1. 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)

2. 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)

4. 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

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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)

10. 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