Exam 3: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther

What does Nehemiah do in response to the report on Jerusalem in Nehemiah 1?

He prays and Acts

What is the key text in Esther and what does it show about God's working?

Through Esther God keeps the Jews from being destroyed. Esther becomes Queen, placed in a position of influence

What do we know about the author and date of Esther?

Unknown

What do we know about the author of Ezra?

Unknown, probably Ezra

What does the nation do in response to Ezra? What does the shocking action of the nation say about Judah's priorities?

~ ~

Why are the first exiles allowed to return to Judah? Why does Cyrus let them go? What prophets are influencing Cyrus?

~Cyrus issues a decree that the Temple must be rebuilt ~He probably had a prophetic encounter ~Daniel and Isaiah

What are the unique characteristics of Esther? What conclusion have some scholars made about the book and its Jewish characters because of these unique features?

~God, temple,law are not mentioned It's never quoted in NT Slow to be put into OT Esther/Mordecai are not very spiritual ~Jews in Esther are Jews by origin, not active in the faith

In Ezra 9, how does Ezra respond to the news of the exiles marrying Gentiles? Why is it such a big deal?

~Mourning and prayer, Solution: Dissolve their marriages ~Even the sanctity of marriage is not as important as the nation remaining separate from Gentile neighbors

What do the people do in response when the foundation is laid for the Temple (Ezra 3:10-11)? What happens to the work after the foundation is done?

~Priests/Levietes Rejoyce, Old men Weep ~It stops for 10 years, until Haggai and Zechariah prophesy it to be finished in 515

What is the purpose of Esther? What is the foundational covenant for the book, why?

~To display God's faithful preservation of the Jews ~The covenant with Abraham

What is the purpose of Nehemiah? What two events stand out in the book?

~To explain the people's obedient response ~Jerusalms' walls are rebuilt under The covenant is "rebuilt" with the people

Why does Nehemiah return to Judah with the exiles in 444 B.C.? Why do they accomplish their mission in only 52 days?

~To rebuild the temple ~Because God and his protection

When do the events of Nehemiah take place?

444

Describe the three returns from exile. (Dates, people, and purpose for returning.)

538:Led by Zerubbable, 458: Led by Ezra 444: Led by Nehemiah

How do the people respond in Nehemiah 8-12, to the reading of the Law?

*Weep and morn *Confess their sin *Sign pledge to keep Covenant *Resettle Jerusalem

What three things are true at the close of Nehemiah?

1) All 3 groups have returned from exile 2) Judah & Jerusalem are starting to get back on their feet 3) The people commit to keep the covenant

What two things have we learned from Esther?

1)The jews (even unbelieving/disobedient) are protected by God 2)God can be trusted to protect his people

What three things are true at the end of Ezra?

1)Two groups of exiles have returned to Judah 2)The temple is rebuilt 3)People recommit to keep the covenant

What do we know about the author of Nehemiah?

Nehemiah, he writes most in 3rd person