Image via Wikipedia
- Ezra 1:1-4 Cyrus acknowledges YHWH to be the One true God and makes a decree that the temple be rebuilt.
- Ezra 5:1-6:15 Adversaries seek to end the building of the temple in the days of Darius. Darius rules that the temple of the God of Heaven be rebuilt and that prayer be made to Him on behalf of Darius.
- Ezra 9:1-10:44 The people sinned by marrying into the idolatrous peoples of the land. Ezra’s zeal for the glory of YHWH and His worship prompts him to call the people to repent and put away their idol-worshiping wives. Cf Deuteronomy 7:1-11 Note: This is not an issue of ethnic purity, but purity of worship. YHWH is a jealous God who will not permit idolatry. Cf Exodus 34:14;Deuteronomy 4:24
- Nehemiah 4:2 Sanballat mocks Israel’s attempt to build Jerusalem. He wonders if the city can be revived out of the barrenness. Cf Genesis 1:1-2 where God fills the barren earth in the creation. Cf also the Exodus narrative.
- Nehemiah 9:1-10:30 Israel, upon hearing the Word of God, weeps and enters into a compact to keep covenant with God, because He is faithful. Recognizing the promises of YHWH, they commit themselves to following Him. Cf Exodus 24:3;Deuteronomy 30:1-20;Joshua 24:14-25;2Chronicles 34:14-33
- Nehemiah 13:1-31 Israel soon falls. This passage shows them to be in continuity with history both in the bad and the good.
- Esther
-
- The book of Esther is unique among the books of the Bible. The whole point of the narrative, however, is to show the providence of God in preserving Israel and the seed of David from destruction so that the Messiah could come into the world through them.
- One very interesting point is seen in the fact that the book opens with Ahasuerus showing off the glory of his kingdom, but the book ends with YHWH advancing His own kingdom through the diminishing of Ahasuerus’ kingdom by the decree of the king. Not only was Israel preserved, but Mordecai was exalted as second to the king and in that position sought the wealth and advancement of Israel.
-
See the first post in this series to learn what the series is leading to.
