Get Lit - Week 19

Get Lit – Week 19                          Return & Rebuild – Week 1 “Rise and Build”           Nehemiah 2:16-20Core Passage: Ezra–Nehemiah (survey, with key texts: Ezra 3; 7; Nehemiah 6; 8; 12)Big Idea: God restores His people through His presence, His Word, and His kingdom—a work fully realized in Christ.Introduction: A Story of Incomplete RestorationAfter exile, Israel returned to the land, but not to its former glory.They came back under Persian rule (not a free kingdom), with a ruined Temple, scattered people, and a broken city.Three leaders—Zerubbabel, Ezra, Nehemiah—led three distinct but connected restorations:Zerubbabel - Temple (Presence of God)Ezra - People (Word of God)Nehemiah - Walls/City (Security of God’s Kingdom)Each work met opposition, was partial in its completion, and left Israel longing for more—pointing forward to Christ.Historical Context -              Assyrian Empire (722 BC): Northern Kingdom (Israel) falls. Samaria destroyed, 10 tribes scattered.-              Babylonian Empire (586 BC): Southern Kingdom (Judah) falls. Temple and walls destroyed, people exiled.-              Persian Empire (539 BC): Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, issues decree allowing Jews to return (538 BC).-              Zerubbabel & Jeshua (516 BC): Temple rebuilt, but walls still ruined.-              Ezra (458 BC): Returns to teach the Law.-              Nehemiah (445 BC): Rebuilds the walls in 52 days (Neh. 6:15), despite opposition.