Ezra & Nehemiah

When did they lead them?

536 B.C.

Nehemiah 7:1 - Nehemiah 12:43

Establishing the community in Jerusalem

Who was the governor of all of the provinces on the west side of the Euphrates River?

Tatnai

How many months passed from the time Nehemiah heard of the state of Jerusalem until he was able to present his case before the king?

four

Tobiah said that the wall would not support even the light-footed _______.

fox

One of the leaders of the opposition, _______ by name, was allied by marriage to the nobles in Jerusalem and continued to incite enmity against Nehemiah by a letter writing campaign. Nehemiah recognized that the aim of this enemy was: _______.

Tobiah, to put him in fear

On this first day of the gathering, how long did Ezra read in the book of the law?

from morning until midday

From where were they given permission to get anything they might need?

from the king's treasure house

What three commands had God, from the time they left Egypt, given the Israelites concerning heathen inhabitants of the Promised Land?

give not your daughters to their sons, take not their daughters for your sons, seek not their peace or wealth for ever

What was the first nation act?

great Feast of Tabernacles

What can be expected whenever a great work is to be done for God?

great opposition

That day "the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off." What accompanied the rejoicing?

great sacrifices

What did this example speak clearly of?

he led his people in unselfish commitment to the work at hand

Why was Nehemiah's influence strong and decisive with both king and commoner alike?

he moved in the direct leading of God

This report had a profound effect on Nehemiah. What was his response?

he sat down, he wept, mourned, fasted, prayed

What was different about Nehemiah's appearance this time he went before the king?

he was sad

What did the adversaries say would happen to the king if Jerusalem were rebuilt?

he would lose the tolls, tributes, diminishing his revenue from that side of the river

On the wall, half the people wrought in the work and the other half of them _______.

held the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons

Whom did Nehemiah include among those of Israel who had sinned against the Lord?

himself

Nehemiah perceived that God had not sent Shemaiah, but that Tobiah and Sanballat had _______ him.

hired

Who labored with Shallum the son of the ruler of half of Jerusalem?

his daughters

What indication do we have that Nehemiah was constantly in prayer?

his prayer was before the Lord day and night

What doe the books of Ezra & Nehemiah account for?

how people of Israel were reestablished in the land of promise as the congregation of the Lord

What did Ezra know about the worshipers in the temple?

if the hearts were not clean before God, the preparing of the physical temple is in vain

Each laborer was making a stand that might _______.

cost his life

What did the hand of God do for the returning Jews?

delivered them from the hand of the enemy

Wonderful is the unity among the whole congregation at this critical time? It is recorded that the rest of the people _______ to their brethren, their nobles, and _______ which was given by Moses.

clave - entered into a curse, into an oath-to walk in God's law

It is not _______ to weep great tears and pray eloquent prayers.

enough

What was God concerned with?

establishing the purity of the bloodline of the priests who would be representing Him

Sanballat and Tobiah and a third adversary, Geshem _______ them to scorn and _______ them.

laughed, despised

What did Nehemiah promise he would do if the merchants continued to camp outside the city on the Sabbath?

lay hands on them

What is the dominant theme of Nehemiah?

leadership

In Ezra 7-Ezra 10, what did Ezra do?

led the second group of exiles from Babylon to Israel and institued reforms among the regathered Jews

What would happen to anyone who altered the king's words?

let him be hanged on a gallows made of timber from his own house and let his house be turned in a dunghill

What was King Darius' decision?

let the work of God's house alone and let the Jews build it

Nehemiah described the desolation, saying "Jerusalem _______ and he called to action, saying "let us _______."

lieth waste, build up the wall of Jerusalem

Nehemiah 11:3-24

list the chiefs of the provinces who dwelt in Jerusalem

Nehemiah 10:32-39

maintaining public temple worship

What did Shechanian suggest to make things right?

make a covenant with God to put away all foreign wives and their children

What three things did Ezra demand of the people of Israel?

make confession to the Lord God, to do his pleasure, to separate themselves from the people of the land and from strange wives

Who began to weep with a loud voice?

many of the older priests, Levites and chiefs who had seen the first temple

In Nehemiah's absence some of Jews had _______ and had raised _______ who could not _______.

married foreign wives, children, speak in the Jewish language

Remember _______

me, O my God, for good

How often were the burnt offerings offered?

morning and evening

Why was this dangerous?

no sorrow was allowed in the court under penalty of death

Nehemiah rebuked the _______ and _______ and set _______against them.

nobles, rulers, a great assembly

Maturation of the spiritual life is _______.

not an instantaneous experience

Although we might think it is an honor to dwell in the holy city, it was _______.

not convenient because the city was in general disrepair

What problem did Nehemiah address in Nehemiah 13:15-22?

not keeping the sabbath day holy (buying, selling, etc. was taking place)

Secondly, Nehemiah set about to secure the city. He gave two men charge over Jerusalem with instructions to ________.

not open the gates until day, shut and bar the doors, appoint guards

What did the Lord see fit to do?

raise up a new Jewish leader out of Babylon on instruct and correct the backslidden nation of Israel

What did Ezra do on each of the eight days of the feast?

read in the book of the law of God

Around the center the outer life can be formed, what did Nehemiah proceed to do?

rebuild the city walls after the temple had been completed

What three things was Ezra prepared to do?

seek the law of the Lord, teach statutes and judgments

It was through reading in the Law that Israel was led to _______.

separation of the mixed multitude

What is the scene?

set for the culmination of the labor of these days, the dedication of the wall

How did they lead and why?

set out in opposite directions from one point on the wall, met on the opposite side and proceeded to a thanksgiving service in the temple

What did the king and his counselors offer to God?

silver and gold

What happened when the wall was half finished?

the enemy raised a new offensive

What did the laying of the foundation signify for everyone?

the establishment of a new relationship between the Jews and their God

He counseled the people to walk in _______ because of _______.

the fear of God, the reproach of the heathen

How much work had been completed on the temple itself?

the foundation had not even been laid

Ezra 9:6-15 shows Ezra as_______.

the intercessor of Israel

Although work on the temple had not yet begun, what did the people see?

the need for the immediate establishment of the original feasts, sacrifices and offerings

What had God put within the heart of the king?

to beautify the house of the Lord in Jerusalem

What were Ezra's representatives told to say to Iddo?

to bring ministers to us for the house of God

One group said they were forced to take grain they could not afford to pay for. Others had mortgaged their property for these reasons:_______.

to buy corn, to pay the king's tribute

In searching his records, King Artaxerxes found that in the past Jerusalem had indeed been the center of a powerful and very independent nation. What did he command as a result?

to cease building the city

What was God doing?

using the adversaries to try the hearts of His people

Nehemiah began his interview in prayer but ended his account ________.

with a testimony of the Lord's undertaking

How did they rejoice?

with great joy

His reaction was threefold. He was _______ and _______ and _______.

wroth, took great indignation, mocked the Jews

Did the priests, Levites, and all Israel swear to do as Shechanian proposed?

yes

How far back did Isaiah foretell this event?

2 centuries before it happened

What does Ezra describe?

2 separate returns from Babylon to Israel

How long did it take to build?

22 years

How long did it take for the men of Israel to put aside their foreign wives and the children born of those unions?

3 1/2 months

The total number of the congregation of Israel, excluding servants and singers was _______.

42,360

What was the total number of people in the whole congregation?

42,360 (49,867 including servants, maids and singers)

When did Ezra arrive?

458 B.C.

"So the was was finished ....in _______ days."

52

What was freely offered for the house of God?

61,000 drams of gold, 5,000 pounds of silver, and 100 priests' garments

After spending many years of captivity in Babylon because of sin and disobedience to God, the Lord's chosen people were allowed by the Lord to return to their homeland, Israel. How many years was it?

70

Jeremiah 29:10 and 2:12 How many years did Jeremiah prophesy would pass before the return of the exiles?

70

Nehemiah 9:38 is the altar call of the worship service. By this act of consecration the Israelites publicly confessed themselves to be the congregation of the Lord, His people by covenant. Write out the verse.

And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites and priests seal unto it

_______ sanctified them unto _______.

The Levites, the children of Aaron

What question did Tatnai put to the builders?

Who commanded you to build this house and these walls?

Nehemiah personally confronted the rulers and asked them _______.

Why is the house of God forsaken?

Nehemiah dealt with the offenders by direct accusation and he shamed them by contrasting their practices with his own example. He testified that he and others had redeemed the Jews from their heathen masters, and asks _______.

Will you sell your brethren? or shall they be sold to us?

How did Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the Jewish leaders respond to this offer?

Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God

Who is encouraged by name in Zechariah 4?

Zerubbabel

Who is names as the leader of the returning exiles?

Zerubbabel

Who led the first group of returning exiles who laid the foundation of the temple in Jerusalem?

Zerubbabel and Joshua

Who began to build once again?

Zerubbabel, Jeshua

What did these Levites proceed to offer?

a confession to the Lord on behalf of the assembled congregation

What does God demand?

a holy, separated people

Who was Nehemiah?

a layman who dedicated himself to securing the civil prosperity of the reinstated community in Jerusalem

These adversaries were _______.

a mixed race of descendants from the intermarriage of Jews and foreigners who had been dwelling in Israel

revival =

a new beginning of obedience to God

What are some of the outworkings of the joy of the Lord now shed abroad in the hearts of the people?

a new zeal to attend to the affairs of the house of God, a fresh faithfulness to perform assigned duties

What does Ezra 4 show?

a picture of the spiritual warfare that takes place as a believer allows the Holy Spirit to begin a building program in his life

In this instance, how did the adversaries portray Jerusalem to the King of Persia?

a rebellious and bad city, and hurtful to kind and provinces

This is not a list of names but _______.

a record of action

Ezra 8:15-30 describes?

a special gathering of the Jews before they return to Jerusalem

Who came to Ezra out of Israel?

a very great congregation of men, women and children

With true repentance, what must we take to remove the sin?

action

How many of the Jews took part in this feast?

all

What would be the consequences if the proclamation were ignored?

all his substances would be forfeited and he would be separated from the congregation

For whom was the passover killed?

all the children of the captivity, all the priests and Levites

Nehemiah 7:6-65 is _______.

an accounting of the people grouped by their city and by the Levitical offices (register first given in Ezra 2)

Nehemiah 3

an enumeration of those called and chosen for this work

Nehemiah 10:30-31

apply to personal and social life

What was Ezra's reaction?

astonished, he rent his garment, pulled out his hair

When did Nehemiah return?

at the time of the dedication of the wall

What were the three points of Nehemiah's exhortation to all the people?

be not afraid of them, remember the Lord, fight for your brethren

What four things had God's mercy allowed the Jews to do?

be revived, to set up the house of God, to repair the desolations, to have a wall in Judah and Jerusalem

Nehemiah was willing to do what for God?

be the tool God used in pleading before the king for Jerusalem

To unite with these foreigners, it would have done what?

been the first step of compromise for the Jews

What did Ezra do?

began the work of restoring public worship

Some families were further reduced to:_______.

bring their sons and daughters into bondage to be servants

Preparations for defense were so complete that the enemy knew that God had _______ and the planned attacks were never made.

brought their counsel to nought

Teams labored shoulder to shoulder along the wall. What actions words dominate Nehemiah 3?

build, repair

What were the Jews told to buy with the gold and silver?

bullocks, rams, lambs and whatever seemed good to them after God's will

How did Rehum, Shishai and their companions stop the work on the temple?

by force and power

Not every worker is mentioned, the Lord is _______.

careful to record by name each one who sets himself apart unto His purposes

What action did Nehemiah take?

cast out all Tobiah's stuff, had the chambers cleansed and brought again the vessels of the house of God with the meat offering and frankincense

Immediately after the foundation was laid, what did the adversaries do?

caused all work on the temple to cease for four years until the second year of Darius

The allied enemies of the Jews in Jerusalem sought to draw Nehemiah away from the work at hand into a place of personal peril, saying _______.

come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono

This was true heartfelt worship. What three aspects of worship do we see in Nehemiah 9:2 and 3?

confessions of sins, reading of the word of God, worshiping the Lord

What is the first step in building or rebuilding a life for God?

creating a dwelling place for God

What did he do?

cried out for forgiveness as he took the sin of the nation upon himself, though he was innocent

Certain Levites stood on the stairs or raised platform and _______.

cried with a loud voice unto the Lord their God

What threatened to destroy the whole work?

crucial internal problems - disunity and discontent among the brethren

What did he do after seeing?

dispatched an objective letter to King Darius, the current ruler in Persia

What were the people doing?

establishing their own cities and homes, but they did not forget their original purpose for returning to their land

What did he do as governor?

exerted much personal influence and worked hand in hand with Ezra (scribe) over a period of 12 years

What did he and his fellow travelers do instead?

fasted and sought God

On the twenty fourth day of this month, the Israelites assembled again, this time not with feasting but with _______.

fasting

On the second day of this gathering, they found where it was written that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month. What was the name of this feast? Lev 23:34

feast of tabernacles

What feast was kept with joy for seven days?

feast of unleavened bread

Nehemiah prayed through to action. At the end of the prayer, his thoughts turned to the king and his court where Nehemiah served, _______.

for it was in this court that God would begin to answer Nehemiah's prayer

Why had the Israelites been given into the hand of other nations and suffered so much at their hand?

for their iniquities

How did Nehemiah deal with these offenders?

he contended with them, reviled them, beat some of them, pulled out their hair, made them swear by God not to allow their sons and daughters to marry the Jews

From Nehemiah 5:15-18, list four specific unselfish acts Nehemiah mentions as part of his personal contribution to the cause.

he didn't take his pay as the governor, he continued to work on the wall with his servants, he didn't buy land, he fed 150 Jews and rulers at his table plus others

Why was Ezra ashamed to ask the king for an armed escort?

he had confidently asserted to the king that God had his hand on the Jews and would protect them

Did he hear complaints from the adversaries about the revival of the work on the temple?

he may have

What did Nehemiah know?

in a spiritual sense, eternal vigilance is the price of liberty

When did the people start building the temple?

in the second year after they came to Jerusalem, in the second month

Nehemiah, Ezra and the Levites encouraged the people to cease their mourning, for this day was holy and a time of _______.

joy

What was to happen to anyone who did not obey God's law of the king's law?

judgment executed speedily - or - death, banishment, confiscation of goods or imprisonment

Although some men accompanied him on his survey of the walls, which words reveal that Nehemiah still bore the burden of this task alone?

neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do

The king saw the depth of Nehemiah's feeling. He said it was _______.

nothing else but sorrow of heart

What is the chronology of Nehemiah 13 (the last chapter)?

obscure

What is this secret?

of an effective Christian

What proportion of the population were to live there?

one tenth

How is it completed?

only by time, trials and continuous yieldings to the hammer and chisel of the Holy Spirit

What was almost constant throughout Ezra and Nehemiah's time?

opposition by trickery or force

Although we may claim to be Christians, unless the sin-cleansing, untainted blood of Jesus Christ flows through us, what will happen?

our names will not be found in the Book of Life and we can have no part in His royal priesthood

What did the prophet Haggai do?

painted a picture of a people concerned only with their own houses and lands while God's house still lay in waste and ruin

Nehemiah 13:4-14

parenthetical interjection in which Nehemiah relates how he had dealt with some of the problems before

What three people had not separated themselves from the heathen?

people of Israel, the priests, the Levites

The newly united Israelites now undertake to _______.

populate the city of Jerusalem

The first order of business after the wall was completed was to appoint: _______, _______, _______.

porters, singers, Levites

Nehemiah was a man accustomed to _______.

pray

The stage had been set. God had given Nehemiah favor in the sight of the king. What was the first thing Nehemiah did when the king suddenly asked what his request was?

prayed

How did the workers on the wall respond to this crisis?

prayed to their God, set a watch against them day and night

What mighty weapon of warfare did Nehemiah immediately put to use? II Corinthians 10:4

prayer

What was his first resort and his final word in just about every situation?

prayer

While Nehemiah was away in Persia, what special favor had Eliashib shown to Tobiah?

prepared a great chamber for him in the house of God

What is the powerful testimony of Ezra?

prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments

What was Ezra's occupation?

priest and scribe

What two groups were the chief offenders?

princes, rulers

Apparently several prophets had used similar devices on Nehemiah, all with the purpose of _______.

putting fear in him

Nehemiah was now led of the Lord to _______.

reckon by genealogy all the returned Jews living in Palestine

Nehemiah 11:25-36

record some of the major towns inhabited by the rest of Israel

What was the way back to Israel filled with?

robbers, and the returning exiles brought with them much treasure

The workers came from many towns in Palestine and from many different walks of life. List four occupations represented among the workers of the wall.

rulers, priests, goldsmiths, merchants

The _______ and the _______were encouraged to be faithful to their set offices.

singers, porters

Why was the king so generous to the returning Jews?

so the wrath of God wouldn't come upon his kingdom

Who went with Ezra to Jerusalem?

some of the children of Israel, priests, Levites, singers, porters and the Nethinims

How much time elapsed between Ezra 2 and 3?

some time

What does Nehemiah record towards the end of Nehemiah 10?

specific observances of the Law of Moses which the Israelites now oblige themselves to fulfill

How did Tatnai and his companions perform the word of the king?

speedily

Where was Nehemiah?

spent a season at the court of Artaxerxes

Certain other Levites led the people in worship, saying _______.

stand up and bless the Lord your God for ever and ever

As God's people set about building in the kingdom, the enemy was ______.

stirred into opposition

When Ezra opened the book and blessed the Lord, the great God, how did the people respond?

stood up, answered Amen, lifted up their hands, bowed their heads, worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground

What do we do with God's word?

studied, practiced, and then perpetuated through teaching in the lives of others

In Leviticus 25:35-38, it says _______.

such practices were in direct opposition to the special provisions for the poor given in the Law of Moses

Nehemiah 12:1-26

summary record of the rulers, priests and Levites from the early days of the exiles' return under Zerubbabel to the time of Nehemiah, the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe

Nehemiah looked at the situation and rose up and turned the builders into warriors. Families were equipped with three things. What were they?

swords, spears, bows

What instructions were given to Sheshbazzar (Zerubbabel) when he was given the vessels?

take these vessels into the temple in Jerusalem and let the house of God be builded

In the closing section of Nehemiah 5, what did Nehemiah testify to?

that during the 12 year period he served as governor he had never taken the governor's salary or eaten the food allotted for the govenor

What did the king command concerning the tribute money?

that expenses be taken out of it for the building of the temple

The fifth time Sanballat asked Nehemiah to take counsel with them, he reported a rumor about the ambitions of Nehemiah and the Jews. What was this rumor?

that he and the Jews were rebels and just wanted to build the wall so he could be their king

Though Ezra had sent out messengers asking for Levites, what did he recognize?

that it was God who called and drew these priests to make the journey back to their homeland

What did Tobiah mockingly say?

that the rebuild wall would not support a fox

What proclamation was made throughout Judah and Jerusalem?

that they would gather themselves together in Jerusalem

What two things did Nehemiah ask about?

the Jews, Jerusalem

Nehemiah, as the Tirshatha, is the first one recorded among those who sealed, or endorsed the covenant. Besides individuals listed, these groups were in the sealing: _______, _______.

the Levites, the chiefs

Who stirred up Cyrus' spirit?

the Lord

Who had given Cyrus the kingdoms of the earth?

the Lord God of heaven

Gifts from three sources are listed in Nehemiah 7:70-72. What are they?

the Tirshatha (governor), chief of the fathers, the rest of the people

Who heard that the children of Israel were building a temple?

the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin

What happens immediately?

the adversary opposes this restoration project by various methods

What did the priests build first, and for what purpose?

the altar, to offer burnt offerings according to the law

What did the people ask Ezra to present before them?

the book of the law of Moses

Who rose up to build the house of God in Jerusalem?

the chiefs of Judah and Benjamin, the priests, the Levites and others whose spirits God had stirred up

Who attended the dedication of the house of God?

the children of Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity

What problems faced the newly fortified city?

the city was very large but with few people and the houses weren't built

What was Nehemiah's answer when the king asked why he looked sad?

the city where my fathers are buried lies waste

Nehemiah 6 records _______.

the completing of the wall and documents four areas of conflict that beset him during this time

What did Tatnai ask the king to search for?

the decree made by Cyrus to build the temple

Why did the king grant Ezra all of his requests?

the hand of the Lord of God was upon him

What was this a celebration of?

the ingathering, or completion of the harvest and typifies the time when the Jews will be gathered together in Jerusalem forever under the leadership of the Lord Jesus Christ

What had the vessels of the temple been used for in Babylon?

the king used them to drink wine at his feast

What does Ezra 7:12-26 record?

the king's permission for the exiles to return and also the gifts and the special authority that the king gave to Ezra

What was a very stirring time for all Jews?

the laying of the foundation

What did the children of Israel forgotten?

the lessons that God had taught them through the fall of their kingdom and their 70 years of captivity

What did King Darius want the Jews to pray for?

the life of the king and his sons

What did Eliashib have to remove in order to do this?

the meat offerings, frankincense, the vessels, the tithes of corn, the wine and oil

Besides the names and numbers carefully being recorded, what else was written in the official account?

the offerings given unto the work

Who halted the work?

the oppostion

When Nehemiah began to speak the burden of the Lord that was upon him, what happened?

the people began to rally, to take heart and to join in the battle

What reason did Nehemiah give for the Jews' success in building the wall?

the people had a mind to work

Ezra 8:1-14 lists who?

the people who were making the journey to Israel with Ezra

When the nobles and the rulers fully agreed to cease from usury and restore the mortgaged property, what other group of leaders did Nehemiah single out to join in this resolve?

the priests

Though the Shekinah glory of God was not manifested during the second dedication, what was?

the promise of a future and far greater glory has been given by the prophet Haggai

What did diligent search reveal?

the record in one of the Median palaces

In what condition were these things?

the remnant was in great affliction and reproach, the wall of Jerusalem was broken down and the gates burned

Nehemiah lists the classes of people who did not understand his mission in Nehemiah 2:16. Who were they?

the rulers, the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the rest of the workers

What did they fall back into?

the same sins that originally caused their downfall

Who did the Jews say they were?

the servants of God

Everyday all the needs of the temple ministers were met by a great chain of blessing. All Israel gave portions of _______.

the singers and porters

Whom did Ezra discover was missing?

the sons of Levi

Ezra 4:6-24 discusses what?

the story of one instance of the opposition raised by the adversaries

What else was given to them?

the vessels for the service of the house of God

What possessions did Cyrus return to the Jews?

the vessels of the house of the Lord

What do we see here?

the vital signs of real revival

Who joined the men in rejoicing?

the wives and children

Not everyon accepted the challenge. What did the nobles of the Tekoites miss out on?

the work of the Lord

Nehemiah correctly identified the reports as lies, and assessed the effect they were calculated to have on the workers in Jerusalem, namely ________.

their hands shall be weakened from the work that it be not done

We can see from Nehemiah 11:3, 20 that it was a sacrifice to move to Jerusalem. What was one of the things these individuals had to give up?

their inheritance (their property)

What did the adversaries soon show?

their true colors

Nehemiah's final recorded prayer is in 2 parts: Remember -______.

them, O my God.

The priests and the Levities purified _______, _______, _______, and _______.

themselves, the people, the gates, the wall

How did the congregation respond?

they agreed to do what he said ("as thou has said, so we must do")

How were the Levites and singers affected by the failure of the people to provide their portion?

they all had left to go work their own fields

How did the rest of the Israel regard those who went to live in Jerusalem?

they blessed them

How did the people choose who was to dwell in Jerusalem?

they cast lots

What were these unregistered priests forbidden to do?

they could not eat of the most holy things

Why were certain of the Levites considered polluted and put from the priesthood?

they couldn't establish their genealogy, were not registered

The people were brought to a place of rejoicing because ______.

they had understood the words that were declared unto them

Eliashib the high priest and his brethren the priests did four things. What were they?

they rose up. they built the sheep gate, sanctified it, set up the doors

What did these adversaries say they wanted to do?

they wanted to build with them

In what three ways did the adversaries next trouble the Jews?

they weakened the hands of the people of Judah, they troubled them in building, they hired counselors to frustrate their purpose

What did all the people do when they heard the words of the Law?

they wept

When all enemies and all the heathen learned that the wall was finished, their reaction was twofold: _______, _______.

they were cast down in their own eyes, they perceived that this work was wrought of God

What was Sanballat's mocking estimate of the people in Jerusalem?

they were feeble Jews

What did he take advantage of?

this occasion to reform certain abuses which had crept into the life of the people in his absence

Up to this point, Nehemiah had been alone, in his decision to go and in his wrestling with God but _______.

this was no longer the case

What was the new offensive?

three nations conspired against Jerusalem and put an end to its reconstruction

Nehemiah assembled the princes upon the wall and appointed _______.

to great companies to give thanks

What was the purpose of Shemaiah's deception?

to make Nehemiah afraid, to make him sin, and they would have an evil report about him as a reproach

Why did he come to Jerusalem?

to see exactly what was taking place

Why did Ezra call a fast?

to seek God for direction (a right way)

Nehemiah boldly asked three things of the king. What were they?

to send him to Judah to rebuild the city, give him letters to the governors for safe passage to Judah, timber from the king's forest to make the beams for the gates and wall of the city

What was not imposed upon the priests, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of the house of God?

toll, tribute or custom

What does this scene represent?

tremendous heroism

With the walls fortified and the city secure, where was attention now?

turned to reestablishing a public worship in Israel

Who triumphantly marched along the top of the whole circumference of the wall?

two great crowds of singing worshipers

Nehemiah stated that he and his brethren had lent money and corn for which they, too, could collect interest: but he chose not to, saying, "I pray you, let _______ leave off this usury."

us

Nehemiah was _______.

very angry

Once again, these vessels were set apart to be used as _______ of the house of God.

vessels

Those remaining in Babylon had a part in the restoration of God's temple also. What items were willingly offered to the returning Jews?

vessels of silver and gold, goods, beasts and precious things

Nehemiah's testimony is that _______.

victory is wrought only by winning battles

In Matthew 26:41, Jesus exhorts us to _______ and _______.

watch, pray

Sanballat heard that _______.

we builded the wall

In Corinthians 9:7-15, Like Nehemiah Apostle Paul denied himself the material rights due him as a minister so that none could mistake his motive. In 12, Paul summarizes his position, saying, "Nevertheless _______."

we have not used this power, but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ

What final promise do the people make regarding public worship?

we will not forsake the house of our God

Some who had seen the original temple did what at the remembrance of the former glory?

wept

What were the Jews to be given?

what they needed: bullocks, rams, lambs, wheat, salt, wine and oil

When were they considered priests?

when their authenticity could be established by divine revelation

So we labored in the work, Opposition from the enemy had only served to increase the unity, resolve and strength of the workers. List three further measures that were taken to ensure the safety of the people.

when they heard the trumpet they were to gather to protect each other, lodge within the city and have a guard posted at night, remain clothed at all times except washing

Everyone working on the wall with one hand _______ and with the other hand _______.

wrought in the work, held a weapon

How many years are there between Ezra 6 and Ezra 7?

~57 years

Isaiah 44:24-25:6 Nearly 200 years before Israel was to be freed from their captivity in Babylon, Isaiah named the king who was to be the Lord's instrument in their deliverance. What was his name?

Cyrus

Just as the Lord used Zerubbabel and Jeshua to lead His people in the restoration of the physical temple, He used _______ to lead in the restoration of the spiritual temple.

Ezra

Who joined Nehemiah in leading the people in worship?

Ezra

Who was to appoint magistrates and judges?

Ezra

What two men of seven did the Lord use to reestablish His people in their promised Land after the Bablylonian captivity?

Ezra & Nehemiah

What chapters deal with the initial return led by Zerubbabel?

Ezra 1-6

As the people began to make preparation to return to Israel, what was tested?

Ezra's faith

_______ and _______ were both men of action, leaders among men, whose bold stand for God in the public arena was founded on intimate standing in the presence of God.

Ezra, Nehemiah

Who wrote Ezra?

Ezra, the priest

1 Corintians 16:9

For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

Although this time God had been merciful and allowed the Israelites to return to their land, what did Ezra feel would probably happen if they sinned again as they had before?

God would be angry with them and consume them until there would be no remnant left

The nation had just experienced years of torment because _______.

God's commands had been consistently disobeyed

_______ and just dealing was contrasted with the disobedience and backsliding of His people.

God's faithful

What is seen through the use of a heathen king to reestablish the nation of Israel in her own land?

God's sovereign hand

Under the preaching of _______ and _______, work on the temple resumed and the building was completed in five years.

Haggai, Zechariah

Though their religious worship included Jehovah, _______.

He was only one of the many gods they acknowledged

What reason did Nehemiah send back why he would not meet with them?

I can't cease my work and leave it

Ezra - Ezra 7:28

I was strengthened as the hand of the Lord, my God, was upon me.

Nehemiah reminded the Lord of a promise He had made to His people through Moses. What was it?

If you transgress against God, He will scatter you among the nations; but if you turn to me and keep my commandments, I will gather all those who have been scattered and bring them back to the place that I have chosen.

Where did the people gather together?

Jerusalem

Whom do we see at this time standing with Zerubbabel as a leader among the people?

Jeshua (Joshua)

Who is encouraged by name in Zechariah 3?

Joshua - the high priest

Laborers were assigned to care for the offerings gathered as the portions for the priests and Levites because _______.

Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levites who served them

When he testified of the blessings he had received from both the Lord and the king, suddenly Nehemiah's "I" became the "we" of the people. They said _______.

Let us rise up and build

Who were the first to be summoned to prepare for the celebration?

Levites, singers

Nehemiah's take-charge attitude is evident in the very opening statement of this story. Who asked for an account from the men of Judah?

Nehemiah

Who began reconstruction of the city in 445 B.C.?

Nehemiah

God's wonderful provision in the wilderness

Nehemiah 9:12-15

Israel's proved rebellion

Nehemiah 9:16-18

God's continued faithfulness in the wilderness

Nehemiah 9:19-21

God causes Israel to take Promised Land

Nehemiah 9:22-25

Israel's continued rebellion

Nehemiah 9:26

Israel's bondage and God's deliverance

Nehemiah 9:27

Israel's repeated rebellion

Nehemiah 9:28-30

Declaration of God's mercy and grace

Nehemiah 9:31

Plea for mercy and grace at this time

Nehemiah 9:32

Confession of God's righteousness and the people's sinfulness

Nehemiah 9:33-37

God, the Glorious Creator of Heaven and Earth

Nehemiah 9:6

God's faithful dealing with Abraham

Nehemiah 9:7-8

God delivers Israel from Egypt

Nehemiah 9:9-11

Who led these groups?

Nehemiah and Ezra

It was important for ______, to be exemplary in every area of his own life, including his material offerings.

Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, as a leader of the people

Nehemiah - Nehemiah 6:9

Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands

Write out the pointed prayer Nehemiah voiced at this time.

Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands

Who found this to be true in Ephesus?

Paul

Now his enemies began to be revealed. What two are mentioned in Nehemiah 2:10?

Sanallat, Tobiah

What happened afterwards?

Shemaiah summoned Nehemiah to another meeting, a private one, behind the locked doors of the temple, where he would be safe from attacks on his life

Nehemiah 1-Nehemiah 6

Building the walls and the gates

Who first made the decree to build the house of God?

Cyrus

Why did they rejoice?

God had made them rejoice

Is God's requirement less stringent for His people today?

No

They sanctified holy things unto _______.

the Levites

What was offered at the dedication service?

100 bullocks, 200 rams, 400 lambs, and 12 he goats for a sin offering for all Israel

When was this?

15 years later

Again and again we see in Nehemiah's short, direct prayers the heart of a man in close connection with God. Whom does he expect to reward him for all he had done in behalf of the Lord's people?

God

Summarize God's proclamation of Ezra 1:2-4.

God has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and changed me to build a house for him in Jerusalem. Anyone who will go to Jerusalem to build may do so and God be with him. Anyone who wants to stay where he is may do so and may help with the building by giving money, goods, materials or animals.

When was the Feast of Tabernacles celebrated?

In the 7th month on the 1st day of the month

In 436 B.C., who came to exhort the people to faithful service and holy living?

Malachi

When was the temple completed?

March 515 B.C.

Nehemiah 12:44-Nehemiah 13:31

Reforming abuses

But now Nehemiah was not a lonely laborer. He answered the adversaries as a leader among the hosts of the Lord. What did he say?

The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build

Haggai 2:9

The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: an in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts

Describe what took place when the foundation was laid.

The priests came out with their garments on and played trumpets. The Levites played on cymbals, the singers sang, and all the people shouted and praised the Lord

Who was an avowed enemy of Nehemiah?

Tobiah, a sower of discord among the Jewish brethren