Ezra and Nehemiah

2nd and 3rd Return

1st under Zerubbabel

2nd under Ezra

3rd under Nehemiah

Post-exilic prophets written in this time

Timeline of Persian Kings (from www.thecollector.com)

Cyrus the Great (r. 550-530 BC); Cambyses II (r. 530-522 BC); Darius I The Great (r. 522-486 BC): Xerxes I (r. 485-465 BC); Darius II (r. 424-404 BC); Artaxerxes II (r. 404-358 BC); Darius III (r. 336-330 BC)

Name Games

Ahasuerus = Xerxes, reigned 486-465 BC

Noted in E. 4:6 as something of a flashback during the 1st return, at the edict of Cyrus

…sets up the saga of a second episode of harassment

Father of Artaxerxes, reigned from 465-424 BC

One Book or Two?

Josephus & Jerome as well as the Talmud considered it one work

However, there is some duplication, which argues against that

Both books are quite selective about what they choose to ell us

We’ll discuss them separately

Ezra

Most often credited to Ezra himself

Ezra becomes the dominant figure in the 2nd half of the book, shows up in Nehemiah as well

Ezra is one of the least scholastically argued books since it was translated to Greek within 200 years of so of having been written

He returned with the purpose of rebuilding the temple

He had a commission from the king E. 7:25

He was the 1st reformer

Four Main Themes

The theology of their history—overwhelming evidence of God’s love for them and Providence

Continuity—the returning exiles continued the faith and practice of their heritage going back to Abraham…and beyond

Progress of restoration—we can note the three separate edits for their return (must note that Cyrus started it, based upon a prophecy from many years before his time

Relationships—though in subjection to Persian kings, the Jews did as good subjects of the king; and were rewarded for it with God’s faithfulness

Along the way, Ezra has to deal with opposition and fights some tough battles: 9:1-2 is the tough one

Nehemiah

Most scholars agree that he wrote it

Cup-bearer to the king: a position of privilege, some power, and likely wealth

Came under conviction: the wall needed to be repaired N. 1:1-3

(if you don’t want to know, don’t ask the question; if you ask, what are you going to do? )

Prayed, made a 1st plan; we don’t see much more praying…but we see further planning

…cannot deny divine guidance

He got the wall built, Then worked on the people

Chapters 1-6 deal with rebuilding the wall; 7-13 deal with restoring the people

His only request, the last line of the book

English Standard Version Chapter 13

Remember me, O my God, for good.