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Minor Prophets, Part 3: Persian Period and Restoration

  1. Lesson One
    Obadiah
    17 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  2. Lesson Two
    Haggai
    17 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  3. Lesson Three
    Zechariah
    20 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  4. Lesson Four
    Malachi
    18 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  5. Lesson Five
    OT Wrap-Up (Psalm 119)
    15 Activities
    |
    5 Assessments
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

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The world was at peace while Judah suffered in exile (Zechariah 1:11-12). Terror sent from YHWH came to the heads of the neighboring nations so that peace could come to Jerusalem. 

The city of Jerusalem saw an influx of inhabitants after the Persians took over the Babylonian empire and gave permission for exiles to return. This resulted in houses being built outside the original demarcations of the city (Zechariah 2:4).

The cleansing of Jerusalem involved removing wickedness from Jerusalem (Zechariah 5:5-11). Rather than Jerusalem being the location of rebellion against God’s words, those remaining in Babylon and not coming to Jerusalem would be opposed by YHWH.

The removal of opposition brings rest to God’s people in the north, west and south (Zechariah 6:1-8). The east is not mentioned as Babylon would continue to rebel.

Exiles might have been hesitant to return to Jerusalem given its vulnerable state. But they come from west and east as they see blessings bestowed on Jerusalem (Zechariah 7–8). All times of fasting had been changed to festivals due to bountiful harvests.