Lesson 1

The Church of St. John the Divine

Lesson 1

September 23, 2021 • Meg Rice

The book of Ezra is a historical account of the return of the Jews from captivity in Babylon which
had taken place 70 years prior to the events in this book. It can also be viewed as a lesson in how
God moves to restore His people who have fallen away. If you read through the accounts of 1 and 2
Chronicles, you see a pattern emerging in the history of the Jewish people. The Jews were settled in
the Promised Land but over time would become complacent and turn to idolatry and other pagan
practices while forgetting the God of Abraham. Then hardships would happen, and they would plead
to God for restoration. God would restore them because of his mercy and promises to Abraham. Then
again, the Jews would become complacent. This yoyo syndrome came to an end with the conquering
of the Hebrews by the Assyrians and then by the Babylonians.

Lesson 9

November 18, 2021 • Meg Rice

It would be lovely to say that after the glory of the rededication of Jerusalem, they all lived happily ever after. Sadly, that was not the case. It seems that Nehemiah left for a period to return to Susa and his duties there. Chapter 13 is what he found when he finally returned to Jerusalem.

Lesson 8

November 11, 2021 • Meg Rice

We are coming to the end of Nehemiah. The city of Jerusalem that was deserted and a ghost town for 70 years was reestablished, and the Temple was rebuilt. This is a picture of our being brought back to a new relationship with Jesus Christ, the reigniting of our faith. Time passed for the ancient Hebrews, and they failed to put up the defensive wall to secure their sacred city. Enter Nehemiah who by God’s sovereignty and his faithfulness rebuilt the walls to fortify the city of God. This represents our putting up defenses to combat those worldly attitudes and stumbling blocks. These attitudes can keep us from God’s best in our lives. Now the wall is complete but there is a problem.

Lesson 7

November 4, 2021 • Meg Rice

The Hebrews of the restored Jerusalem had just completed celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles where they commemorated God’s provision of freeing them from slavery in Egypt and providing for them in their wilderness journey. They remembered and praised God and lived in community. This can equate to our being freed from the slavery of sin and God providing for us when we wandered from Him. During this time, the people were soaked in the Word of God. Chapter 9 marks the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur.