People of the Promise: Exile & Return - Introduction

 

 

Introduction to People of the Promise:  Exile & Return - Lesson 0

This year Bible Study Fellowship will explore the Exile and Return of Israel to their promised homeland.  You can find an in-person class in your area or an online class at https://www.bsfinternational.org/ .  Follow the weekly class format along with me as we study the books Ezekiel, Daniel, Ezra, Esther, Haggai, Zechariah, Nehemiah, and Malachi.   We will see God work as we learn about the kings, the empires, the prophets, and the promises.

We will be reminded of God’s faithfulness and love for Israel.  Israel had inconsistent obedience and lack of gratitude for God.  They disobeyed Him and even worshiped pagan gods.  God allowed them to be exiled and held in captivity for 70 years in Babylon in order to bring them to repentance and humility before the one true God.

God never gave up on them, because He had a plan.  He sent prophets to speak the them during their exile.  Then as promised, He caused them to be released from exile and journey back home to Jerusalem.  Through this study we will see how God restores and rebuilds their lives in Jerusalem.  He returns them to their land.  He sends faithful prophets and leaders to encourage and help them rebuild.  God worked behind the scenes through leaders like Daniel, Ezra and Esther just as He works behind the scenes through faithful followers today.

The study speaks to anyone today who feels captive and waiting for something more to happen in their lives.  Today there are many people who live in exile from their homeland.  Christians are waiting for their homeland in God’s kingdom.  Israel had hope and we have hope as we wait for Jesus’ return to take us home.

There are many lessons to be learned from this study.  Here are only a few:

God loves us no matter what we’ve done.

God is faithful and keeps His Word.

God influences people to bring about His plan.

God raises up leaders to bring about His plan.

God restores repentant sinners.

God is present with His people wherever they are.

God alone gives and sustains life.

God’s restoration of Israel displays His power and glorifies Him before all nations.

God is our provider and gives us everything we need for salvation and faithful living.

God is present and purposeful in every circumstance.

God’s kingdom is greater and more powerful than any earthly kingdom.

God’s Word guides His people to love and worship Him.

God reveals our sin to lead us to repent and obey.

God positions His people to accomplish His purposes.

God’s enemies will never stop His perfect plan.

God will end evil and rule over all.

God sent His Son, Jesus to die on the cross for us.

Jesus will return and rule eternally as conquering King.

This will be an informative and exciting study.  Next time we will start our study in the book of Ezekiel.  Hope to see you here.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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