Introduction to Ezra and Nehemiah 8/20/17

Sunday School – Books of the Bible Ecclesiastes Minor Prophets (all 12) Esther Judges (2 Sunday School years)

Possible New Testament Book ROMANS

Possible New Testament Book REVELATION

Possible Old Testament Books 1 CHRONICLES 2 CHRONICLES

Possible Old Testament Book DEUTERONOMY

Why Ezra and Nehemiah? Walls

Why Ezra and Nehemiah? Walls Complete trilogy with Esther

Why Ezra and Nehemiah? Walls Complete trilogy with Esther Historical, spiritual, and prophetic context

Introduction to the Book of Ezra Ezra continues the Old Testament narrative of Second Chronicles by showing how God fulfills His promise after seventy years of exile. Israel’s “second exodus,” this one from Babylon, is less impressive than the return from Egypt because only a remnant chooses to leave Babylon. Ezra relates the story of two returns from Babylon—the first led by Zerbubbel to rebuild the temple (1-6), and the second under the leadership of Ezra to rebuild the spiritual condition of the people (7-10). Sandwiched between these two accounts is a gap of nearly six decades, during which Esther lives and rules as queen in Persia.

Introduction to the Book of Nehemiah Nehemiah, contemporary of Ezra and cupbearer to the king in the Persian palace, leads the third and last return to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. His concern for the welfare of Jerusalem and its inhabitants prompts him to take bold action. Granted permission to return to his homeland, Nehemiah challenges his countrymen to arise and rebuild the shattered wall of Jerusalem.

Introduction to the Book of Nehemiah (continued) In spite of opposition from without and abuse from within, the task is completed in only fifty-two days, a feat even the enemies of Israel must attribute to God’s enabling. By contrast, the task of reviving and reforming the people of God within the rebuilt wall demands years of Nehemiah’s godly life and leadership.

Historical Context Assyrians conquered Israel (2 Kings 18:12) Babylon conquered Judah (2 Kings 25, 2 Chronicles 36) Babylon carried away captives (2 Kings 25) Babylon carried away temple items (2 Chronicles 36:10)

Spiritual Context Idolatry (2 Chronicles 33:1-3, 21-23)

Spiritual Context Idolatry (2 Chronicles 33:1-3, 21-23) Disobedience to God’s commandments (DEUTERONOMY 28:15,36) 15 “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: 36 “The Lord will bring you and the king whom you set over you to a nation which neither you nor your fathers have known, and there you shall serve other gods—wood and stone.

Prophetic Context Warning, prophetess Huldah (2 Chr. 34:24,25) “Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants, all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah, because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. Therefore My wrath will be poured out on this place, and not be quenched.’”’ 

Prophetic Context Warning, prophetess Huldah (2 Chr. 34:24,25) King Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:26-28)

2 Chronicles 34:26-28 But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, in this manner you shall speak to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God of Israel: “Concerning the words which you have heard—because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the Lord. “Surely I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace; and your eyes shall not see all the calamity which I will bring on this place and its inhabitants.”’” So they brought back word to the king.

Prophetic Context Warning, prophetess Huldah (2 Chr. 34:24,25) King Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:26-28) Name of the invaders (Habbakkuk 1:6) For indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans, A bitter and hasty nation, which marches through the breadth of the earth, to possess dwelling places that are not theirs.

Prophetic Context Warning, prophetess Huldah (2 Chr. 34:24,25) King Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:26-28) Name of the invaders (Habbakkuk 1:6) Exiled 70 years (Jeremiah 29:10-14)

Jeremiah 29:10-14 For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.

Warren Wiersbe The Bible Exposition Commentary, Page 604 Bible students don’t agree on the dating of this period, whether it begins with the Babylonian invasion in 606 or the destruction of the temple in 587-586. From 606 to 537-536, when the remnant returned to Judah, is seventy years; but so also is ther period from the fall of Jerusalem (586) to the completion of the second temple in 516. Regardless of which calculation you accept, the prediction and its fulfillment are astonishing.

Topics to cover Kings’ blessing for return of exiles (Ezra 1:1-11, Nehemiah 2:1-8) Opposition to work (ridicule, threat of attack, discouragement, extortion, compromise, slander, treachery, and more) Importance of the reading of Scripture (Nehemiah 8:3,9)

Nehemiah 8:3,9 3 Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. 9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.

Topics to cover Kings’ blessing for return of exiles (Ezra 1:1-11, Nehemiah 2:1-8) Opposition to work (ridicule, threat of attack, discouragement, extortion, compromise, slander, treachery, and more) Importance of the reading of Scripture (Nehemiah 8:3,9) And much more (plug for Sunday School)

Application God’s Punishment

Application God’s Punishment God’s Providence

Application God’s Punishment God’s Providence God’s Protection from opposition (Neh 6:16)

Application God’s Punishment God’s Providence God’s Protection from opposition (Neh 6:16) God’s Promises

Jesus is coming again! AMEN