Returned Home God Keeps His Promises

THE EXILES RETURNED HOME GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES.

LOOK CLOSELY When the Israelites returned to Jerusalem, they rebuilt the foundation of the temple. Look closely at the picture of the people gathering building supplies and cross out the five things that do not belong in the picture.

CYRUS CYLINDER This might look like a strange ear of corn, but it is actually a document. This document is known as the CYRUS CYLINDER. It was issued by Cyrus the Great in the year 539 BC.

CHECK OUT THIS TINY COPY OF A PART OF THE CYRUS CYLINDER. IT IS ABOUT 1 BY 1 1/2 INCHES WIDE.

The CUNEIFORM SCRIPT carved into this clay cylinder tells of Cyrus’ deeds in Babylon. It also describes how BIBLE PASSAGE: EZRA 1; 3 he allowed captured people to return to their homes and rebuild their temples. The BOOK OF EZRA mentions Cyrus issuing a decree allowing the Israelites to return MEMORY VERSE: home with their temple treasures. EZRA 3:11A

etb_younger_explorer_guide_sum20.indd 4 12/13/19 1:00 PM GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES. ALL ABOUT CEDAR It was time for the Israelites to build a new temple. The people gave money, food, drinks, and oil in exchange for cedar wood to build the temple’s foundation. But what’s so great about cedar, anyway?

• CEDAR TREES CAN GROW TO BE UP TO 200 FEET TALL • CEDAR TREES CAN SURVIVE FOR 300 YEARS IN THE WILD • CEDAR WOOD IS NATURALLY RESISTANT TO WATER, BUGS, AND DECAY • AS OF 2019, CEDAR WOOD COSTS TWICE AS MUCH AS OTHER LUMBER • ANCIENT EGYPTIANS USED CEDAR OIL DURING THE MUMMIFICATION PROCESS

WHAT IS THE FESTIVAL OF BOOTHS? After the Israelites returned home, their leaders led them to worship God. One way the people worshiped God was by celebrating the Festival of Booths.

During this celebration, Jewish people build booths out of branches and plants and remember how they are dependent on God to provide and care for them. THIS CELEBRATION IS ALSO KNOWN AS SUKKOT, OR THE FEAST OF REASONS TO TABERNACLES. PRAISE The Israelites praised God for His goodness and love in today’s Memory Verse, Ezra 3:11a. What are some reasons you can praise God? Write or draw a picture of your reasons in the space provided.

BIBLE PASSAGE: EZRA 1; 3

MEMORY VERSE: EZRA 3:11A

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Text Truth: God’s people returned to their home. Bible Verse: The Lord is good. His love endures forever. Ezra 3:11 Bible Verse Paraphrase: God is good and His love never ends. Ezra 3:11

For Kids and EZRA 1—3 Parents God’s people, the Israelites, had been in a faraway land for seventy years. Now it was time to go back to Jerusalem. The king gave the people permission to return to Jerusalem and build a new temple for God. All the family leaders and the priests prepared to go. Neighbors were kind and gave the Israelites animals, gold and silver, and many other things they could use. The king gave the Israelite people things to take for the temple. Men, women, and children prepared for the journey to Jerusalem. When the people arrived, they gave offerings for the temple to be built. The people then found places to live. After a while, the people built an altar where they could worship God. They celebrated with a festival for many days. The people gave money to the workers and food to neighboring people who would bring them wood. Then God’s people began the work to build the temple. Everyone helped in some way.

ETB_Pre_ActPages_SUM2020.indd 1 12/11/19 4:24 PM GOD’S PEOPLE WENT HOME Help the Israelites find a path to return to Jerusalem. (There’s more than one way!)

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