Thru the Bible in 24 Weeks
Introduction
The Bible contains stories of the greatest EVILS
. . . . . betrayals, revenge, deception, and
The ultimate Prince of Deception: Satan
The Bible contains stories of the greatest GOOD
. . . . . miracles, achievements, courage, and
The greatest sacrifice for you and me
The crucifixion & resurrection
Of Jesus Christ our Lord!
EZRA, priest & scribe
Date of writing: 400 BC
Author: Ezra
Written in Aramaic
Ezra & Nehemiah a single book in Hebrew Old Testament
538BC: Returning from Captivity (how long did this take?)
Rebuilding the 2nd Temple & Genealogy (why make list?)
Cyrus decree permitting Jews to Jerusalem
(Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon & founded Persian Empire)
EZRA: Returned to Jerusalem, Sent for the Levites &
Temple Servants, Fast to seek Lord’s Protection,
Treasure to 12 priests, Prayer of Confession,
Reconciliation to God thru Confession, AND credited
to establishing “CANNON” – 1st official version of OT
Nehemiah
Date of writing: 400 BC
Author: Nehemiah
Ezra & Nehemiah a single book in Hebrew Old Testament
Rebuilding Jerusalem’s Walls
Ezra recorded building of temple; walls not rebuilt because of laziness of people “back
then”
Nehemiah’s Memoirs – Prayers (11x)
Distress people in Jerusalem; Nehemiah prays & God
answers prayers
Great Revival under Nehemiah – taught & explained law
Nehemiah got officials to cancel debt of poor
Confronted people about their sin
Reinstated Tithing (first fruits) & Sabbath Observance
Rebuked those who married foreigners
ERAS
• Ezra & Nehemiah: between the Exile in
Babylon and the Advent of our Lord Jesus
• Babylonian Empire will soon be succeeded by
the Persian Empire
• Persian Empire will then be succeeded by the
Greek Empire (270BC OT translated into Greek
Septuagint)
• Greek Empire will then be succeeded by the
Roman Empire
Purpose for Ezra & Nehemiah Writing
Of course, rebuilding of temple and temple walls
YAHWEH KEPT HIS COVENANT
RENEWAL OF GODS COVENANT
Religious and social reforms after repentance
God’s presence and Israelite’s understanding of God’s divine
presence – the need of holiness in God’s people, as individuals,
corporately, nationally!
(what about US today?)
Ancient Writing
• Pre-Exile, official secretaries were key figures
in religious and civil administration
• Time of Hebrew Monarchs, experts in the
languages and literature – intl correspondence
• Fall of Hebrew Monarchies – temple scribes
that copied & interpreted Law of Moses (Ezra)
• New Testament (Jesus’ time), powerful
religious and political class & MAJOR
OPPONENTS of the ministry of Jesus, accusing
Jesus of violating Jewish law
Building & Rebuilding the Temple
Moses built Tabernacle, covenant with God
David & Solomon built Temple – Davidic Covenant
Ezra & Nehemiah rebuilt Temple as a reminder of expectations as
they are surrounded by Pagan world – keep the Law of Moses
Nehemiah had lots of resistance with his initiative to repair the
walls – Sanballat (Samarian governor), Tobiah the Ammonite
(Jerusalem aristocracy) Geshem (Arab official), citizens of Arabs,
Ammonites, Ashdod.
Covenant violations of the time: spiritual apathy (don’t care) and
improper worship, divorce, intermarriage with foreigners, neglect
of tithing, moral laxity (COEXIST?), Priest abuse of authority.
Final Thoughts: Your Covenant with God
Moses was given 10 Commandments from God
– Man made 613 rules & regulations from them
David, a man after God’s own Heart
– Not allowed to build temple / sin
Solomon, wisdom & wealth & built temple
– turned away from God and worshipped other gods
What about you?
Next Week: ESTHER
I LOVE THE BOOK OF ESTHER!