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Nehemiah Builds The Walls Biblical Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Ezra Teaches The Law Nehemiah Builds The Walls A Renewed Remnant Biblical Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah

The record of the Jews’ 1st return under Zerubbabel concludes in Ezra 6 (516 B.C.) Between Ezra 6-7 is Esther’s heroic story to save Jews still in Persia from Haman Esth 1:3 (483 B.C.)

Ezra leads the 2nd remnant of Jews from Persia to Jerusalem (458 B.C.) It has been… …80 years since Zerubbabel’s efforts …58 years since the temple was built …25 years since Esther’s actions

The emphasis will be on another rebuilding project… this time, the city’s “spiritual infrastructure” It appears the post-exilic Jews in Jerusalem were guilty of back-sliding again Ezra 7:25

Simply having a temple to worship God was not sufficient Jer 7:1-15 The remnant needed to be reminded again of the importance of faithful devotion to God and His covenant Ezra was prepared for this task 7:10

The 2nd Return Ezra 7-8 Decreed by Artaxerxes I in the 7th year of his reign 7:8 Establishing Ezra 7:1b-5, 6, 10 His priestly lineage cp. 2:61-63 Num 3:10 His expertise as a scribe (knowledge) His preparation (study…practice…teach) H 1 2 3

One cannot teach what he does not know and do himself The 2nd Return Ezra 7-8 Establishing Ezra 7:1b-5, 6, 10 His preparation (study…practice…teach) We can also do good work for the Lord if we adopt Ezra’s “formula” Mt 12:34b-35 Jn 7:14-17 2 Tim 2:2 H 1 2 3 One cannot teach what he does not know and do himself

The 2nd Return Ezra 7-8 Ezra’s success 7:6b, 8-9 Artaxerxes granted his requests because the Lord’s hand was upon him His journey to Jerusalem from Persia (approx. 1,000 miles) was accomplished in only 4 months because the Lord’s hand was upon him

The 2nd Return Ezra 7-8 Artaxerxes’ decree 7:11-26 Much time had passed since Return #1 More than likely, both Zerubbabel and Joshua were dead by now Ezra having to teach indicates the remnant Jews had once again regressed in their spiritual condition v. 25

The 2nd Return Ezra 7-8 Artaxerxes’ decree 7:11-26 Ezra authorized to lead the return v. 13 Financial provisions and authorization for purchasing sacrificial animals, other necessary items vv. 15-18 Financial provisions collected from other surrounding peoples vv. 21-24

The 2nd Return Ezra 7-8 Artaxerxes’ decree 7:11-26 Ordination of civil magistrates and other officials v. 25a Ezra’s authority to teach the Law v. 25b Penalties for anyone who disobeys this decree v. 26

The 2nd Return Ezra 7-8 Artaxerxes’ decree 7:11-26 The decree clearly showed Ezra had the authority of the king behind him Artaxerxes feared Divine wrath from Ezra’s God if Ezra were to be thwarted in any way re: post-exilic Jerusalem v. 23

The 2nd Return Ezra 7-8 Harmonizing Artaxerxes’ decree with his letter from 4:7-23 Most likely, this decree would have been after what is found in Ezra 4 Earlier in his reign, he agreed to stop rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem Ezra gained his favor, trust

The 2nd Return Ezra 7-8 Ezra’s praise for the decree 7:27-28a He takes no credit for himself He credits God for causing this situation He thanks God for the king’s goodness Strengthened, Ezra asks leading men of Israel to go with him 7:28b

The 2nd Return Ezra 7-8 The list of those traveling 8:1-14 The number (including Ezra) = 1,515 When factoring women & children, it could have numbered above 7,000 cp. 8:21b Compared to the 1st return, the 2nd one was about 1/7 the size cp. 2:64-65

The 2nd Return Ezra 7-8 The journey 8:15-32 They camped at the river leading to Ahava Staying there 3 days, it was discovered there were no Levites among them Ezra sent for Levites at Casiphia…he received over 260 good brethren Again, Ezra credits God vv. 18-20

The 2nd Return Ezra 7-8 The journey 8:15-32 They proclaimed a fast, seeking God’s protection for the journey vv. 21-23 Before leaving Susa, Ezra refused military protection because of his faith in God They put themselves completely in the hands of God for their safety, well-being

The 2nd Return Ezra 7-8 The journey 8:15-32 Ezra divided the wealth & temple utensils among 22 priests & brethren vv. 24-30 They would be responsible for bringing it all safely to Jerusalem, and to deliver it to the priests at the temple The O.T. pattern Num 4:5-15

The 2nd Return Ezra 7-8 The journey 8:15-32 God vindicated Ezra’s faith by bringing them safely to Jerusalem vv. 31-32 He was always “over them” He was with them, delivering them from troubles on the way cp. Hag 1:13 Heb 13:5b-6

The 2nd Return Ezra 7-8 At Jerusalem 8:33-36 After resting for 3 days, Ezra delivered all the wealth & temple utensils to the priests and Levites They also offered sacrifices cp. 7:16-17 Finally, they delivered Artaxerxes’ decree to all the officials in the surrounding area

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