EZRA Cyrus’ Decree and the Return of the Exiles from Babylon The Decree (1:2-4) The Exiles respond to the decree (1:5-11) The Exiles re-inhabit their ancestral homes (2:1-70) Very specific with family names and number of members The Temple is rebuilt in its original place The foundations are laid (3:1-13) Enemies conspire to stall or stop the project (4:1-24) Cyrus’ Decree is re-confirmed and Temple work continues (5:1-17) Darius affirms Cyrus’ Decree and Temple work is completed (6:1-22)

EZRA Ezra (the Priest) comes to Jerusalem to re-establish the Law of Moses Artaxerxes gives Ezra authority to establish Mosaic Law (7:1-28) Ezra brings royal gifts for the Temple (8:1-36) Ezra confronts the Israelites on the Problem of Intermarriage Ezra seeks the Lord on how to address intermarrying to idolaters (9:1-15) The Israelites agree to dissolve sinful marriages (10:1-17) Violators of intermarriage listed (10:18-44)

EZRA The Proclamation of Cyrus (1:2-4) The Exiles return Jeshua and Zerubbabel and their men rebuild the Altar The Temple is rebulit under the management of the Levites, Zerubbabel and Jeshua Outsiders want to be become part of the project (4:1-6) Outsiders write a whiny letter to Artaxerxes and the Temple project is stopped Rebuilding of the Temple resumes under Darius Tattenai tattles (5:17) Darius decrees the Temple project to continue Tattenai told to stay away And the project will be paid for with royal funds Temple completed and dedicated Passover celebrated

EZRA Ezra sent by Artexerxes (and the Lord) to teach the Law to the Israelites (7:6) Ezra given power and money by King’s Decree Ezra brings in the Levites (the priests) Prayer and fasting Guarding the offerings Ezra discovers intermarriage between Jews and outsiders (9:3-15) He seeks the Lord for direction on how to address with the Israelites Ezra confronts the Israelites The people repent and send away wives and children who were not Jews An exhaustive list of guilty parties is mentioned in detail

NEHEMIAH Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem to rebuild the City Walls Nehemiah learns of Jerusalem’s deterioration (1:1-11) Nehemiah is given permission to inspect the City Walls (2:1-16) First signs of opposition (2:17-20) The Wall is built despite challenges and obstacles A systematic strategy is created to build (3:1-32) Opposition intensifies, but building continues (4:1-23) Nehemiah confronts injustice (5:1-19) Outsiders conspire against Nehemiah (6:1-7:4)

NEHEMIAH An exhaustive record of those families who returned to from Exile (7:5-73) The reading of the Law and renewal of the Covenant The Law is read [Ezra] (8:1-8) The people are to be joyful (8:9-12) Traditional Feasts are revived [Feast of Booths] (8:13-18) The Israelites confess their sins and repent, and confess their commitment to the Covenant (9:1-38) The City Walls are dedicated (12:27-43) Nehemiah confronts many problem among the Israelites Ejected Tobiah (Ammonite) from the Temple Offerings were neglected and Sabbaths were broken Intermarriage

NEHEMIAH Report from Jerusalem and Nehemiah’s prayer (1:1-11) The King’s Cupbearer Nehemiah sent to Judah Nehemiah inspects the City Walls Construction and repairs of the Walls begins Opposition to the project arises (4:7-14) Tools in the left hand and weapons in the right (4:21-23)

NEHEMIAH Famine Conspiracy to personally attack Nehemiah Nehemiah Stops oppression of the poor Famine Pawning possessions and forcing children into slavery to make ends meet Nehemiah gives from his own assets Conspiracy to personally attack Nehemiah The Wall is finished Ezra reads the Law A Holy Day is declared Feast of Booths is celebrated The Israelites confess their sins and committed to the Covenant Obligations of the Covenant (10:28-39, 28-29) Dedication of the Wall