rite of circumcision as a means of purification. Paul’s answer is that in the believer’s identification with Christ in His death and resurrection the whole body which has been governed by fleshly desires is put off, and a new man emerges. This far more than fulfills all that the rite of circumcision signified.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 3 — Colossians 1:24 – 2:7

Study 3  From the Book of Colossians is: Colossians 1:24 – 2:7

1.     In 1:24-29 what does Paul say about (a) his sufferings (cf. Acts 9: 15, 16); (b) his commission; (c) his theme, and (d) the method aim and inspiration of His ministry?

2.     2:1-7. What is essential if Christians are to stand firm in the faith and not be misled? How may they gain encouragement to continue and become more fully established? Do you (a) covet such progress for yourself (b) pray like this for others?

Notes

1.     1:28. The false teaching suggested that full participation in knowledge and consequent maturity was restricted to a select few. The gospel makes it possible ‘in Christ’ for all alike –for ‘every man’.

2.     1:29; 2:1. ‘Striving’: a metaphor from the Greek games a word used again in 4:12. It describes here earnest conflict, straining every nerve, in prayer.

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