For the past few years, BSF’s creative team has developed illustrations for each lesson of a study. The aim is to give insight into key aspects of a person, story, or theme for that section of the study. As we were developing the Exile & Return study, we were aware that the content was structured around eight books, each named for a prominent prophet or leader (Ezekiel, Daniel, Ezra, Esther, Haggai, Zechariah, Nehemiah, and Malachi). So we developed large, more detailed illustrations for each character that explore the key elements that make up the book, as well as weekly lesson illustrations that contain these elements.
Ezekiel: Build with Hope
Two inspiring lessons from Ezekiel set the stage for the entire study. Lesson 1 covers Ezekiel’s vision of God and call to a tough ministry, speaking both messages of judgment and hope. Lesson 2 exposits the valley of dry bones passage, where we see God promise to restore life to a “dead” nation—after their exile and into the end times.
Border: Lips (prophetic voice) and wheels (chariot vision)
Images: Bones (dry bones vision); wheels (chariot vision); trumpets (prophetic voice); man (prostrate on the ground after seeing God’s glory)
Click images to enlarge.
Daniel: Build with Integrity
These six lessons on the book of Daniel include the court stories in chapters 1–6 and prophetic portions in chapters 7–12. All the while, we get a picture of Daniel’s long, faithful, prayerful service to the Lord amid multiple tests of his devotion.
Border: Crowns (Daniel’s interactions with the kings)
Images: Hands (Daniel’s prayer life); fire (fiery furnace); lion (lion’s den)
Click images to enlarge.
Ezra: Build with Wisdom
Through four lessons, we see Ezra’s wise leadership and hand in leading the people to spiritual reforms. This book records two waves of return, one led by Zerubabbel and one by Ezra himself. Several books in the study sit within the storyline told in Ezra.
Border: Scroll (Ezra’s teaching of the law)
Images: Scroll (Ezra’s teaching of the law); bricks (temple foundations completed); altar (priestly altar); rain (tears/mourning of the people)
Click images to enlarge.
Esther: Build with Courage
Three lessons tell the familiar and dramatic story of Esther being taken into the king’s harem, becoming queen while remaining silent about her nationality, then courageously standing up and helping to save the Israelite people from extinction.
Border: Goblet (banquets with the king and Haman)
Images: Scroll (edict of the Jews’ destruction); table (feasts); fans (lavish nature of the banquets); hourglass (time running out for the Jews); crown (Esther becoming queen)
Click images to enlarge.
Haggai: Build with Focus
Haggai is the prophet who challenged the stalled, complacent Israelites to reinstate their assignment to rebuild Jerusalem. We cover this book’s powerful call to prioritize God’s agenda over our own comfort in one lesson.
Border: Rings (God would make Zerubabbel like a signet ring as a ruler among His people)
Images: Scenes of finished houses and the unfinished temple, with the temple at the center—showing how it should be the focus
Click image to enlarge.
Zechariah: Build with Vision
Zechariah is the prophet who received eight dramatic visions in one night. He called the people to wholehearted inner devotion to God beyond outward religious formalities. The final two lessons of this six-lesson mini-study contain powerful promises of restoration—about the Messiah, Israel’s denial at His first coming, then their repentance and sorrow when He returns.
Border: Moon and stars (Zechariah received his eight visions by night)
Images: Crown (visions pointing to the Messiah, the King and Ruler over all); lampstands, olive trees, and scales (symbols from Zechariah’s visions)
Click images to enlarge.
Nehemiah: Build with Perseverance
The five lessons on the book of Nehemiah offer an action-packed narrative series recording the opposed yet persevering efforts to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall. This book is full of practical leadership lessons. There’s also a great section on spiritual renewal when Ezra read the law and the people recommitted to God.
Border: Hammers (wall-building) and cymbals (celebration at completing the wall)
Images: Bricks (building the wall); spears (defending the wall); harps (celebrating the wall); grapes (filling the storehouse of the temple with food for the Levites)
Click images to enlarge.
Malachi: Build with Care
The prophet Malachi brought God’s loving rebuke to God’s people, who questioned His love for them. This book, which we cover in one lesson, concludes with verses of hope—awaiting Christ’s forerunner and the Messiah Himself.
Border: Gavel (God’s judgment of the people); hearts (God saying, “I have loved you”)
Images: Cross (Malachi pointing to the Messiah); draped cloth (a hint of what Jesus would do, including the resurrection)
Click image to enlarge.
