BIG IDEA:
RESTORATION (TO ENJOYMENT OF GOD’S PROMISED BLESSINGS) WIPES AWAY THE TEARS OF CAPTIVITY WITH THE JOYFUL SHOUTS OF PRAISE
INTRODUCTION:
Context: Return from Babylonian captivity
I. (:1-3) RESTORATION REALIZED
“When the Lord brought back the captive ones of Zion”
A. A Dream Come True
“We were like those who dream”
Need to poke yourself to see if you are dreaming. Everything seems too good to be true.
B. Tears of Captivity
“the captive ones of Zion”
C. Joyful Shouts of Praise
“Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with joyful shouting.”
D. Exciting Testimony
1. Second Hand Testimony
“Then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.”
2. First Hand Testimony
“The Lord has done great things for us; We are glad.”
II. (:4-6) RESTORATION ANTICIPATED
“Restore our captivity, O Lord”
A. Visualizing the Dream
“As the streams in the South”
B. Tears of Captivity
“Those who sow in tears”
“He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed”
no possession of the promised land in which to plant crops
C. Joyful Shouts of Praise
“Shall reap with joyful shouting”
“Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy”
D. Testimony of Fruitfulness
“bringing his sheaves with him”