Daniel's Prophecy of Seventy Weeks

OUTLINE:

I. THE START OF THE 490 YEARS (9:25).

A. IT BEGINS WITH A COMMANDMENT TO REBUILD JERUSALEM.

1. The decree of Cyrus the Great issued in 539 BC. (Ezra 1:1-3).

a. Permitted the return of the captives from Babylon.

b. Authorized the reconstruction of the house of the Lord.

1. Street =
2. Wall =

2. The decree of Darius in 519. Ezra 6:1-12.

a. It has specific reference to the temple and not the city.

3. The first decree of Artaxeres in 457 BC. Ezra 7

a. Concerned with Jews still in exile (12-13).

b. Provided for temple worship (14-20).

c. Set up educational systems in the land (25).

d. This degree did not provide for the rebuilding of the city.

4. The second decree of Artaxeres 445 BC. Nehemiah 2.

a. Character of Nehemiah

1. Man of prayer
2. Man of faith and wisdom
3. Hard worker
4. Non-conformist

Close: God can and will use a man like Nehemiah!