Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther

Question 1

Under Persian rule there were 3 specific returns of Jews to the Land of Judah:

1. Name the person who lead each return.
2. Name the Focus of their work

Answer 1

The first was led by Zerubbabel and involved an initial rebuilding of Jerusalem.

The second was led by Ezra who oversaw the re-institution of the sacrifices.

The third was led by Nehemiah and involved the rebuilding of the defensive walls of Jerusalem.

Question 2

What role(s) did Ezra fill in Jewish life?

Answer 2

Scribe and Priest

Question 3

What doctrine is crucial to the book of Ezra and what does it explain?

Answer 3

The doctrine of God’s sovereignty

shows that God can use a polytheistic king of Persia to make possible His will

Question 4

What 3 reminders are found in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah?

(reminders for God’s people that are still helpful today)

Answer 4

to highlight worship as their top priority

to emphasize the need for and use of God’s Word as the only authoritative rule for living

to be concerned about God’s people being seen as holy before the world

Question 5

What did Ezra write about in the book of Ezra?

What did Nehemiah write about in the book of Nehemiah?

Answer 5

Ezra - the rebuilding of the temple through Zerubbable.

Nehemiah - the rebuilding of the wall.

Question 6

In the book of Ezra, leadership is an important theme for the returned Remnant as spiritual, moral, and social restoration takes place:

1. Identify the leaders taking part in this restoration.
2. Identify the particular type of leadership they gave to the people.

Answer 6

The political leadership of Zerubbabel

The priestly leadership of Ezra

The prophetic leadership of Haggai and Zechariah

Question 7

Explain the spiritual application of the book of Ezra.

Answer 7

More than the story of a nation returning to God, Ezra is a book about returning and rebuilding and restoring one’s personal relationship with the Lord.

As in the time of Ezra, such a journey is not necessarily an easy one and can be filled with backsliding and temptations. But the journey home is worth the effort.

Question 8

Who, mentioned in the book of Ezra, is a direct descendant of David?

Answer 8

Zerubbabel

Question 9

How can the adventure of building the wall in Jerusalem be understood today?

Answer 9

It can be seen as part of our spiritual walk of balancing being in the world yet not of the world

Question 10

What balanced theology is demonstrated in the book of Nehemiah?

Answer 10

A balanced theology between dependence on God and personal discipline: prayer and planning and both sacred and necessary.

Question 11

Name the 4 sources of opposition to building the wall in Jerusalem found in the book of Nehemiah.

Answer 11

Mockery

Military threat

Conspiracy

Intimidation through false prophets

Question 12

How long did it take to finish building of the wall in Jerusalem?

According to Nehemiah 6:16, what does this show?

Answer 12

The wall is finished in 52 days showing God’s hand in it

Question 13

The origin of which Jewish festival is found in the book of Esther?

Answer 13

The festival of Purim

Question 14

What 6 reasons, question the inclusion of the book of Esther in the Bible?

Answer 14

1. Purim has never been seen as connecting with Christian truths
2. Some didn’t like the fact that it deals with the Jews who preferred the comforts of Persia rather than returning to Jerusalem
3. God’s covenant name (Yahweh) is not mentioned
4. There is no mention of worship, prayer, or sacrifice (fasting is mentioned)
5. Esther receives no mention outside of Scripture in any secular record so far discovered
6. It is not even quoted in the New Testament

Question 15

By count, which historical book in the Bible is book of Esther?

Answer 15

Last historical book

Question 16

What is unique about the historical content of the book of Esther?

Answer 16

It’s the only book that speaks about the Jews who were exiled that decided to remain in the lands to which they were exiled

Question 17

Who is thought to be the author of the book of Esther?

Answer 17

Mordecai

Question 18

Explain the derivation of the term Jew.

Answer 18

The word “Jew” was derived from “Judah” because of the predominance of this tribe.

Question 19

What 4 reasons are given for the salvation history found in the book of Esther?

Answer 19

God’s unfailing promise to be with and deliver His people, whatever the historical details is evident

The gates of hell shall not prevail (Matthew 16:18)

This is a documented example of Romans 8:28 being worked out in history.

Covenantal faithfulness is shown in that God continued to be faithful to his covenant people even when His people refuse to return from their exile

Question 20

What does the reader notice in the book of Esther?

Answer 20

An unusual number of “coincidences”

Question 21

Rather than seeing the story of Esther merely as God’s providence, what is a better way of seeing what takes place in the book.

Answer 21

It’s better to see Ester as an inspired record of God’s interaction with His people in both judgment and grace toward His overall redemptive plan

Question 22

What is recorded in the book of Esther about the Amalekites?

Answer 22

Ester records the Amalekite’s final effort in the Old Testament to completely destroy the Jews.

Question 23

How does God “act” in the book of Esther?

Answer 23

not in an overt way, but hidden “in, with, and under” the fumbles and foibles of mankind