Sunday, February 26th, 2016
Ezra is a book centered on fresh awakenings and new beginnings. Capturing the Sovereign God’s dedication to His covenant promises, the book is broken up into two sections governed by two different returns of the Jewish community from exile to the promised land. The first section, in chapters 1-6 focuses on the rebuilding of the temple while the second section chapters 7-10 focuses on Ezra as scribe and priest and his administration of God’s law. The book teaches us about God’s sovereignty and His faithfulness to His promises as well as our obligation to faithfulness, purity, and holiness.
General Questions:
- Ezra 10:6 shows that Ezra fasts without food and water, and he continues to mourn over the unfaithfulness of the exiles. What is the point in fasting? Where else do we see fasting being used throughout the Bible?
- In Chapter 10:1-4 Ezra doesn’t tell the Israelites to repent for their unfaithfulness. The people see Ezra praying and confessing and they come to the realization of their sin. How is that more powerful than Ezra commanding the people to repent?
For Further Discussion:
In Chapter 10, the themes of confession and repentance continue. In verse 6, we see that Ezra transitions from a public to private house. While in the house he continues to fast because of the sin of infidelity within the community.
- What is the purpose of Ezra’s fast?
- How does the transition from a public to private place in his fast stress the importance of fasting?
- What is your experience with fasting?
- Would a proper, biblical perspective aid you in your fast or not?