Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther

Question 1

Under Persian rule, there are 3 specific returns of Jews to the land of Judah.

a. Name the person who led each return
b. Name the focus of their work

Answer 1

1. Zerubbabel - involved an initial rebuilding of Jerusalem.
2. Ezra - oversaw the reinstitution of the sacrifices.
3. Nehemiah - involved the rebuilding of the defensive walls of Jerusalem.

Question 2

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

Answer 2

scribe and priest

Question 3

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

Answer 3

The doctrine of God’s sovereignty

It explains 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

Reminds us:
1. to highlight worship as their top priority.

2. to emphasize the need for and use of God’s Word as the only authoritative rule for living.
3. 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 Nehemiah?

Answer 5

Ezra wrote about the rebuilding of the temple under Zerubbabel.

Nehemiah wrote concerning the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls.

Question 6

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

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

Answer 6

Zerubbabel- political
Ezra - priestly
Haggai and Zechariah - prophetic

Question 7

Explain the spiritual application of the book of Ezra.

Answer 7

More than the story of a nations return 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 backslidings and temptations. But the journey home is worth the effort.

Highlighted:
about returning and rebuilding and restoring one’s personal relationship with the Lord.

Question 8

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

Answer 8

Zerubbabel,

Question 9

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

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

Nehemiah demonstrates a balanced theology between:
dependence on God and personal discipline:

prayer and planning and both sacred and necessary.

Question 11

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

Answer 11

1. Mockery 4:1-3
2. Military threat 4:6-15
3. Conspiracy 6:1-9
4. Intimidation through false prophets 6:10-13

Question 12

How much time did it take to finish building the wall in Jerusalem? According to Nehemiah 6:16, what does this show?

Answer 12

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

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 the book of Esther?

Answer 15

Esther is the last historical book.

Question 16

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

Answer 16

This is 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

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

1. God’s unfailing promise to be with and deliver His
   people, whatever the historical details is evident.
2. The gates of hell shall not prevail (Matthew 16:18).
3. This is a documented example of Romans 8:28 being worked out in history.
4. 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

the unusual number of “coincidences”:

Question 21

Rather than seeing the story of Esther as merely 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

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

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

*****In, with, and under….human mistakes and weaknesses/ flaws in character.