Sunday School Lesson
March 6 Lesson 1 (KJV)
FREED FROM CAPTIVITY
DEVOTIONAL READING: Ezra 1:1–8, 11; 2:64–70
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Ezra 1; 2:64–70
Ezra 1:1–8, 11
1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
3 Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.
4 And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
5 Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem.
6 And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.
7 Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;
8 Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
11 All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.
Ezra 2:64–70
64 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,
65 Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women.
66 Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;
67 Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
68 And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:
69 They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests’ garments.
70 So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.
KEY TEXT
Some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place. — Ezra 2:68
GOD FREES AND REDEEMS
Unit 1: Liberating Passover
LESSONS 1–4
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Recount the who, what, when, where, why, and how of Cyrus’s proclamation and its result.
2. Explain the significance of King Cyrus’s proclamation.
3. Write a prayer of thanks for release from a personal “captivity.”
HOW TO SAY IT
Babylon Bab-uh-lun.
Babylonian Bab-ih-low-nee-un.
Cyrus Sigh-russ.
Diaspora Dee-as-puh-ruh.
Marduk Mar-duke.
Mithredath Mith-re-dath.
Nebuchadnezzar Neb-yuh-kud-nez-er.
Nippur Nih-poor.
Sheshbazzar Shesh-baz-ar.
Introduction
A. Rebuilding a Home
Tornadoes ripping through rural Oklahoma communities. Fires engulfing whole buildings and homes in the Pacific Northwest. Storm surges flooding homes in the gulf coast of Louisiana. Behind these tragic events are the stories of whole communities that lost everything. When losses include family photos, treasured heirlooms, or even favorite toys, these disasters can hurt deeply and such losses might be irreplaceable! However, out of the ruins, memories remain and can provide a foundation for beginning the rebuilding.
The first chapters of Ezra tell the story of a grand reconstruction project for Israel. Older Israelites had vivid memories of their preexilic life (Ezra 3:12); however, memories alone would not complete the reconstruction project. Israel needed help from an unlikely source. Their memories, combined with unlikely assistance, set Israel on the path of following God’s requirement as they resettled their homeland.
B. Lesson Context
The text of Ezra tells the story of the Jewish people during the sixth and fifth centuries BC. In 586 BC, the Babylonian Empire, led by King Nebuchadnezzar, laid siege to Judah and destroyed Jerusalem (2 Kings 24:10–14; 25:1–10; 2 Chronicles 36:17; Jeremiah 52:4–5, 12–16). The siege’s culmination was the destruction of the Jewish temple and the removal of its treasures (2 Kings 24:13; 2 Chronicles 36:18–19; Jeremiah 52:13). The removal of the treasures and the people of Judah was prophesied by Isaiah (2 Kings 20:16–17). The Babylonians carried the people of Judah—with the exception of the poorest individuals—into captivity (24:14; 2 Chronicles 36:20; compare Deuteronomy 28:36).
However, Babylon’s rule was short-lived. In 539 BC, the Persian King Cyrus destroyed the Babylonian Empire. He solidified the Persian Empire’s dominance in a region that extended from modern-day Greece to modern-day India.
Cyrus demonstrated tolerance of the religious practices of his subjects. A notable decree in this regard was written on a clay cylinder and is known as the Cyrus Cylinder. This decree detailed Cyrus’s conquest of Babylon and the favor he sought from Marduk, the patron god of Babylon. The decree culminated with the command to repatriate exiled peoples and rebuild their houses of worship. Isaiah prophesied that Cyrus, commissioned by the Lord, would provide an opportunity for the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland (Isaiah 44:28).
Cyrus’s decree fulfilled a promise made earlier by the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:10, 14). However, the prophecy’s fulfillment did not necessitate the return of all exiles, only a “remnant” (Isaiah 10:22).
I. Persian Decree (EZRA 1:1–4)
A. The Author (v. 1)
1a. Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled.
That the decree was announced in the first year of the reign of Cyrus king of Persia indicates the year 538 BC. As the author of 2 Chronicles indicated, the results of Cyrus’s actions were foretold by the mouth of Jeremiah (2 Chronicles 36:22; see Lesson Context).
1b. The LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
While the proclamation came from Cyrus, it was only because the Lord anointed Cyrus as a tool for His will (see Isaiah 45:1, 13). Cyrus was just one of many rulers throughout history whom God stirred and used to work out His divine plan (2 Chronicles 36:22; see 1 Chronicles 5:26; 2 Chronicles 21:16; Jeremiah 51:11).
What Do You Think?
How do you recognize the Lord’s call to action?
Digging Deeper
What questions will you ask to test that you are hearing from the Lord? How might Romans 12:2 and 1 John 4:1 support your answer?
LONGING FOR HOME
In 1944 the Soviet government accused the Tatars, an ethnic minority located around the Black Sea in a region known as Crimea, of traitorous actions against the government. The Soviets ordered that the Tatars be removed from their homes and sent to distant regions of Asia. With little warning thousands of Tatars were detained and sent away from their homeland.
The surviving Tatars told their descendants about their homeland of Crimea. Generations of Tatars developed a love for a homeland they never experienced. After the fall of the Soviet Union, the exiled Tatars slowly returned to Crimea. Their longing for home had been fulfilled.
Followers of Jesus experience a similar longing for home as they await the day when the kingdom of God will be fully realized over all creation. Are you ready to settle yourself in the kingdom that is “not of this world” (John 18:36)? While you may be a stranger in this world (1 Peter 2:11), remember your true citizenship (see Philippians 3:20)! —L. M.-W. B.
The Proclamation (vv. 2–4)
2. Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
While Cyrus recognized the role of the Lord in ordaining his leadership (see 2 Chronicles 36:23), Cyrus’s decree was also politically motivated. He wanted to honor the many gods of the people of his empire. Ultimately, the exiles’ good fortune did not come from a human ruler, but from the gracious God who oversaw the political movements of all the kingdoms of the earth (see 2 Kings 19:15; Isaiah 37:16).
The title God of heaven is a distinctive of the text of Ezra, where 9 of its 22 Old Testament occurrences are found (here and Ezra 5:11, 12; 6:9, 10; 7:12, 21, 23 [twice]). The title combined with hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth recognized God’s sovereignty as the creator of both the heavens and the earth. While God is all-powerful as creator, He is active in His creation (see Genesis 24:7; Nehemiah 1:4–5; 2:20; Daniel 2:19).
Cyrus proclaimed new building plans, as Cyrus himself would help the exiles build God’s house, His temple. That the temple would be rebuilt in Jerusalem reflects certain importance. Ancient Israel had illegitimate worship in other locations (1 Kings 12:28–33; Amos 4:4). However, because of God’s declaration and King David’s leadership, Jerusalem became the political and religious center for Israel (2 Samuel 5:6–9; 6:1–17; 1 Kings 11:36; 2 Chronicles 6:6; 7:12; see Psalm 78:67–72).
3. Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.
The decree did more than provide orders for the exiled people. It oriented their perspective of God. God had not abandoned them, but His presence was with them as they rebuilt the temple.
That God was in Jerusalem did not imply that the presence of God was limited to this city alone (1 Kings 8:27; Isaiah 66:1; compare Acts 17:24). Instead, it indicated that God was present to His people in a special way in Jerusalem, especially in His house, the temple (Deuteronomy 12:5; 14:23).
4. And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
Two major interpretations exist as to the identity of the men of his place. One interpretation describes these people as non-Jewish individuals living in Persia. The other interpretation recognized them as Jews who decided against returning to Jerusalem. That these individuals were asked to help the returning exiles reinforces the second interpretation.
Recent archaeological discoveries also support the second interpretation. Clay cuneiform tablets from the fifth century BC describe business dealings of a non-Persian family in the city of Nippur. Some of the family names were Hebrew in origin, leading scholars to believe that many Jews stayed in Persia and continued their already established livelihood. The Jews who stayed behind were known as the Diaspora. This title is an English transliteration of a Greek noun meaning “scattering” (see Isaiah 11:12; James 1:1).
The gifts included silver and gold, important resources for the economy and the establishment of the place of worship (compare Ezra 2:69; 6:5; 8:26–27). Goods implied necessary resources for community building. And the beasts were necessary as flocks and herds. A freewill offering was an additional gift for the people of God (see Leviticus 22:23; 23:38; Deuteronomy 12:6). The offering provided for proper worship in the house of God in Jerusalem (Ezra 7:16–17).
What Do You Think?
What are some ways Christians might live as exiles in the world?
Digging Deeper
How, if at all, would this reality shape your interactions with your neighbors and coworkers?
II. Preparation for Travels (EZRA 1:5–8, 11)
A. Assembling Leaders (v. 5)
5. Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem.
In this patriarchal culture, the heads of the tribes consisted of the fathers of the family. Therefore, tribal decisions were made by the tribal chief. Tribal leadership was intact, even in the midst of exile. The specification of Judah and Benjamin is notable because these tribes made up the southern kingdom of Judah (1 Kings 12:17, 21–24; 2 Chronicles 11:1) and were the specific tribes taken into exile by the Babylonians (2 Kings 24:2).
Levites were members of the tribe of Levi. They were tasked with overseeing Israel’s worship, holy places, and holy objects (Numbers 1:47–53; 3:6–16; Deuteronomy 10:8; 1 Chronicles 15:2). The author of Ezra often listed Levites alongside the priests and lay people to clarify the scope of all the exiles (see Ezra 3:8, 12; 6:16; 8:29; 9:1; 10:5).
While Cyrus issued the decree to rebuild the temple, it was ultimately God’s plan that those whose spirit God had raised would return to build the house of the Lord (compare Psalm 127:1). That the text mentions Jerusalem seven times in these early verses indicates the importance of that city (Ezra 1:2, 3 [twice], 4, 5, 7, 11). That city, not others, would be a location of importance for the exiles.
B. Accepting Resources (vv. 6–8, 11)
6. And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.
Cyrus’s previous commands came to fruition (see commentary on Ezra 1:4, above). A similar example of unselfish support occurred when people gave generously and willingly offered to the construction of the temple (1 Chronicles 29:9).
7. Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods.
After he conquered Babylon, Cyrus took control of the royal treasury. The treasury contained vessels of the house of the Lord from the campaign of Nebuchadnezzar against Jerusalem (2 Kings 24:13; 25:13–15; 2 Chronicles 36:10, 18; Jeremiah 52:17–20). Apparently, Cyrus had not melted down the vessels into valuable bullion. Instead, the vessels were kept and placed in the temple of his gods, perhaps at the temple of Marduk (see Lesson Context).
Ancient texts describe other instances when Cyrus returned sacred artifacts to sacred cities. By concerning himself with the sacred artifacts of his subjects, Cyrus acted as a pious king who honored all gods of his empire. However, his actions did not necessitate a particular attachment to those gods, including the God of Israel.
8. Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
Cyrus needed Mithredath the treasurer to release the artifacts from the treasury. Ezra mentions another individual by the same name (Ezra 4:7). It’s unclear whether these are the same person, since several years have passed between the two events.
In a report to King Darius, Sheshbazzar was described as the “governor” of Judah (Ezra 5:14). His only mention in Scripture is found in the book of Ezra (1:8, 11; 5:14, 16).
11. All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.
The vessels brought from the treasury consisted of utensils and resources made of gold and silver (see Ezra 1:9–10, not in this lesson’s printed Scripture text). The book of Ezra shows interest in numbers that detail the return to Judah (see 2:2–61, 64–67, 69; 6:17; 7:21–22; 8:1–14, 26–27, 35). These numbers reflect a desire to tell precisely the story of Israel’s return.
Like many ancient temples, Israel’s temple served as the treasury in which royalty and priests stored valuable materials. The mention of five thousand and four hundred vessels describes the relative wealth to be housed in the rebuilt temple. Temples were considered to be safe because ancient peoples believed theft would offend the temple’s divine occupants.
III. People Returning (EZRA 2:64–70)
A. Their Composition (vv. 64–67)
64. The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore.
The second chapter of Ezra begins by listing the family groups of exiles that returned to Judah and Jerusalem (Ezra 2:1–62). A close inspection of those lists determines that they do not add up to forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore (compare Nehemiah 7:66). Perhaps some family units were left off the list (compare Ezra 2:59; Nehemiah 7:8–62) or the list included men of a certain age (compare Numbers 1:19–46). The list highlighted three observations about the returning people: (1) the exiles formed a family of the people of God, (2) the exiles preserved family relationships during the exile, and (3) the exiles returned to their homeland in sufficient numbers to rebuild.
What Do You Think?
How can you build relational unity with other believers, especially where unity may be lacking? Does Paul’s appeal in 1 Corinthians 1:10–17 affect your answer in this regard?
Digging Deeper
Under what circumstances should you avoid working for unity? Why?
65. Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women.
The included servants might refer to indebted Israelites (Leviticus 25:39–40) or to foreigners (Exodus 12:44; Deuteronomy 20:14). The prophet Isaiah called on Israel to accept strangers (Gentiles) who loved God, kept the Sabbath, and adhered to God’s covenant stipulations (Isaiah 56:3, 6–8).
What Do You Think?
How might you serve neighbors who have worldviews different from yours?
Digging Deeper
How does “brotherly love” inform your answer (see Hebrews 13:1–2)?
A SOCIALLY DISTANT MELODY
The soft melody of a flute, accompanied by the bright timbre of an oboe, wafted through the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The husband-and-wife duo of Simon and Sofia sat on their balcony and serenaded neighbors with pleasant melodies. Their musical performance united the neighborhood.
Neighbors playing music for their neighborhood is not uncommon, but the practice took a new meaning for Simon and Sofia. Stay-at-home orders for the COVID-19 pandemic had been established, and people around the world found themselves confined to their homes. Amid the fear and anxiety, talented (and even not-so-talented) musicians used their skills to bless their now homebound neighbors.
The singers who returned to Jerusalem were invaluable. Their talent reminded the exiles of the beauty and enjoyment of God’s creation. What talents has God given you to build His kingdom? Are you following the psalmist by serving the Lord with gladness (see Psalm 100:1–2)? —L. M.-W.
66–67. Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five; their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
The resources the exiles needed for their return was surely a reminder of their ancestors’ exodus from Egypt (Exodus 3:21–22). As those Israelites left Egypt, they requisitioned the necessary wealth (11:2; 12:35) and livestock (12:38) for the journey. The exodus defined Israel and its relationship with God (see Deuteronomy 5:6; compare Nehemiah 9:9–15, 24–25). God repeated history for Israel’s benefit, providing the exiles with sufficient resources for their return home.
B. Their Offerings (vv. 68–70)
68. And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place.
Although the temple had not been rebuilt, its ruins were likely accessible and its altar would be rebuilt (Ezra 3:2). The chief of the fathers took on the responsibility to encourage their household to give toward the reconstruction. That the people offered freely was reminiscent of giving for the construction of the tabernacle (see Exodus 35:5).
69. They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests’ garments.
The gold and silver formed an endowment for the work of reconstructing the temple and for the work of the priests. The elaborate garments of the priesthood were made of gold, fine linen, and precious stones (Exodus 39:1–31). Because of the garments’ value, they were counted as part of the temple treasury. The book of Nehemiah describes the same event, but gives further detail on the families’ contributions (Nehemiah 7:70–72).
What Do You Think?
What are one or two ways you can ensure a generous heart when giving?
Digging Deeper
How do Matthew 6:1–4 and 2 Corinthians 9:7 shape your answer?
70. So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.
The repatriation efforts would not occur at one time but would take time as some of the people began to settle throughout the cities of Israel. The leaders of Israel’s religious practice would stay near the soon-to-be rebuilt temple, but the others would begin to build a new life in the land.
The Nethinims were individuals who had given their lives to serve the temple in a non-priestly capacity (see 1 Chronicles 9:2; Ezra 8:20). Their specific roles are unclear.
Conclusion
A. Rebuilding for the Future
After a 2019 fire destroyed parts of the cathedral of Notre-Dame, an international competition redesigned the building’s destroyed rooftop and spiral. Architects had to keep in mind a variety of concerns: rebuilding costs, the cathedral’s history, and the relationship between the cathedral and the city.
Similar concerns are present in the narrative surrounding the return of Jewish exiles to their homeland. This week’s lesson speaks of the exiles’ history, their promised return, their relationships, and even their economic needs. While their return could have been disastrous, God provided direction through a decree of Persia’s King Cyrus.
Modern readers of Ezra may face major rebuilding efforts. These may be physical buildings, like a house, business, or church. However, the rebuilding effort may be less tangible, like relationships. These rebuilding projects invite the participants to envision a new reality, something wholly different from what was before. In those moments, we have to be available for God’s provision and work.
B. Prayer
God, we have seen our dreams shattered and our relationships lost. Restore us and give us courage to rebuild in Your name so that we can celebrate Your grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
C. Thought to Remember
Rebuilding requires courage and envisioning a new reality.