UBF Daily Bread Voice Service
** SUBSCRIBE / ALARM / LIKE click & you can receive Daily Bread every morning.

Date: 4.22.2020
Passage: Ezra 1:1~2:70
Key Verse: 1:5
Title: GOD MOVES PEOPLE'S HEARTS
Content:
0. INTRODUCTION TO EZRA
When the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC, they deported the best people to Babylon. The Babylonian captivity was God's judgment on his idolatrous people. God's purpose was to lead them to repentance. The Babylonian captivity, according to Jeremiah's prophecy, was to last 70 years. Cyrus the Persian conquered Babylon in 539 BC and allowed the first exiles led by Zerubbabel to return to build the temple. The temple was completed after much struggle in 516 BC-70 years after it had been destroyed. Ezra lived in Babylon. He led the second large group of exiles back to Jerusalem in 458 BC Ezra's mission was to be a shepherd and Bible teacher for the exiles who had forgotten God's laws and were wandering in a spiritual and moral wilderness. Nehemiah came a few years later (445 BC) and rebuilt the wall. Ezra probably wrote 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Psalm 119. In Ezra 1-6, he writes about the first returnees. They had finished rebuilding the temple. In the remaining chapters, he describes his own ministry. He was concerned about the compromises and the idolatry which had corrupted the returned exiles. Ezra 7:10 is the key verse: “For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel”0. GOD MOVES PEOPLE'S HEARTS
1. God keeps his word and moves the king's heart (1-4)
The Lord had promised that after 70 years the Jews exiled in Babylon would return to Jerusalem. God kept his word by allowing Cyrus king of Persia to conquer Babylon. Then he moved the king's heart to allow the exiles to return and rebuild the temple of the Lord. He acknowledged God and that his power came from God, and he believed that God had appointed him to build the temple in Jerusalem.
2. God moves his people's hearts (1:5-2:70)
It was hard to leave and return to the devastated land of Judah. God moved the hearts of a few leaders to accept this mission and return to rebuild the temple. Their neighbors gave generously and the king returned the temple articles. When they arrived, the returned exiles first gave a free-will offering for the rebuilding of the temple.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for keeping your promises. Help us to do your mission whole-heartedly.
One Word: Do God's mission with all my heart

URL: http://ubf.org/daily-bread

University Bible Fellowship (UBF) is an international evangelical church (non-denominational) dedicated to Christ and his kingdom. Our main focus is to study the Bible, grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and live according to his teachings as his disciples. We especially pray to reach college students and help them grow as his lifelong disciples. Come visit us!

LINKS:
University Bible Fellowship:
https://www.ubf.org
https://www.youtube.com/user/ubfwebdev

UBF Daily Bread Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOUhf_wOfP99TPIO8MZDXzw

University Bible Fellowship: HQ YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/user/ubfwebdev

LA UBF YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1SRAeGrnVlvoEEMZ-htVlA

Shepherds Church El Camino UBF YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUo7uJNxoFxHA0DPL8IvFvg

Membership:
National Association of Evangelicals:
http://www.nae.net/