And this is the answer they returned: "We are servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and completed. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezra 5:11? 2. How does Ezra 5:11 demonstrate the importance of acknowledging God's role in our work? 3. What can we learn about identity from the phrase "servants of the God"? 4. How does Ezra 5:11 connect to the theme of obedience in Scripture? 5. In what ways can we apply the builders' dedication to our daily tasks? 6. How does acknowledging God's authority influence our actions and decisions today? 7. What does Ezra 5:11 reveal about the identity and mission of the Israelites? 8. How does Ezra 5:11 reflect the Israelites' understanding of their relationship with God? 9. What historical context is essential to fully grasp the message of Ezra 5:11? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezra 5? 11. Who was Sheshbazzar in the Bible? 12. What evidence supports the existence of the Levites and captains mentioned in 2 Chronicles 23:8, and how do we reconcile any lack of external records? 13. Nehemiah 11:21 - What archaeological proof exists for the Nethinim and their service near the Temple, as described in this passage? 14. Why does Ezra 1 conflict with accounts in 2 Kings 24-25 that suggest more extensive destruction of Jerusalem's treasures than implied here? Discussion Questions 1. How does identifying as "servants of the God of heaven and earth" shape our understanding of our own identity and mission today?2. In what ways can we remain faithful to God's calling in the face of opposition or adversity, as the Jewish exiles did? 3. How does the account of the temple's rebuilding demonstrate God's sovereignty and providence in our lives? 4. What lessons can we learn from the historical continuity between Solomon's temple and the rebuilt temple in Ezra about God's faithfulness? 5. How can we prioritize communal worship and the presence of God in our lives, similar to the emphasis on rebuilding the temple?1. How do the themes of faith and obedience present in Ezra 5 apply to modern-day challenges? 2. What does the role of the prophets in inspiring Zerubbabel and Jeshua tell you about the importance of spiritual leadership? 3. Discuss a time when you faced opposition similar to the builders of the temple. How did you handle it? 4. How does the story of Ezra 5 encourage believers to continue their work in the face of opposition? 5. What role does prophecy play in the narrative of Ezra 5 and how does this apply to today's concept of divine guidance? 6. Why was it significant for the temple to be rebuilt despite the possible consequences from the Persian authorities? 7. How does the sovereignty of God manifest in the narrative of Ezra 5? 8. How would you react today if, like Tattenai and Shethar-Bozenai, you encountered something that you didn't understand or agree with? 9. How does the letter to Darius demonstrate the importance of truth and verification in resolving conflicts? 10. What can we learn from the courage and perseverance shown by Zerubbabel and Jeshua? 11. How does the interaction between the Jews and their foreign rulers in Ezra 5 reflect on international relations today? 12. How might the story be different if the Jews had given up on building the temple when they were questioned? 13. How does the story of the temple rebuilding inspire you to persist in your personal spiritual goals? 14. How can you apply the principles of leadership demonstrated by Zerubbabel and Jeshua in your own life? 15. How does the reference to past kings and decrees reflect on the importance of history and context in interpreting current situations? 16. How does the story in Ezra 5 help us understand the concept of divine timing? 17. Discuss the importance of collective action in achieving a shared goal, as demonstrated in Ezra 5. 18. How does Ezra 5 reflect the belief in divine protection in the face of human opposition? 19. How can you relate the verification of King Cyrus's decree to the importance of seeking truth in today's information age? 20. How can the story of Ezra 5 inspire you to act on God's calling despite facing obstacles or opposition? Links Ezra 5:11 NIVEzra 5:11 NLT Ezra 5:11 ESV Ezra 5:11 NASB Ezra 5:11 KJV Ezra 5:11 Commentaries Bible Hub |



