Historical Context:
A. The nation of Israel was in captivity for

years in Babylon.

B. A remnant of Jews was allowed to return to rebuild the

and the walls of Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel, Joshua the High Priest, Ezra, and Nehemiah.

C. Once the foundation for the new Temple was laid they were immediately confronted with discouragement:

1. The
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   generation lamented the size (Ezra 3:12).
2. Others became more interested in building their own house rather than God’s house (Haggai 1:4).
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   mixed with the work through the Samaritans who had wrong motives (Ezra 4:1-2).
4. The
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   of God convinced the King of Persia to stop the work (Ezra 4:4-24).

D. There were

years of wasted time (Ezra 5).

E. God raised up the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to move the people to repentance and work (Ezra 5).

TIMELESS LESSONS FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD:
1. The enduring

of God
2. The paralyzing power of the past
3. The confusing

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to the world
4. The eternal impact of small things