Welcome

1. Adult II Couples Class Welcome discoverjoy.com

2. What is in the trunk of your car right now? Adult II Couples Class Question of the day discoverjoy.com

3. Prayer Requests -Tony: Cancer treatments -Cathy Laster: Cancer treatments -Abraham Garcia: Cancer treatments -William Stephenson: Biopsy -The Savages -Country Haven Church -Rebekah Heup -Global Missions Offering

4. Church Stuff Class Events Church Events • Benevolence Fund • R.E.A.P. (A-Team) • Scripture Readers Needed • Monthly Fellowships • September?? • October?? • November?? • Dinner out Friday (28 Sept) • 5th Sunday Breakfast (30 Sept) • Quarterly Service Project • Samaria Project: Servant Care Ministries? • Youth SNAC (16 Sept) • Children’s Wacky Night (19 Sept) • Men’s Camp Out (21-22 Sept) • Olive Grove Terrace Visitation (23 Sept) • Crochet Classes (29 Sept) • Men’s Prayer Breakfast (6 Oct) • Sunday School Teacher Luncheon (7 Oct) • Youth Crazy Night (10 Oct) • Women’s Fall Retreat (12-13 Oct) • Men’s Golf Scramble (20 Oct)

5. What is in the trunk of your car right now? Adult II Couples Class Question of the day discoverjoy.com

6. Something Useful to keep in your Trunk

7. Chronological Bible Discipleship Iva May and Dr. Stan May week thirty-seven Esther/Ezra/Haggai/Zechariah

8. Context • God introduces Abram to His redemptive plan when He promises him a son, a nation and a land • After decades of wandering all Abram possessed was a burial place for his wife, Sarah • His grandson Jacob moves the entire family to Egypt to find relief from a famine • They thrive and multiply • They are eventually enslaved by a cruel Pharaoh • 400 years later, Moses leads the nation out of Egypt • The LORD organizes them by tribes • Gives them the Law and establishes a covenant with them • Joshua leads Israel to possess Canaan, the land of promise • They reside in Canaan through the Judges Era, Kingdom Era and the Divided Kingdom Era

9. Captivity Era • A succession of wicked kings leads the Northern Kingdom (Israel) into idolatry • Taken captive by Assyria in 722 B.C. • They are scattered and cease to exist • 136 years later, Babylon invades to destroy Jerusalem and the temple • All of Judah is taken into captivity • 4,600 Jews survive intact in Babylon • During the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, Jeremiah prophesies that Judah’s captivity would last for seventy years and after that time, God would bring them back to the land of promise

10. Overview • This lesson connects the prophecies of Isaiah with Judah’s political situation at the end of the 70 year captivity • Demonstrates God’s sovereignty over kings and political leaders

11. Key Truth • God works within the geo-political realm to fulfill His promises regarding Israel and the redemption of mankind.

12. Captivity Era Jeremiah 29 Isaiah 44 & 45 Ezra 1 & 6 The King of All Kings A Prophecy of Captivity and Hope A Promise of Restoration A Protection in Rebuilding

13. A Prophecy of Captivity and Hope Jeremiah 29:10

14. Prophecy of Captivity & Hope • Jeremiah Prophesies of Judah’s Seventy Years of Captivity to the Exiles in Babylon (10) • “After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you…” • Though they are captives in a foreign land, it is only for a time • “…and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to the place.” • The prophecies they had heard earlier (Jer 25) would be honored and they would be allowed to return to their homeland

15. A Promise of Restoration Isaiah 44:28-45:7

16. Promise of Restoration • Isaiah Prophesied of a Restored Judah • To provoke faith in the hearts of those who would endure the captivity • To assure Judah that God keeps His promises • Nearly 150 Years in Advance, he Foretells of King Cyrus’ Involvement in the Return of His People (28) • Isaiah’s prophecy occurs before Cyrus was even born • God revealed this detail to demonstrate His sovereignty in political affairs • Naming the king that would enable their return demonstrates His knowledge of events and control of governments

17. A Promise of Restoration Ezra 1:1-8

18. Promise of Restoration • God had Arranged for His Work to be done by a Pagan King (1-2) • During Cyrus’ first year the LORD moved him to action • “The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying: “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. ’”

19. Promise of Restoration • The LORD works in the Heart of a Pagan King, to Accomplish the Rebuilding of the Temple (3-8) • King Cyrus calls for volunteers to return to Jerusalem and work on the project • He calls for a giving campaign to fund the reconstruction • He orders the return of the temple articles confiscated by Nebuchadnezzar • This was God’s preservation of Israel’s holy treasures during the captivity

20. Discussion What political events can cause Christians to wonder if God is really in control? If we view the world of modern politics with a heart of fear, how might we be tempted to respond? How should we respond to our doubts about God’s sovereignty? How did the people in Jeremiah’s day respond?

21. A Protection in Rebuilding Ezra 6:1-12

22. Protection in Rebuilding • The LORD’s Word Extends to Prevent Israel’s Enemies from Interfering with the Rebuilding of the Temple • King Cyrus dies and King Darius takes his place • Israel’s enemies see this as an opportunity to disrupt the temple project • They request Darius verify the validity of the orders for rebuilding • Darius orders a Search of the Archives • He confirms Cyrus’ proclamation in support of the Jews • Darius issues his own proclamation • Instructs Israel’s enemies to stop their harassment • Directs that their taxes be used to fund the project • Even though he is a pagan king, Darius invokes the name of God to protect Israel in their rebuilding effort

23. Discussion God used King Cyrus to decree that the temple be restored. When challenged, God’s intention was confirmed through King Artaxerxesseveral years later. What lesson should this teach us about God’s word and His work? How should believers respond to unfavorable governments or politicians?

24. Conclusions • God speaks of future events through His prophets so that when those times arrive His people will trust Him • God moves on the hearts of pagan rulers to accomplish His own purposes • “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns wherever He wishes.” (Pr 21:1) • The LORD works through three pagan kings: Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes to begin and finalize the rebuilding of His temple in Jerusalem.

25. Bible TRIViA QUIZ The Books of Zechariah & Esther(1pts) • In Zechariah’s oracle the shepherd’s covenant with the flock is broken. What did the shepherd receive as pay for his services? • “I said to them, “If it is good in your sight, give me my wages; but if not, never mind!” So they weighed out thirty shekels of silver as my wages. ” (Zechariah 11:12) • When the Lord comes back to fight the nations that will cap-ture Jerusalem, He will stand on and split which mountain? • “In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west...”(Ezra 3:12) • How was Esther (Hadassah) related to Mordecai? • “He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, his uncle’s daughter, for she had no father or mother.” (Ezra 4:1-2)

26. BONUS ROUND Bonus Questions (2pts) • How many days did Xerxes party and show off his wealth and power to all the nobles and officials of his kingdom? • “And he displayed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor of his great majesty for many days, 180 days.” (Esther 1:4) • How high was the gallows that Haman had constructed for the purpose of hanging Mordecai? • “Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, Have a gallows fifty cubits high made and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it…” (Esther 5:14)

27. Esther 2 & 6 King of Darkest Night Adult II Couples Class Next week….. discoverjoy.com