How History Brings Exile & Return To Life
Why Context Matters
BSF Staff
From The Editorial Team
Have you ever read a passage in Scripture and felt like you were missing something? You understood the words but sensed there was more meaning to discover. When we understand the historical context behind our Bible study, we gain a richer perspective of God’s truth.
This year in BSF we will explore Exile & Return—a journey through the Old Testament books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, and more. At first glance, these books may feel distant. Foreign names, unfamiliar places, and ancient conflicts can seem disconnected from modern life. But when we study them in their historical setting, we begin to see a compelling picture of God’s faithfulness through the ages—and the relevance of His message for our lives today.
Why Historical Context Matters
Every book of the Bible was written in a specific time to a specific people facing specific challenges. Knowing those details doesn’t just help us understand what is being said, it helps us understand why it matters. Historical context bridges the gap between “then” and “now.”
Two Simple Tools: Timelines and Maps
Timelines: See God’s Work Over Time
In BSF’s Exile & Return study, timelines help us piece together the chronology of kings, empires, prophets, and promises. Books of the Bible, read on their own, are certainly meaningful. But when we read them in the context of time, we see God at work in remarkable ways.
When God called Ezekiel to offer a message of hope to exiles on the outskirts of Babylon, He also placed Daniel in the heart of the city, standing firm for his faith before kings and officials.
While God worked through leaders like Zerubbabel and Ezra to rebuild His temple and restore worship in Jerusalem, He placed Esther in a position of influence to rescue His people in Persia.
God’s work on behalf of His people is not isolated to one place, one time, or one culture. Timelines remind us that God works beyond what we can see to accomplish His plans and purposes in ways we could never imagine.
Maps: See How God Moved
Alongside timelines, maps give us this same view of God’s sovereignty, power, and care for His people. From caves and valleys to capital cities, God sent prophets to draw His people back to Himself. From Jerusalem to Persia, from Babylon to Aleppo, God never abandoned His people.
In Exile & Return, thousands of men, women, and children travel hundreds of miles back to Jerusalem. When we place this journey on the map, we can visualize the challenges they must have experienced. When we combine our study of Scripture with looking at maps, we discover that God provided for His people every step of the way. Through hills and valleys, weather challenges, and enemy territory, God never abandoned His people.
When we see how God moved through the chaos of history to keep His promises, we remember that He is doing that same work today. The God who drew near to Ezekiel and Daniel is the same God who pursues us today. The God who used Ezra to lead His people and Esther to save them is the God who equips and calls His people right now.
In this year’s study, we’ll explore timelines, background notes, and maps to frame our understanding. Because the more we know about the world behind the text, the more deeply we meet the God within it. As you study during the BSF break or prepare for Exile & Return, take time to explore the context behind chapters and verses. You may just discover more than you expect.
About Us
At Bible Study Fellowship, we believe people discover their true purpose and identity by knowing God through His Word. That is why BSF offers in-depth Bible studies in community for people of all ages around the world at no cost. To learn more about Bible Study Fellowship, visit bsfinternational.org.
Ready to study God’s Word in community? Find a group that works for you at joinbsf.com.
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Such great information
I am so amazed and comforted and feeling unworthy of our magnificent God. The same through all the ages. From generation to generation. God have mercy on us.
I’m currently reading the Bible chronologically and I’m seeing and understanding things in a way that I never have before, and that’s having read the Bible consisitently for almost 38 years! It reads like the magnificent story that it is.
I have also bought a Chronological Bible so that I can do it again without having to flip through the books and pages of Scripture. You’re going to love it!
I’ve finished a quick read of next year’s chapters using two different Bible versions. I have a Chronological Bible that I plan to read next — beginning with 1 Kings 12 and 2 Chronicles 10:1-5.
I hope these will be a compliment to our BSF summer study. Looking forward to our study!
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Thank you for keeping us informed about the the new study, I look forward to the new study in September. I am taking the new study on line.
God bless you as you continue to work for Him.
Hoping timelines and maps are included in our books this year as a reference at our finger tips
I learned many things since I joined
BSF. I was motivated to share the gospel with my friends and relatives
I also made new friends from the Bible study group.
To God be the glory!
Sad to say, over my lifetime of going to church, most of these books have been neglected. I wouldn’t know where to start were it not for a study like BSF. I am so grateful for your dedication to opening up God’s Word to people like me around the world! May your efforts be greatly blessed and used in the coming year to bring hope in a hopeless world.
Thank you for this blog and encouragement to dig deeper through the use of timelines and maps. Is there any way to download and print the 3 pages you’ve included in this blog article? I’m doing the WordGo study on Ezekiel and it would be helpful if I could print these and have them on hand. Thank you!
The Exile and Return study is already available on MyBSF in the Resources section. If you have access those maps are part of the study.
Revelation is one of the books of the Bible that I have eagerly desired to learn more about, and I’m truly thankful to BSF for providing this study in the previous session. It has helped me grow in understanding and prepare my heart as I wait for the Lord’s return to take those who believe in Him.
I’m also excited for the upcoming study of the Minor Prophets. I believe this will strengthen my faith even more and draw me closer to God’s Kingdom.
I am a BSF member at Westgate Chaple in Toledo, Ohio. I have learned so much and met so many awesome people. God is truly a part of my life
Thank you for keeping us informed. I have always liked that our notes give us history and information about the culture of the period. It is very helpful in understanding the scriptures. The format of programming is definitely Holy Spirit inspired in my opinion. Thanks to all who work on it.
I loved studying the book of Revelation. Best of all hyperlinking the scriptures from prophets who lived hundreds of years BC to the visions that John had. The most exciting being Revelation 16 that mirrored events in Exodus chapters 7-12. Can’t wait for the new study to begin in September
I hope to be able to return this year. My health has been a real problem this year, but this is a new year.
God bless you and hope to see you in September.
Louise may God continue good works in your life and may your health improve so you will be able to join the next study.
To learn about the word of God
I pray for you Sister Louise to be in good health
I am so exited to start Exile & Return with BSF
Thank You for again offer Your followers another new
study to let us grow spiritually in the knowledge of what
offers His People showing them how much He loved them and care for them. Stiff-necked people we are all! But we need His guidance and correction! What a Father and Savior we all have!
I’m looking forward to start a new Bible Study.
Thank for the updates and the preparations you putting us through for our next study. I just can’t wait.!!
I am looking forward to this study. Thank you for explaining it to us. I have been hungry in this way for a long time. I’m so thankful Jesus knows all we need and He provides. I’m so thankful to God in Jesus’ Name for allowing me to be in this study. God bless you in Jesus’ Name.
BSF has increased my knowledge in my Christain growth.
Zion’s Coming Salvation- Isaiah 62
1For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,
until her righteousness goes forth as brightness,
and her salvation as a burning torch.
2The nations shall see your righteousness,
and all the kings your glory,
and you shall be called by a new name
that the mouth of the Lord will give.
3You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
4You shall no more be termed Forsaken,a
and your land shall no more be termed Desolate,b
but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,c
and your land Married;d
for the Lord delights in you,
and your land shall be married.
5For as a young man marries a young woman,
so shall your sons marry you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
so shall your God rejoice over you.
6On your walls, O Jerusalem,
I have set watchmen;
all the day and all the night
they shall never be silent.
You who put the Lord in remembrance,
take no rest,
7and give him no rest
until he establishes Jerusalem
and makes it a praise in the earth.
8The Lord has sworn by his right hand
and by his mighty arm:
“I will not again give your grain
to be food for your enemies,
and foreigners shall not drink your wine
for which you have labored;
9but those who garner it shall eat it
and praise the Lord,
and those who gather it shall drink it
in the courts of my sanctuary.”e
10Go through, go through the gates;
prepare the way for the people;
build up, build up the highway;
clear it of stones;
lift up a signal over the peoples.
11Behold, the Lord has proclaimed
to the end of the earth:
Say to the daughter of Zion,
“Behold, your salvation comes;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.”
12And they shall be called The Holy People,
The Redeemed of the Lord;
and you shall be called Sought Out,
A City Not Forsaken.