Ezra, Nehemiah & Esther

Question 1

Name the three specific returns of Jews to the land of Judah under the Persian Rule.

Answer 1

1) First was led by Zerubabbel and involved an initial rebuilding of Jerusalem.
2) The second was led by Ezra who oversaw the restitution of the sacrifices.
3) The third was led by Nehemiah and involved the rebuilding of the defensive walls of Jerusalem.

Question 2

Who was Ezra?

Answer 2

Ezra was a scribe and a priest.

Question 3

Why is the doctrine of God’s sovereignty crucial to the book of Ezra?

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 are the three reminders for us today found in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah?

Answer 4

1) To highlight worship as 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?

Answer 5

The rebuilding of the Temple under Zerubbabel.

Question 6

What did Nehemiah write about?

Answer 6

The rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls.

Question 7

How does the book of Ezra deal with spiritual, moral, and social restoration of the returned remnant?

Answer 7

The political leadership of Zerubbabel.

The priestly leadership of Ezra.

The prophetic leadership of Haggai and Zechariah.

Question 8

What is the spiritual application of the book of Ezra?

Answer 8

More than the story of a Nations return to God, Ezra is a book about returning and rebuilding and restoring ones personal relationship with the Lord.

Question 9

Who is Zerubbabel a direct descendant of??

Answer 9

David!

Question 10

How can the adventure in Nehemiah of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem be seen?

Answer 10

This adventure can be seen as part of our spiritual walk of balancing being in the world and not of it.

Question 11

What does Nehemiah demonstrate for us?

Answer 11

Nehemiah demonstrates a balanced theology between dependence on God and personal discipline: prayer and planning are both sacred and necessary.

Question 12

CRITICAL THINKING QUESTION: What are several sources where opportunity arises quickly from while reconstructing the wall?

Mockery, Military threat, Conspiracy & Intimidation through false prophets

Answer 12

Mockery (Neh 4:1-3)

Military threat (Neh 4:6-15)

Conspiracy (Neh 6:1-9)

Intimidation through false prophets (Neh 6:20-13)

Question 13

How many days does it take to finish the wall?

Answer 13

52 days.

Question 14

What is the theme of the book of Esther?

Answer 14

The book explains the origin of the annual festival of Purim.

Question 15

Why did people question the inclusion of Esther in the Bible?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Where does the book of Esther fall in the Canon?

Answer 16

The last historical book.

Question 17

Why is this book unique?

Answer 17

Only book that speaks about the Jews who were exiled that decided to remain in the lands which they were exiled.

Question 18

Who is thought to be the author of Esther?

Answer 18

Mordecai.

Question 19

Where was the word Jew derived from?

Answer 19

It was derived from Judah because of the predominance of this tribe.

Question 20

How is Esther a real Salvation story and not just about God’s Providence?

Answer 20

• God’s unfailing promise to be with and deliver His people.
• The gates of hell shall not prevail
• 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 refused to return from their exile.
• The reader sees the unusual number of “coincidences”.

Question 21

How should we view the book of Ester?

Answer 21

An inspired record of God’s interaction with His people as part of his overall redemptive plan.

Question 22

What does Esther hold a record of in regards to the Amalekites?

Answer 22

Their final effort in the Old Testament to completely destroy the Jews.

Question 23

How does God act throughout the book of Esther?

Answer 23

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