◄ Ezra 5:16 ►
So this Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundation of the house of God in Jerusalem, and from that time until now it has been under construction, but it has not yet been completed." Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezra 5:16? 2. How does Ezra 5:16 demonstrate God's faithfulness in rebuilding the temple? 3. What role did Sheshbazzar play in Ezra 5:16, and why is it significant? 4. How can we apply the perseverance shown in Ezra 5:16 to our lives? 5. What scriptural connections exist between Ezra 5:16 and other temple rebuilding accounts? 6. How does Ezra 5:16 encourage us to trust God's timing in our endeavors? 7. What historical evidence supports the rebuilding of the temple mentioned in Ezra 5:16? 8. How does Ezra 5:16 reflect God's sovereignty in the restoration of Jerusalem? 9. Why was the temple's foundation laid but not completed according to Ezra 5:16? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezra 5? 11. Who was Sheshbazzar in the Bible? 12. What does defiling God's temple mean? 13. Who was Sheshbazzar in the Bible? 14. (Ezra 3:7) Could a newly returned, resource-strapped community realistically acquire and transport large quantities of cedar from Lebanon? Discussion Questions 1. How does the role of Sheshbazzar in Ezra 5:16 inspire you to take on leadership roles in your community or church? 2. In what ways can the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem be seen as a metaphor for spiritual renewal in your own life? 3. How do the promises of God in the Old Testament, such as the return from exile, encourage you to trust in His promises today? 4. What are some modern-day "temples" or areas of worship in your life that need rebuilding or restoration? 5. How can the perseverance shown by the Israelites in rebuilding the temple encourage you to persist in your own spiritual or personal challenges? Ezra 5 Bible Study Questions 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 5:16 NIV Ezra 5:16 NLT Ezra 5:16 ESV Ezra 5:16 NASB Ezra 5:16 KJV Ezra 5:16 Commentaries Bible Hub