Ezra 5:1-17 — Restarting Ministry After Discouragement
RESTARTING MINISTRY IN THE FACE OF DISCOURAGING OPPOSITION REQUIRES MOTIVATION FROM GOD’S WORD AND CONVICTION REGARDING THE SIGNIFICANCE AND LEGITIMACY OF THE MISSION
Ezra 4:1-24 — Opposition to God’s Work
GOD’S ENEMIES USE FAMILIAR TACTICS TO OPPOSE GOD’S WORK AND ACHIEVE TEMPORARY VICTORIES
Ezra 3:1-13 — First Things First — Restoration of Worship and Laying the Temple Foundation
REVIVAL STARTS WITH RE-ESTABLISHING OBEDIENCE TO GOD IN WORSHIP
Ezra 1:1-11 — Give Me Some of that Old Time Religion!
RESTORATION OF THE TEMPLE INITIATED BY THE SOVEREIGN INTERVENTION OF THE DECREE OF CYRUS TO FULFIL COVENANTAL PROMISES
Esther 10:1-3 — Epilogue — The Greatness of Mordecai Extolled
THE ELEVATION OF MORDECAI TO GREATNESS IN THE PERSIAN KINGDOM PROTECTED THE JEWISH COMMUNITY BY THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD
Esther 9:1-32 — Feasting at the Overturned Table
PROVIDENCE LEADS US TO VICTORY OVER OUR ENEMIES AND GIVES US CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION AS WE MEMORIALIZE GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
Esther 8:1-17 — The Surprising Impact of Divine Providence
THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD TRANSFORMS DESPERATION INTO DELIGHT IN SURPRISING WAYS
Esther 6:1-14 — Providence Working behind the Scenes
GOD DEMONSTRATES HIS SOVEREIGN CONTROL EVEN WHEN THE WICKED IMAGINE THAT THEY ARE IN CONTROL
Esther 5:1-14 — Boldness, Banquets and Boasting
THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD PREPARES THE WAY FOR A REVERSAL OF FORTUNES
Esther 4:1-17 — One Shining Moment
PROVIDENCE POSITIONS YOU TO LEVERAGE YOUR GOD-GIVEN CALLING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
Esther 3:1-15 — Providence Allows God’s People to Come Under Severe Attack
SATAN’S GOAL IS NOTHING LESS THAN THE EXTERMINATION OF GOD’S PEOPLE
Esther 2:1-23 — Providential Crowning of Esther as the New Persian Queen
THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD SOVEREIGNLY WORKS BEHIND THE SCENES DESPITE THE OSTENTATIOUS EXCESSES OF PAGAN DESPOTS AND THE CULTURAL ASSIMILATION OF GOD’S PEOPLE