Ezra and Nehemiah E-Book

Kathleen Nielson

• Herausgeber: Crossway
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Serie: Knowing the Bible
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 112

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2016

Beschreibung

The Knowing the Bible series is a resource designed to help Bible readers better understand and apply God's Word. These 12-week studies lead participants through books of the Bible and are made up of four basic components: (1) reflection questions help readers engage the text at a deeper level; (2) "Gospel Glimpses" highlight the gospel of grace throughout the book; (3) "Whole-Bible Connections" show how any given passage connects to the Bible's overarching story of redemption, culminating in Christ; and (4) "Theological Soundings" identify how historic orthodox doctrines are taught or reinforced throughout Scripture. With contributions from an array of influential pastors and church leaders, these gospel-centered studies will help Christians see and cherish the message of God's grace on every page of the Bible. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah tell of God's steadfast love toward Israel after their return from exile. The Lord rasied up Ezra and Nehemiah to reestablish the nation by rebuilding the temple and city walls and by turning the people back to his Word. In this 12-week study, Kathleen Nielson shows readers God's mercy and faithfulness demonstrated in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, encouraging Christians toward sincere repentance and persevering hope. Part of the Knowing the Bible series.

Leseprobe

EZRA AND NEHEMIAH

A 12-WEEK STUDY

Kathleen B. Nielson

Knowing the Bible: Ezra and Nehemiah, A 12-Week Study

Copyright © 2016 by Crossway

Published by Crossway 1300 Crescent Street Wheaton, Illinois 60187

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided for by USA copyright law. Crossway® is a registered trademark in the United States of America.

Some content used in this study guide has been adapted from the ESV Study Bible (Crossway), copyright 2008 by Crossway, pages 799–847. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Cover design: Simplicated Studio

First printing 2016

Printed in the United States of America

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Trade paperback ISBN: 978-1-4335-4816-8 EPub ISBN: 978-1-4335-4919-9 PDF ISBN: 978-1-4335-4917-5 Mobipocket ISBN: 978-1-4335-4918-2

Crossway is a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover PageTitle PageCopyrightSeries Preface: J. I. Packer and Lane T. DennisWeek 1: Overview of Ezra and NehemiahWeek 2: The First Return—by God’s Stirring (Ezra 1–2)Week 3: Temple Rebuilding—and Opposition (Ezra 3–4)Week 4: Rebuilding Again—and Resolution (Ezra 5–6)Week 5: A Second Return—by God’s Good Hand (Ezra 7–8)Week 6: People Rebuilding—and Confession (Ezra 9–10)Week 7: A Third Return—by God’s Good Hand (Nehemiah 1–2)Week 8: Wall Rebuilding—in Spite of Opposition (Nehemiah 3–6)Week 9: People Rebuilding—around God’s Word (Nehemiah 7–8)Week 10: Confession—in Response to God’s Word (Nehemiah 9–10)Week 11: Celebration—in Light of God’s Word (Nehemiah 11–12)Week 12: Summary and Conclusion (Including Nehemiah 13)

SERIES PREFACE

KNOWING THE BIBLE, as the series title indicates, was created to help readers know and understand the meaning, the message, and the God of the Bible. Each volume in the series consists of 12 units that progressively take the reader through a clear, concise study of that book of the Bible. In this way, any given volume can fruitfully be used in a 12-week format either in group study, such as in a church-based context, or in individual study. Of course, these 12 studies could be completed in fewer or more than 12 weeks, as convenient, depending on the context in which they are used.

Each study unit gives an overview of the text at hand before digging into it with a series of questions for reflection or discussion. The unit then concludes by highlighting the gospel of grace in each passage (“Gospel Glimpses”), identifying whole-Bible themes that occur in the passage (“Whole-Bible Connections”), and pinpointing Christian doctrines that are affirmed in the passage (“Theological Soundings”).

The final component to each unit is a section for reflecting on personal and practical implications from the passage at hand. The layout provides space for recording responses to the questions proposed, and we think readers need to do this to get the full benefit of the exercise. The series also includes definitions of key words. These definitions are indicated by a note number in the text and are found at the end of each chapter.

Lastly, for help in understanding the Bible in this deeper way, we would urge the reader to use the ESV Bible and the ESV Study Bible, which are available online at www.esvbible.org. The Knowing the Bible series is also available online. Additional 12-week studies covering each book of the Bible will be added as they become available.

May the Lord greatly bless your study as you seek to know him through knowing his Word.

J. I. PackerLane T. Dennis

WEEK 1: OVERVIEW OF EZRA AND NEHEMIAH

Getting Acquainted

Ezra and Nehemiah were, for centuries, received as one book narrating the return of God’s exiled1 people to their land, as under Persian rule they were allowed to resettle and rebuild Jerusalem. These two books cover three different waves of returning exiles, from 538 to 433 BC. But they tell one story: the restoration of God’s covenant2 people according to his Word—which they are now called afresh to obey.

This restoration required, first of all, the rebuilding of the temple and the reinstitution of ceremonial worship. The first leader, Zerubbabel, led the initial wave of exiles back to Jerusalem to accomplish this goal (Ezra 1–6). The second wave came more than half a century later, led by Ezra, who rebuilt not the temple but the people, teaching them—and calling them to obey—the law of Moses (Ezra 7–10).

Thirteen years after Ezra arrived, Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem. He first led the people to rebuild the wall (Nehemiah 1–6). Then, along with Ezra, he sought to restore the people (Nehemiah 7–13) as God’s holy nation, followers of his Word.

The restoration was not complete, however. These books picture God’s people regathered but struggling—they are poor subjects of a foreign king; their city is devastated; enemies oppress from without; sin threatens from within. We see the faithful hand of God mercifully preserving his people according to his promises. We also see the dire need for the perfect fulfillment of God’s promises in the salvation accomplished by his Son. (For further background, see the ESVStudy Bible, pages 799–803 and 821–823; available online at www.esvbible.org.)

Placing Ezra and Nehemiah in the Larger Story

Ezra and Nehemiah give the last glimpse of Old Testament history. It is a desolate glimpse in many ways. This people is the “offspring” (literally “seed”) of Abraham, blessed as God promised, growing into a great nation (Gen. 12:1–7), but then punished for their rebellion through enemies who defeated them and took them into exile. These books show God’s unfailing promises to bless this people, restored to their land and the privilege of worshiping God in his temple. But they are a weak remnant, serving the Persian king, with no sign of the promised eternal king on the throne of David (see 2 Sam. 7:12–17). These books cause us to peer forward to the coming of that King, that Deliverer who would bring blessing through this people to all the nations of the world.

Key Passage

“O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants.” (Neh. 1:5–6)

Date and Historical Background

Because of his people’s unfaithfulness, God had allowed the northern kingdom to be conquered by the Assyrians (722 BC), and the southern kingdom of Judah to be conquered by the Babylonians (586 BC). Both defeats involved exile to foreign lands. When King Cyrus of Persia overthrew the Babylonians, he issued a decree (538 BC) allowing the exiled Jews to return to their land. Ezra and Nehemiah shine a light into the postexilic years, telling of three main returns and three central leaders: Zerubbabel (538 BC), Ezra (458 BC), and Nehemiah (445 BC).

Both Ezra and Nehemiah contain first-person narratives; the stories in Nehemiah are especially substantial and vivid. The author(s) of the remaining sections are unknown. The two books were probably finished soon after the events of Nehemiah, approximately 430 BC.

Outline

Ezra

   I.      Cyrus’s Decree and the First Return of Exiles from Babylon (1:1–2:70)

  II.     The Returned Exiles Rebuild the Temple on Its Original Site (3:1–6:22)

 III.    Ezra the Priest Leads the Second Return to Rebuild the People by Teaching the Law of Moses (7:1–8:36)

  IV.    Ezra Discovers and Confronts the Problem of Intermarriage (9:1–10:44)

Nehemiah

   I.      Nehemiah Leads the Third Return to Jerusalem to Rebuild Its Walls (1:1–2:20)

  II.     The Wall Is Rebuilt, Despite Difficulties (3:1–7:4)

 III.    A Record of Those Who Returned from Exile (7:5–73)

  IV.    The People Are Rebuilt around God’s Word, Leading to Covenant Renewal (8:1–10:39)

   V.      Results of Covenant Renewal (11:1–12:47)

  VI.    Nehemiah Deals with Problems in the Community (13:1–31)

As You Get Started

Read the first chapter of Ezra and the first two chapters of Nehemiah. What common words and themes emerge?

Read through each book without stopping. What stands out? What questions do you have at the start of this study?

We will learn from some great examples of leadership in these books. But for what reasons will it be important to focus on God’s perfect ways, not simply on Ezra’s or Nehemiah’s pretty good ones?

What are some of your specific hopes and prayers for this study of Ezra and Nehemiah?

As You Finish This Unit …

Take a few minutes to ask God to bless you with increased understanding and a transformed heart and life through your study of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Definitions

1Exile– Several relocations of large groups of Israelites/Jews have occurred throughout history, but “the exile” typically refers to the Babylonian exile, that is, Nebuchadnezzar’s relocation of residents of the southern kingdom of Judah to Babylon in 586 BC (residents of the northern kingdom of Israel had been resettled by Assyria in 722 BC).

2Covenant– A binding agreement between two parties, typically involving a formal statement of their relationship, a list of stipulations and obligations for both parties, a list of witnesses to the agreement, and a list of curses for unfaithfulness and blessings for faithfulness to the agreement. Throughout Old Testament times, God established covenants with his people, all of which he faithfully keeps, and all of whose benefits climax in Christ, who inaugurates the new covenant in his blood (1 Cor. 11:25).

WEEK 2: THE FIRST RETURN—BY GOD’S STIRRING

Ezra 1–2

The Place of the Passage

These first chapters set the narrative in its historical context and establish the main action: King Cyrus releases God’s people from exile to return home to Jerusalem and Judah. But these chapters also establish the larger narrative perspective: this is the story of God being faithful to his Word and acting on behalf of his people (see Ezra 1:1).

The Big Picture

Ezra 1–2 tells of King Cyrus’s decree that the people of Judah be released from exile to return and rebuild God’s house in Jerusalem. Gifts and provisions are given, and stolen treasures from the Jerusalem temple are restored—all to be carried home by those listed in a detailed census.

Reflection and Discussion

Read Ezra 1–2, praying for insight as you begin and observing carefully as you go. Then write your reflections on the following questions. (For further background, see the ESV Study Bible, pages 804–807; available online at www.esvbible.org.)

1. The Proclamation of King Cyrus (1:1–4)

First, let’s set this story in context. Turn one page back and read 2 Chronicles 36. Make several observations about how the conclusion of Chronicles connects to the opening of Ezra.

Read Jeremiah 25:11–14 (Jeremiah prophesied during Judah’s fall to the Babylonians). Read also Isaiah 44:24–45:7 (Isaiah foresaw these events a century in advance). What truths about God do these verses reveal?

King Cyrus sent numerous groups of exiles back to their various countries in order to curry the favor of as many local gods as possible. He calls God what the Jews called him: “the LORD, the God of heaven.” What ironies are here in 1:1–4? Compare and contrast the Persian king’s perspective with God’s perspective.

2. Getting It All Together (1:5–11)

Consider the words about God’s stirring up people’s spirits (Ezra 1:1, 5). Why are these glimpses into the activity of God so important here? What difference do these glimpses make to you today?

Find the references to the “house of the LORD” in Ezra 1 and then read about the dedication of the temple in 1 Kings 7:51–8:11 (skim the rest of 1 Kings 8). Briefly sum up what the temple represented for God’s people.

Why is such attention given to these treasures in Ezra 1:4–11? (Read Ex. 12:35–36 and comment on parallels here.)

3. The People (2:1–70)

Read chapter 2. What do you notice? Why are these lists wonderful and crucial at this point in salvation history?