Unit 4 Test Review: Chapters 18-21

Which tribe of Jacob was Ezra a part of? How do we know?

Ezra was a part of the tribe of Levi. We know because the tribe is named after Levi one of the 12 sons of Jacob.

How did the people initially respond after hearing Ezra read the Law of Moses, before they were encouraged? Why did they respond this way?

Initially they responded saying, "Amen! Amen!" and bowing down and worshiping the Lord with their faces to the ground. They responded this way in response to Ezra who praised the Lord.

What did Ezra primarily teach? What was this called? Why?

Ezra primarily taught the decrees and laws in Israel.

What Jewish holiday was established to celebrate Esther saving the lives of her people? How do Jews celebrate?

The Festival of Purim. Jews celebrate by observing two days each year on the 14th of the Hebrew month. They celebrate by reading from the book of Esther, giving money gifts to at least two poor people, and sending gifts of two kinds of food to at least one person.

How were the Israelites forced to continue their work after enemy threats?

The Israelites statined some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. Half of the men did the work while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall and those who carried material did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other.

What special gift did God give to the four Israelites who were chosen to work for the king? What special gift was given to Daniel?

The Israelites were given the gift of and Daniel was given the gift of interpreting the meaning of dream images.

What sin did Ezra discover that the Israelites were committing when he first returned to Jerusalem?

The Israelites were intermarrying with neighboring cultures who worshiped other gods.

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

52 days

How many years after its destruction was the temple rebuilding complete?

Almost 70 years

What did Daniel do to get thrown into the lion's den? Why was the law made in the first place?

Daniel prayed three times a day giving thanks to God going against the decree so they threw him into the lion's den. The law was created in the first place because the administrators and the satraps wanted to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his government affairs but because they could find no corruption the only way they could find charges against him was if it has something to do with the law of his God. So King Darius created the decree.

When a king of Babylon asked Daniel to interpret his dream, how did Daniel respond?

Daniel went to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah and urged them to plead mercy from God concerning the mystery. The mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision then Daniel went to Arioch and asked to be taken to the king to interpret the dream for him. He told him only God in heaven could reveal mysteries and the vision would pass through his mind.

What very important request did Esther have for the king?

Esther's request was to spare her people the Jews.

In Malachi's message, who does God speak directly against for their mishandling of offerings and sacrifices? What sort of sacrifices were they giving the Lord? Why did this upset God?

God spoke directly against the priests. They were offering defiled food on God's altar and making the table contemptible by offering blind and diseased animals for sacrifice. They also flooded the altar with tears and were unfaithful to their wives. This upset God because He wanted Godly offspring.

Who was the key person who set into motion the creation of the orders for all of the Jews to be killed?

Haman son of Hammedatha

What was contained in the last letter that Sanballat sent to Nehemiah? Why did he send the letter? How did Nehemiah respond?

He sent a letter stating that Nehemiah and the Jews were plotting to revolt, and therefore were building a wall. He also said that Nehemiah was about to become their king and even appointed prophets to make the proclamation about it in Jerusalem. "There is a king in Judah!" Sanballat sent the letter to get Nehemiah to respond so they could harm him. Nehemiah replied with, "Noting like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head."

In what way was Mordecai honored for saving the life of the king?

He was brought a royal robe the king had worn and a horse the king had ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. He was then to be led through the city streets.

During the wall rebuilding, who were Israel's enemies? What did Israel's enemies do to intimidate them while they were rebuilding the wall?

Israel's enemies were Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod. They stationed themselves among the Israelites and plotted to kill them as they rebuilt the wall.

Who was the most likely the fourth man in the furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? How do we know?

It was most likely God because how could they have survived a burning furnace otherwise without any harm?

What was the kingdom of King Xerxes like? Provide a few examples?

It was very lavish with a garden with hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother of pearl and other costly stones. Wine was served in goblets of gold with no restrictions.

Why did King Nebuchadnezzar become so angry at Shadrach; Meshach, and Abednego?

King Nebuchadenezzar became angry with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego because they refused to serve hi gods or worship the image of gold he set up.

What caused King Nebuchadnezzar to order the execution of all the wise men in Babylon?

King Nebuchadnezzar ordered the execution of all of the wise men in Babylon because they said it was too difficult to interpret his dream and that no one could reveal his dream except the gods, and they do not live among humans.

Malachi describes a day when the Lord returns, a day that is both "great and dreadful." What day is Malachi referring to? Why is it both "great and dreadful?"

Malachi describes the day the Lord returns as great and dreadful because he knew the judgment of God was forthcoming. Those who dishonor God will be consumed in a furnace of judgment and those who respect Him will be healed and set free.

What did Mordecai encourage Esther to do? What was Esther worried would happen if she approached the king without being requested?

Mordecai encouraged Esther to go into the king's presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people. Esther was worried that she would be put to death without being summoned (which was the law).

Who forbid Esther of revealing her nationality? Why did they do so?

Mordecai forbade Esther from revealing her nationality because she asked for only what Hegai suggested to take to the king and she was summoned in 10 months rather than 12 months that every other woman was held to.

What did Mordecai do to anger Haman so much? Why did Mordecai do this in the first place?

Mordecai told Esther of the plot that Haman had to assassinate King Xerxes and after Haman was given highest honors Mordecai wouldn't kneel or pay honor to him.

What caused the work of the temple to stop for a time? Who helped get the Israelites back to work?

The enemies of Judah and Benjamiin heard the exiles were building a temple for the Lord and they asked to help. However, the people of Judah didn't let them so the enemies discouraged them and make them afraid to go on building and bribed officials to work against them and frustrate their plans. Haggai and Zechariah helped encourage the people to return to work on the temple.

What three groups (tribes of Jacob) headed back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple?

The family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites - everyone whose heart God had moved.

They praised God, singing "He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever." Some people wept and others shouted for joy. What even is being described?

They wept and shouted because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid -- literally and figuratively.

Besides the fourth man in the furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, what other amazing thing happened?

They were able to walk out of the fire that was seven times hotter than usual without any harm to their bodies, their hair, their robes and no smell of fire on them.

Why were Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chosen to work for the king? What did they do?

They were chosen to work for the king because they were Israelites and young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. They were to be trained for 3 years and then assigned to the king's service. The king assigned them daily amount of food and wine from the king's table (royal food). However, Daniel asked the chief official for permission to eat vegetables and water instead of the royal food.

Why did the king and his advisors worry so much about Vashti's behavior toward the king?

They worried about Vashti's behavior toward the king because he summoned her she refused to come and they thought that her conduct would become know to all the women and they would despise their husbands. They thought there would be no end of disrespect and discord.

About how many people did Zerubbabel lead back to Jerusalem? Why was Zerubbabel chosen to be their leader?

Zerubbabel lead nearly 50,000 people back to Jerusalem. He was chosen to be their leader because he was the grandson of Jehoiachin, Judah's next-to-last king, as governor of Judah, which made him the last of the line of DAvid to be entrusted with political authorityy.