A Story in 5 acts, of Attack and Discouragement turning into Joy

—Ezra (Part 39 of Seeing Jesus in the O.T.)

  • Andrew Fountain – Jan 2, 2022

 
 
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Goal

For us to be encouraged by one of the most amazing stories in Scripture of horrible defeat being turned into joyful victory
—A story in 5 acts.

A Story of Attacks and Discouragement turning into Joy

  1. The Wave: Up and then Down
  2. The Pit, then a Peek of Hope
  3. A Shockingly Supernatural Rescue
  4. The Dragon Attacks
  5. Defeat turned to Joy
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

A Story of Attacks and Discouragement turning into Joy

  1. The Wave: Up and then Down
  2. The Pit, then a Peek of Hope
  3. A Shockingly Supernatural Rescue
  4. The Dragon Attacks
  5. Defeat turned to Joy
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Hosea 11

Jeremiah 31:20–21

  1. Indeed, the people of Israel are my dear children.
          They are my darling children.
    For even though I must often rebuke them,
          I still remember them with fondness.
    Therefore my heart yearns for them
          and will surely have compassion on them.
                I, the LORD, affirm it!

Jeremiah 31:20–21

  1. I will say, “My dear children of Israel, keep in mind
          the road you took when you were carried off.
    Mark off in your minds the landmarks.
          Note telltale signs that mark the way back.
    Return, my dear children of Israel.
          Return to these cities of yours.”

Isaiah 30

  1. For this reason the LORD is ready to show you mercy;
    he sits on his throne, ready to have compassion on you.
    Indeed, the LORD is a just God;
          all who wait for him in faith will be blessed.

A Story of Attacks and Discouragement turning into Joy

  1. The Wave: Up and then Down
  2. The Pit, then a Peek of Hope
  3. A Shockingly Supernatural Rescue
  4. The Dragon Attacks
  5. Defeat turned to Joy
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Ezra 1:1–4

  1. In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, in order to fulfill the LORD’s message spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the mind of King Cyrus of Persia. He sent a proclamation throughout his entire kingdom, announcing in a written edict the following:
  2. “Thus says King Cyrus of Persia:
          The LORD God of heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has instructed me to build a temple for him in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

Ezra 1:1–4

  1. Anyone from his people among you (may his God be with him!) may go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and may build the temple of the LORD God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem.
  2. Anyone who survives in any of those places where he is a resident foreigner must be helped by his neighbours with silver, gold, equipment, and animals, along with voluntary offerings for the temple of God which is in Jerusalem.”

A Story of Attacks and Discouragement turning into Joy

  1. The Wave: Up and then Down
  2. The Pit, then a Peek of Hope
  3. A Shockingly Supernatural Rescue
  4. The Dragon Attacks
  5. Defeat turned to Joy
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Opposition and attacks

  • Ezra 4: The nations try to stop the work
  • Ezra 5: But the Jews know they are doing God’s work
  • Ezra 6: God’s power is greater than Satan’s

Ezra 4–6

A Story of Attacks and Discouragement turning into Joy

  1. The Wave: Up and then Down
  2. The Pit, then a Peek of Hope
  3. A Shockingly Supernatural Rescue
  4. The Dragon Attacks
  5. Defeat turned to Joy
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Ezra 4–6

Response of God’s people

  • “I am a child of the God of heaven and earth”
  • Take in the beautiful words of God’s tender love for his children, even when they are not in a good place
  • Call out to him and trust him with 2022