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Journey Of The Seed - Catch The Bible's Big Picture In 60 DaysSample

Journey Of The Seed - Catch The Bible's Big Picture In 60 Days

DAY 36 OF 60

SEED OF BABYLON

[Scheduled Reading: Ezra 1-8]

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah are significant turning points for The Seed. After a 70-year exile in Babylon, God opens the door for a return to Jerusalem. Notice how God accomplishes this. 

He turns bad guys into good guys. 

Babylonian leaders Cyrus and Darius become God’s instruments to send groups of exiled Israelites back to Jerusalem. 

So instead of playing “bad guy” roles (this is Babylon, right!), they’re “good guys” helping The Seed get back on track.

This is another example of how God gets done what He wants done. And He’ll even use the enemy to do it!

Ezra and Nehemiah are the famous “Good Guys.” 

They both lead a company of men back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and walls and restore worship for Judah. 

When we think of the rebuilding projects, we mostly think of Ezra and Nehemiah. Their names get the most press.

But the first one to lead a mission trip back to Jerusalem was not Ezra or Nehemiah. It was a man named Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:2).

“And who is Zerubbabel?” you ask. He’s a descendant of David - and the one who will carry The Seed forward. (You'll find his name sprinkled nine times throughout Ezra and Nehemiah. 

Can you find them?  : ) 

Zerubbabel is a mostly un-familiar name in the line of The Seed. 

But his legacy is ginormous! And guess what Zerubbabelmeans? Answer: “The Seed of Babylon.”

Zerubbabel (#52), son of Shealtiel (#51), was born in Babylon during Judah’s exile! (Zerubbabel was grandson to the rotten King Jechoniah.) 

The father-son combo, “Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel” is referenced nearly a dozen times throughout the books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Haggai.

Zerubbabel finds favor during Judah’s exile and is positioned as governor of Judah. Zerubbabel not only falls in line of The Seed – but he’s also in a line of history’s famous travelers who help to transport The Seed during various pivot points. 

- Abraham transported The Seed from Ur to Haran to Canaan.

- Joseph paved the way to escape famine in Canaan to Egypt. 

- Later Moses rescued The Seed from Egyptian slavery. 

- After an unexpected detour to Babylon, God used Zerubbabel to get The Seed back to Jerusalem. 

The Seed is going back home to Jerusalem. And Zerubbabel leads the way. 


Tracking The Seed

If you’ve not done so in a while, take the time to update

The Seed Chart through today’s reading. 

Again, Zerubbabel is # 52!  

Day 35Day 37

About this Plan

Journey Of The Seed - Catch The Bible's Big Picture In 60 Days

Grasp the overall Bible story in 60 days! This reading challenge takes you from Genesis to Revelation with four important features: (1) focus on the Seed - the ancestry from Adam to Jesus, (2) a daily Bible reading plan yielding about 33% of the Bible, (3) daily guidance and insights, (4) discussion points for you and your family. (Approximately 20-25 minutes reading/listening per day.)

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