Search The Scriptures —Study 3 — Nehemiah 3

Study 3 From the Book of Nehemiah is: Nehemiah 3

Contrast the busy scenes of this chapter with the picture of the walls and gates lying desolate, broken and burned, in 2:13, 14. What brought about the change? (Examine, if possible, a plan of the city as this time.)

1. Note how all classes in the city took part in the work, each being assigned his special place and task. What may we learn from this chapter of the value of (a) thorough organization, and (b) willing co-operation on the part of all?

Notes

1. Verse 5. The word ‘Lord’ should probably be ‘lord’, the reference being to Nehemiah. For the metaphor see Je. 27:12.
2. The century Bible divides the chapter as follows: Verses 1-5, the north and north – west wall; verses 6-12, the west, the west wall; verses 13, 14, the south wall and gates; verses 15-27, the south-east wall and gates; verses 28-32, the north-east wall.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 2 — Nehemiah 2

Study 2  From the Book of Nehemiah is: Nehemiah 2

1.      What is the order of events following Nehemiah’s prayer? What difficulty did he have to face at each stage?

2.      What light does the chapter throw on Nehemiah’s secret communion with God? What grounds was he confident that God would prosper him in his work? Are such communion and confidence lacking in your life?

Notes

1.      Verse 3. Nehemiah had probably broken court etiquette in letting his grief be seen in the king’s presence.

2.      Verse 10. ‘Sanballat’: an important official, probably governor of Samaria. Tobiah may have been his secretary.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 1 — Nehemiah 1

Study 1 From the Book of Nehemiah is: Nehemiah 1

1.     How long did Nehemiah brood over the news about Jerusalem before he took action (see Note 1 below)? Note the sequence of events---one which is often seen when God calls His servants to a particular task.

2.     What can we learn from the example of Nehemiah’s prayer? Note his attitude, his knowledge of the Scriptures, his grounds for expecting prayer to be answered. Dt. 7: 9-12; 29; 30 provide a background to the prayer.

Notes

1.     Verse 1. The month Chislev correspond to our November-December, and Nisan (2:1) to our March-April.

2.     Verse 11. ‘Cupbearer’: a high official, who had the duty of tasting wine before it was handed to the king, lets it should have been poisoned.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 7 — Ezra 9 and 10

Study 7  From the Book of Ezra is: Ezra 9 and 10

With this study we end the book of Ezra and will delve into Nehemiah

1.      For the background to this incident see Dt. 7:1-4. In what ways had the people of God sinned? In what ways is it possible for Christians to commit similar sin today?

2.      What can we learn from this chapter about (a) the responsibilities of leadership; (b) prayer and confession; (c) God’s faithfulness; (d) the cost of repenting?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 6 — Ezra 8

Study 6 From the Book of Ezra is: Ezra 8

1.      How many males, all told, were with Ezra?  These with women and children (verse 21), would make a large company. They had also their goods and provision for the way, many precious vessels and much silver and gold.  The journey was long (7:9) and dangerous (8:31). Would it have been wrong for Ezra to ask the king for an escort? Cf. Ne. 2:9. Why did he not do so? Are we as careful as he to live out what we profess?  

2.      From Ezra’s actions before setting out, what may we learn regrading undertaking work for God? See especially verses 15-20, 21-23, 24-30, 33-35, 36; and contrast Jos. 9: 14; Is. 31:1; Je. 48:10a; Mt. 25:3.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 5 — Ezra 7

Study 5  From the Book of Ezra is: Ezra  7

This chapter begins the second period covered by this book (see introduction). Some sixty years have elapsed since the end of chapter 6.

1.      What do we learn about Ezra from this chapter?  Note particularly the order of the aims in verse 10, and consider the evidence which shows that he accomplished these aims. Have you any similar aims?

2.      What called forth the doxology in verses 27 and 28? Cf. 2 Cor. 3:5.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 4 — Ezra 5 and 6

Study 4  From the Book of Ezra is: Ezra 5 and 6

1.      When the work of rebuilding the Temple had ceased for many years (4:24), by what various means did God cause it to begin again and bring about the fulfillment of His purpose? How does dedication strengthen faith and give guidance for prayer? Cf. Gn. 50:20; Pr. 21:1; Hg. 1: 14; 1 Tim. 2:2.

2.      Note the joy, dedication and worship when the task was completed (6:16-22). Cf. Jn. 17:4; Acts 14:26; 20:24; Col. 4:17; 2 Tim. 4:7; Rev. 3:2.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 3 — Ezra 4

Study 3 From the Book of Ezra is: Ezra 4

1.      Is not co-operation with others in work for God most desirable? Why then did the Jews refuse to co-operate with those who claimed to share their faith and who offered to help them to achiever their great spiritual objective? Cf. 2 Ki. 17:24, 32, 33. See also Mt. 7:15; and contrast 3 Jn. 8 with 2 Jn. 11. 

2.      What was the reaction of the frustrated adversaries? Cf. Am. 7:10; Lk. 23:2; Acts 17:7 for similar incidents. What price did Zerubbabel and his fellow-Jews have to pay for their faithfulness? Do you know of any modern parallels? Note Eph. 6:18-20.

Notes

1.      Verses 1-3. ‘The proposal to unite in building the temple was a political move; for in old -world ideas, co-operation in temple-building was incorporation in national unity. The calculation, no doubt, was that if the returning exiles could be united with the much more numerous Samaritans, they would soon be absorbed in them’

2.      Verse 5. ‘Until the reign of Darius’: (cf. verse 24. It was a period of a bout sixteen years.)

3.      Verse 6:24. Ahasuerus and Artaxerxes are kings who succeeded Darius (cf.7:1). This indicates that these verses refer to a later period than do verses 1-5, and this is confirmed by the fact that the letters of verses 11-16 and 17-22 concern the rebuilding of the city of Jerusalem, not of the Temple. Some think the passage belongs chronologically to the time between Ezr. 10 and Ne. 1.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 2 — Ezra 3

Study 2  From the Book of Ezra is: Ezra 3

1.     As background to verses 1-6, see Lv. 23:23-43. What were the motives and purposes in the hearts of the returned exiles at this time?

2.     In what further ways was the Lord put central in this settling down period? Consider what challenge this study presents to you personally.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 1 — Ezra 1 and 2

Study 1  From the Book of Ezra is: Ezra 1 and 2

1.     First, what definite acts of God can be seen in bringing about this return to Jerusalem? With 1:1, cf. Je 29:10. Then fill in the outline given here, by trying to imagine the feelings and actions of the people concerned. Note, e.g., 1:5, 6; 1:7-11; the links with specific ‘home towns’ and positions; the claims in 2:59-63; the scene in 2:64-67; the generosity and contentment of 2:68-70.

2.     In the light of these two chapters meditate on Jos. 23:14.

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