K.E.Y. Bible Study
K.E.Y. Bible Study is a systematic study of Scripture that equips participants to become acquainted with major Bible truths over a five-­‐year period. Each lesson is self-­‐contained, which means you can join in the study at any time during the five years. Purpose: To teach the most significant events, passages, and doctrines of the Bible in a manner and using methods which encourage and empower the students: To Keep the Faith that we have received Be Equipped to serve the body of Christ Become Yoked in ministry with other believers K.E.Y. Events in the Old Testament April 29, 2015 Ezra and Nehemiah Background The stories of Ezra and Nehemiah are rarely emphasized except during church and Christian college building campaigns. Although the truths of these books are applicable to construction programs, they may be even more valuable to people trying to break and recover from sinful patterns and habits. Without some familiarity with the historical circumstances, this section of the Bible will be very confusing. WHO God is the central character. God is portrayed as one who judged and worked through many world powers and personalities to accomplish His divine purpose. Cyrus was the ruler of the Medio-­‐Persian Empire. God used Cyrus for His redemptive purposes. Zerubbabel was a priest of the house of David and rebuilt a smaller version of the temple in Jerusalem. Darius the Great was a brilliant Persian nobleman who became king. He expanded the Persian Empire and apparently was a strong advocate of the monotheistic religion of Zoroaster. K.E.Y. Bible Study (2014-2015)
Dawson Family of Faith
Bill Johnston
K.E.Y. Bible Study
Ezra was a Jewish priest and teacher who led a group of exiles from Babylon back to Jerusalem. Nehemiah was a Jewish exile, who became a person of prominence while in captivity and asked the king to allow him to return to Jerusalem. He was appointed the governor of Judah. WHERE Most of what is described in this section of the Bible occurred in Jerusalem. By the time the Jews returned from the exile, the land of Judah was less than 800 square miles (compare this to Jefferson County, Alabama, which has approximately 1,120 square miles). WHEN AND WHAT HAPPENED (The dates of these events are so intertwined with the story that they cannot be separated.) • 538 B.C. Babylonia, the captor and destroyer of Jerusalem, came under the rule of Cyrus, the leader of the Medio-­‐Persian Empire. Many middle-­‐level government people were Jews and the children of the Jews, who had been transported to Babylon as hostages. • 536 B.C. Cyrus allowed the exiles to return to their homes. Cyrus provided a more progressive form of leadership than did the former leaders of the Babylonian empire. Although Cyrus permitted the exiles from all nations to return, it is obvious that he gave favored status to the Jewish exiles. The first Jewish exiles were transported to Babylonia in 606 B.C. Please note exactly 70 years later the first exiles returned to Jerusalem, which is consistent with Bible prophecy. God worked through a pagan leader to keep His covenant. • Zerubbabel returned to Jerusalem and completed the temple in 516 B.C. There was constant local opposition to the rebuilding of the temple. People now occupied the land. Ezra told this story, but he was not a firsthand observer. The people faced opposition, distraction, and discouragement. These are the three primary issues people face in recovery. K.E.Y. Bible Study (2014-2015)
Dawson Family of Faith
Bill Johnston
K.E.Y. Bible Study
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522 B.C. (approximately) Darius the Great forbade opposition to the completion of the building of the temple and even provided funding to help finish the project (see Ezra 6). Again, God worked through a pagan leader to keep His covenant. 458 B.C. Ezra, a priest and a scribe, led a large number of exiles back to Jerusalem, instituted religious reform, and gave instruction from the law. He dealt with the issues of the heart. But notice, they rebuilt the temple before they dealt with the religious issues. Sometimes we have to start with the symbols before we get to the reality. This is why going back to church is a great first step for people in returning to faith. Also, many people first give to a building program or to some type of symbol before they can deal with the reality. Both the stories of Ezra and Nehemiah are about God’s faithfulness to his people. 444 B.C. Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem for the third time (13-­‐14 years after Ezra) with the blessing of Artaxerxes, the Persian Emperor. He went to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall. Ezra and Nehemiah worked for religious reform. God again worked through a pagan ruler to keep His covenant. 432 B.C. After a brief visit to Susa, the Persian capital, Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem for the final time. This is the last datable event in the Old Testament. Outline for Ezra I.
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Return from Exile (Ezra 1:1-­‐6:22) Reform Through Ezra (Ezra 7:1-­‐10:44) Outline for Nehemiah I.
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Rebuilding the Walls (Nehemiah 1:1-­‐6:19) Restoration of the Community (Nehemiah 7:1-­‐13:31) REFLECTIONS ON EZRA AND NEHEMIAH • God keeps His covenant. • When we don’t see the provision of God, we are to act on the promise of God. K.E.Y. Bible Study (2014-2015)
Dawson Family of Faith
Bill Johnston