Week 12: Ezra & Nehemiah

Pre-understandings

• These are the books of rebuilding
• The Temple
• The Wall and City of Jerusalem
• Note the recurrence of “God’s favor” on Nehemiah and Ezra
• Note the urgency about the process of building
• Note the importance of Purity for God’s people
• No strangers allowed to help with the rebuilding
• Marriage to foreigners is to be repented of and rectified
• Importance of establishing valid family records for the priests
• Note the priority of Scripture (Gen.-Deut. The Book of Moses) and living according to what is found there
• First occurrence of Teaching Scripture
• Note the importance and recurrence of repentance
• Nehemiah chapter 1 contains a classic example of a prayer of repentance
• Key questions on the minds of those returning:
• “Are we capable of accomplishing the tasks set before us?”
• “Are the tasks worthy of our efforts?”

The tools God uses
Compare the end of 2 Chronicles with the beginning of Ezra:  Cyrus is God’s chosen instrument—as well as Darius and Artexerxes
Lesson:  The sovereignty of God is mightier than world powers and power brokers

Don’t Make the Same Mistakes Again
Muddled priorities because of adulterated worship accelerated by wrong-hearted relationships and “mixed marriages”

Leaders in Ezra-Nehemiah, as opposed to those in Kings-Chronicles are humble, prayerful and focused on the Word and the best interest of the people

Nehemiah 9:17

“But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate;
slow to anger and abounding in love.”

The return of God’s people to the Promised Land and the rebuilding of the Temple and the City of God (Jerusalem) prove that God doesn’t give up on His plan for His people.