CHAPTER ONE

Contents: Decree of Cyrus for restoration of the temple and preparations for the return of the remnant.

Characters: God, Cyrus, Sheshbazzar, Mithredath.

Conclusion: (v. 1) The hearts of kings are in the hand of the Lord and like the rivulets of water, He turns them whatever way He wills. Therefore whatever good offices are done for the church, God must have the glory.

Key Word: Temple, v. 2.

CHAPTER TWO

Contents: The returning remnant.

Characters: God, Zerubbabel.

Conclusion: Sin debases and diminishes a nation but God always has a faithful remnant who love the ceremonies of His house and give liberally and cheerfully for its upkeep.

Key Word: Remnant's return, v. 1.

Strong Verses:   68, 69.

Striking Facts: Persons from all tribes returned under Zerrubabel, but in the broad sense, the dispersion of Israel still continues and the tribes cannot be identified. Only God knows who they are. At the revelation of Jesus Christ they will be made known.

CHAPTER THREE

Contents: Altar set up and temple foundations relaid. Worship established.

Characters: God, Zerubbabel, Jeshua.

Conclusion: To see any branch of God's work reestablished after long desolations cannot but open fountains of joy and praise in those who love God. We should be thankful for even the beginnings of mercy though we have not yet seen the perfection of it.

Key Word: Established, v 11.

Strong Verses:   11, 13.

Striking Facts: v. 3. If we have enemies, the safest course is to keep on intimate terms with God through His Son Jesus Christ who is typified in the daily Lamb and whose righteousness must be our confidence in all our supplications.

CHAPTER FOUR

Contents: Work hindered by adversaries.

Characters: Zerubbabel, Ahasuerus, Jeshua, Artazerxes, Rehum, Shimshai.

Conclusion: God's work cannot be advanced but Satan will rage and the gates of hell will fight against it. Wonder not at the church's enemies but keep an eye single to God who will ultimately give the victory.

Key Word: Hindered, v. 4.

Strong Verses:   3.

Striking Facts: v. 14. A secret enemy to Christ and His Gospel is often guilded over with a pretended affection to Caesar and his power. The worst enemy is one who claims to be a Christian but is not.

CHAPTER FIVE

Contents: Encouragement of the prophets and the work resumed.

Characters: Zerubbabel, Haggai, Zechariah, Jeshua, Tattenai, Darius, Shethar-bozenai.

Conclusion: It is a sign that God has mercy in store for a people when He raises up men of God among them to encourage and help them in His work. When we cannot do what we would in His service, we should take courage and do all we can.

Key Word: Work resumed, v. 2.

Striking Facts: v. 2. It is the business of Christian ministers to stir up God's people to that which is good, especially to the work of completing the temple of Christ which is being erected out of "living stones."

CHAPTER SIX

Contents: Darius confirms the decree of Cyrus. Temple furnished and worship restored.

Characters: God, Darius, Haggai, Zechariah, Tattenai, Shethar-bozenai, Cyrus.

Conclusion: When God's time has come for the accomplishment of His gracious purposes concerning His church, He will raise up instruments to promote it and from men of whom good service was not expected. The wrath of the enemy may be made to praise God.

Key Word: Finished, v. 14.

Strong Verses:   10, 21, 22.

Striking Facts: v. 10. Let men in authority despise not the prayers of the meanest saints who know how to approach God on the ground of Christ's sacrifice. Let God's people pray for those in authority.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Contents: Ezra's expedition to Jerusalem and his thanksgiving.

Characters: God, Ezra, Artaxerxes.

Conclusion: God is able to do for us exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. When magistrates are moved to encourage the work of the church, we should thank God who put it into their hearts to do so.

Key Word: Decree, v. 13.

Strong Verses:   10, 23.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Contents: List of Ezra's companions and his visit to Jerusalem. Treasure placed in the temple.

Characters: God, Ezra, Sherebeah, Hashabiah, Meremoth, Eleazar, Jozabad, Noadiah.

Conclusion: God's servants have His power engaged for them. Those who trust in God will be ashamed of seeking much to the creature for protection. In carrying out God's commissions, we are safe under the shadow of His wings. (v. 22.)

Key Word: Furthered, v. 36.

Strong Verses:   22.

Striking Facts: v. 23. Even the common dangers of our everyday journeys are such as to oblige us to sanctify our going out with prayer and our return in peace with thanksgiving through Jesus Christ.

CHAPTER NINE

Contents: The remnant loses its separated position. Ezra's prayer and confession.

Characters: God, Ezra.

Conclusion: Let this be the comfort of true penitents, that though their sins have piled up to heaven, God's mercy is in tlv.3 heavens and if we confess our sins, trusting to the sacrificed One, God is faithful and just to forgive, and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.

Key Word: Confession, v. 6.

Strong Verses:   6, 13, 14.

Striking Facts: v. 5. The evening sacrifice was a type of the propitiation of the Lamb of God, who, in the evening of the world, took away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. With the eye of faith fixed upon that sacrifice we may confess our sins and hope for full cleansing.

CHAPTER TEN

Contents: Separation restored. Strange wives surrendered.

Characters: God, Ezra, Shecaniah, Jonanan.

Conclusion: There is hope concerning people when they are convinced not only that it is good to part with their sins, but indispensably necessary lest they be undone.

Key Word: Separated, v. 11.

Strong Verses :  1, 11.

Striking Facts: v. 19. The only way of obtaining pardon for sin is to seek it on the ground of Christ's sacrifice, who was our trespass offering, so owning our guilt and His blood as that which washes away the stain and guilt of sin.