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EZRA
Jun 21, 2023 3:08:14 GMT -5
Post by Admin on Jun 21, 2023 3:08:14 GMT -5
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EZRA
Jun 21, 2023 3:10:50 GMT -5
Post by Admin on Jun 21, 2023 3:10:50 GMT -5
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EZRA
Jun 21, 2023 3:26:54 GMT -5
Post by Admin on Jun 21, 2023 3:26:54 GMT -5
26- 02 JULY MW 1. What can we learn from some of the Israelites who remained in Babylon? ( Ezr 1:5, 6) "Like some of the Israelites who remained in Babylon, many of Jehovah’s Witnesses cannot take up the full-time ministry or serve where the need is greater. Yet, they support and encourage those who can and make voluntary donations to further the Kingdom-preaching and disciple-making work." [w06 1/15 19 par 1] 03- 09 JULY MW 2. Why is the expression “Beyond the River” significant? ( Ezr 6:13) "The coin was made in Tarsus, a city in the southeastern part of what is now Turkey. The coin was produced during the rule of the Persian governor Mazaeus in the fourth century B.C.E. It identifies him as governor of the province “Beyond the River,” that is, the Euphrates River.
But why is that phrase interesting? Because you will find the same designation in your Bible. Ezra 5:6–6:13 sets out correspondence between the Persian king Darius and a governor named Tattenai. At issue was the Jews’ rebuilding of their temple in Jerusalem. Ezra was a skilled copyist of God’s Law, and you would expect him to be precise, accurate in what he wrote. You will see at Ezra 5:6 and 6:13 that he termed Tattenai “the governor beyond the River.”
Ezra penned that about 460 B.C.E., some 100 years before this coin was minted. Oh, some people might feel that the designation for an ancient official is a minor detail. But if you can rely on the Bible writers in even such small details, should that not increase your confidence in what else they wrote?" [w93 6/15 32 par 3-5] 10- 16 JULY MW 3. Why were many Jews in Babylon reluctant to go up to Jerusalem with Ezra? ( Ezr 8:1) "Even though more than 60 years had passed since the first group of Jews had returned to their homeland, Jerusalem was only sparsely settled. Returning to Jerusalem meant building a new life under uncomfortable and dangerous circumstances. The Jerusalem of the day did not hold out attractive material prospects to the Jews who might have been prospering in Babylon. Not to be overlooked was the dangerous journey. The returnees had to have strong faith in Jehovah, zeal for true worship, and courage to make the move. Even Ezra strengthened himself according to the hand of Jehovah upon him. With Ezra’s encouragement, 1,500 families—perhaps numbering 6,000 people—responded. After Ezra took additional initiatives, 38 Levites and 220 Nethinim responded." [w06 1/15 19 par 10] 17-23 JULY MW 4. Why were the children sent away along with the wives? ( Ezr 10:44) "If the children had stayed behind, the likelihood that the dismissed wives would return on account of them would have increased. Moreover, little children generally require the care of their mother." [w06 1/15 20 par 2]
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EZRA
Jul 14, 2023 19:33:11 GMT -5
Post by Admin on Jul 14, 2023 19:33:11 GMT -5
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