Ezra and Nehemiah

EZRA, TEACHER OF GOD'S LAW,
AND NEHEMIAH, BUILDER OF GOD'S CITY
pdf (56 pages)
Dr. Paul Manuel—2017

Outline of Ezra and Nehemiah

"Cyrus Returns the Temple Vessels" by Gustave Doré

I. The exiles' first return is under Zerubbabel in 539 (Ezra 1-6).

A. They prepare to go back (Ezra 1:1-2:70).

1. Cyrus authorizes the (first) return (Ezra 1:1-4).
2. Sheshbazzar leads the return ( Ezra1:5-11).
3. Zerubbabel lists the returnees (Ezra 2:1-70).

Application: Where do you go for help in making decisions? While you should certainly pray, you should also study (2 Tim 3:16-17).

B. They rebuild the main structures (Ezra 3:1-6:22).

1. The exiles reconstruct the altar (Ezra 3:1-6).
2. The exiles reconstruct the sanctuary (Ezra 3:7-6:22).

a. They commence the reconstruction (Ezra 3:7-13).
b. They encounter some opposition (Ezra 4:1-24).
c. They resume the reconstruction (Ezra 5:1-5).
d. They encounter more opposition (Ezra 5:6-17).
e. They complete the reconstruction (Ezra 6:1-22).

Application: If God can make a secular king amenable to the divine agenda, then He can bend any force you may face to accomplish His will (Rom 8:28).

"Ezra Reads the Law" by Gustave Doré

II. The exiles' second return is under Ezra in 458 (Ezra 7-10).

A. They prepare to go back (Ezra 7:1-8:36).

1.  Ezra leads the return (Ezra 7:1-10).
2. Artaxerxes authorizes the (second) return (Ezra 7:11-28).
3. Ezra lists the returnees (Ezra 8:1-36).

Application: Although this world is not your final destination, you have a part to play while you are here that contributes to your present status and to God's plan for His people, a part you play through prayer (1 Tim 2:1-2).

B. They initiate an essential reform (Ezra 9:1-10:44).

1. The exiles have sinfully intermarried (Ezra 9:1-15).

a. The leaders come to Ezra (Ezra 9:1-4).
b. The teacher intercedes for them (Ezra 9:5-15).

2. The people repent and separate (Ezra 10:1-17).

a. Ezra calls for national repentance (Ezra 10:1-17).
b. Ezra lists those guilty of intermarriage (Ezra 10:18-44).

Application: Whether a union begins mixed or becomes mixed the preferred status is to remain married, and the permitted status is to be separated. (1 Cor 7:10-16). Nevertheless, it is incumbent on believers to avoid mixed marriages in the first place (2 Cor 6:14).

"Nehemiah Views the Ruins of Jerusalem's Walls" by Gustave Doré

 III. The exiles' third return is under Nehemiah in 446 (Neh 1-13).

A. They prepare to go back (Neh 1:1-2:8).

1. Nehemiah petitions the king (Neh 1:1-2:6).
2. Artaxerxes authorizes the (third) return (Neh 2:7-10).

Application: You should not be brash when speaking with others about God (Eph 4:2). Yet you should also not be bashful when speaking with others about God (2 Cor 3:12).

B. Nehemiah undertakes the reconstruction (Neh 2:11-4:23).

1. He surveys the damage (Neh 2:11-18).
2. He encounters some resistance (Neh 2:19-20).
3. He distributes the work (Neh 3:1-32).
4. He encounters more resistance and posts a guard (Neh 4:1-9).
5. He encounters more resistance and posts another guard (Neh 4:10-23).

Application: God acts with His people's best interests in mind. It was His modus operandi for Israel, and it is His modus operandi for you (Jer 29:11).

C. Nehemiah addresses various problems (Jer 5:1-).

1. He resolves acute food shortages (Jer 5:1-19).
2. He resists attempted work-stoppage (Jer 6:1-19).
3. He repopulates the capital city (Jer 7:1-73).
4. He holds a special assembly (Jer 9:1-10:39).

a. The people hear the review (Jer 9:1-38).
b. The people heed the review (Jer 10:1-39).

5. He tallies the Judean residents (Jer 11:1-35).
6. He lists the temple personnel (Jer 12:1-47).

Application: There is no command prohibiting usury in the church, but you should exhibit a care for fellow believers that excludes it (John 13:35; Gal 6:10).

D. Nehemiah addresses several problems (Jer 13:1-3 1).

1. There is a problem with temple property (Jer 13:1-14).
2. There is a problem with Sabbath desecration (Jer 13:15-22).
3. There is a problem with gentile intermarriage (Jer 13:23-31).

Application: Are you single and looking for a mate? Avoid unnecessary conflict, which will inevitably arise when a couple does not share core beliefs (Amos 3:3).

"Jews Rebuild the Temple" by Gustave Doré

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah were probably once joined together to form a single record of the exiles' return from Babylon in three waves:

I. The exiles' first return is under Zerubbabel in 539.
II. The exiles' second return is under Ezra in 458.
III. The exiles' third return is under Nehemiah in 446.

Ezra was a priest and biblical scholar (so King Artaxerxes in Ezra 7:21). Nehemiah was a cupbearer in the royal court of King Artaxerxes (so Neh 1:11). The author of the combined work was probably Nehemiah, who joined the personal accounts of both men after his second trip to Jerusalem (c. 430).¹ Both men went to Jerusalem to implement instruction from King Artaxerxes of Persia!² ....

For the Bibliography and Endnotes see the pdf here (56 pages).