Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2 has been a reminder to believers that God is faithful to deliver His people. Hannah’s rejoicing in God and His character is an encouragement to those of us dealing with trials. God sees and cares! Every micro-deliverance He grants is a reminder of the certainty of His macro-deliverance!

Hannah serves as an example to us of godly behavior during times of affliction. She was a woman who understood God and faithfully prayed, knowing He cared for her. She followed through with a grateful and generous commitment, giving her son in service to the Lord.

Whenever a nation, church, family, or individual forgets the Lord, a crisis inevitably develops. Years of rebellion during the time of the judges has led Israel to near collapse, but God is working to restore the priesthood by remembering godly Hannah, and blessing her with a son, Samuel.

This introduction to 1 Samuel sets the historical context for our study. It was a time not unlike today, where everyone did what they thought was right. God is righteous, and we are unrighteous, yet He has made it possible for those who would reject their own righteousness to gain His.

Ezra 7 finally introduces us to the person of Ezra. A scribe skilled in the law of Moses, Ezra’s determination to study, obey, and teach the Word of God was critical to the reformation of the people. We are called to be skilled and obedient to the Scriptures if it is our desire to reform our family, church, and community.

The Passover Feast is a beautiful shadow of the reality of the sacrifice of Christ, the Lamb of God. The people returning from the exile from Babylon celebrated the Passover in Jerusalem for the first time in decades. The Lamb is our substitute, and provides the opportunity for salvation.

When opposition to the building of the temple came, the people relented and the work stopped. After months of inactivity, God sent the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to rebuke them for their inactivity. As a result, the people returned to work and the temple was finished. The encouragement to us it is always worth it to serve the Lord.

As the exiles returned home from Babylon, they immediately began to worship God through the offering of sacrifices and the celebration of the Feast of Booths. As they joyfully remembered what God had done, they looked forward to what He would do when Messiah came. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of those hopeful dreams. He is the living water who satisfies our spiritual thirst.

Why does God record long lists of names so often in the Bible? In listing the names of the returning families from Babylon, we learn much about the character of God. God ‘s faithfulness, eternal nature and attention to detail reveals that He cares deeply for each of us.

In ‘stirring’ up Cryus, King of Persia, to send His people back to Israel, God proved once again that He holds the heart of the king in his hand. Our God does what He says and does what He wants. These two truths are comforting in a day when the world seems out of control. This lesson will teach us depend on a compassionate, faithful, sovereign God who controls all things for His glory.