The First Steps Home Series

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The First Steps Home

Ezra 1:1-11

Today we are going to make a start on a new sermon series.

The series is called Jexit.

You might ask, “Well what is that?”

Well we know what Brexit is … the attempt of England to leave the European Union.

Jexit is the focus in history when Judah exists Babylon.

Not just an attempt … but an actual event that took place.

As we make our way through the series we will be focussing on the Scriptures, but this series is not like others where we make our way through a particular book.

Instead we are going to consider a time of history in the life of the Judah - namely the history and events which took place after the Persian Empire comes to power and how the people re-establish themselves in the land of Judea.

As we look at this time in history we need to be very precise in our language. Specifically we need to understand that the land the people return to is not called Israel … it is called Judah.

That is all that is left of the promised land.

The people who are going back are not Israelites … they are Judahites – and some Benjaminites.

Which is why still today the people who inhabit the land today are called Jews.

As we make our way through the Scriptures which are related to this time in God’s work with His people we need to be honest and recognise that this is not a part of Scripture that we know so well.

There are some gaps in our knowledge.

So, because there are gaps, and because we need to keep a context in mind, we are going to spend some of the preaching time talking about history and geography.

Looking at the lay of the land and the political landscape worked.

Thinking about chronologies and dates, especially as they relate to the rule of Persian kings.

We will also look at names of people, places, geographical locations, areas of land and the ownership of territories.

But this isn’t just going to be a history and geography lesson … which I am sure is a relief to you all … because the history that we are talking about is God’s history.

When that history is recorded in the Scriptures, specifically the history regarding the way God interacts with his people, it is called “redemptive history”.

So this is not “just history”. This is history of theological importance for us.

One purpose of looking at this series is that we are going to understand that the Old Testament is important – essential – to our Christian growth.

More importantly, lets understand that this is not just me thinking that a series like this is a good idea. The Scripture itself encourages us to see all Scripture as important.

Have a look at 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

In the context Paul talks about a number of historical events in the lives of the Israelites. And then he tells us why it is important to know these things.

6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. (1 Cor 10:6)

11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! (1 Cor 10:11-12)

So OT history is there to keep us on track. It is a call for all of us to learn from our Spiritual ancestors - and especially be aware that we can just as easily fall into the same traps which they fell into.

The reason we do so, ultimately, is that the Bible is one story.

The OT and NT are not two separate stories … they are one story.

God engaging with his people.

Have a look at 2 Timothy 3:14-17

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Do you realise that Paul wrote to Timothy in around 65AD. If Timothy was 20 when Paul wrote, and he may have been older, but Timothy is an infant in 45AD (approximately).

The general consensus is that the books of the New Testament did not start to be written until at least 50AD … that is approximately 5 years after Timothy was born. Half of the NT letters were not written until after 65AD – after Paul wrote to Timothy.