LESSON 4 3. The main purpose of the letter (vv. 7–16) is to persuade the king to stop what is happening in Jerusalem. What accusations did Israel’s adversaries make in the days of Artaxerxes to stir up concern?
4. In Ezra 4:17–23, what is the result of Artaxerxes’ decree, and how does his response reveal his character?
5. Ezra 4:24 picks up the story again from Ezra 4:5. What happens next?
6. Slandering, mistreating, and persecuting people is not new, especially in the biblical account. And thankfully God will not allow man’s evil to dismantle His plans or His people. How do these passages encourage you, regardless of your current situation?
Job 42:2 I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
John 15:18–19 If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, there- fore the world hates you.
Ezra 3:1–4:24 | 49
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