Lesson 2

The Church of St. John the Divine

Lesson 2

September 30, 2021 • Meg Rice

The first wave of Jews had returned under Cyrus, King of Persia. He appointed Zerubbabel to lead
his people back to the Promised Land. They were successful in building the Temple, but it lacked
the splendor of the first temple built by King Solomon. However, the people of God were back in
Jerusalem and the surrounding countryside. Over time, the Jews lapsed back into the ways of the
world, intermarrying pagan women, and not continuing with the mission of reestablishing Jerusalem.
Ezra led one revival, but the people seemed to be unable to keep the covenant with God that they had
agreed upon.

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.