EZRA/NEHEMIAH: A BIBLE STUDY

LESSON 1

Getting acquainted with each other, with Ezra and with the historical background of these two books

GETTING ACQUAINTED:

Each student introduces herself and tells how long she’s lived in Tucson and one thing about her family, either her kernel or extended family that she most appreciates or enjoys.

THE HISTORY

I.         The Hebrews at the Promised Land

II.        The Israelites under the judges

III.       The Israelites under David

IV.       The Israelites under Solomon

V.        The Israelites under the other kings

VI.      The prophets

VII.      Defeat and exile of Israel, The nation of Israel was destroyed, disbursed, and assimilated

VIII.     Defeat and exile of Judea to Babylonia, only people from Judea, hence, the Jews, were left.  They were no longer called Israelites.

IX.       Life in Babylonia

            Until Origen (A.D. 185-253) Ezra and Nehemiah were one book.  Ezra is about rebuilding building the temple and rebuilding the wall, which protected the city of Jerusalem and the temple.  The Book of Ezra was written in two parts about two returns from Babylon.  The first return was led by Zerubbabel, chapters 1-6.  It is about rebuilding the temple. The book begins exactly where 2Chronicles left off.  The second return was under the leadership of Ezra, chapters 7-10.  Nehemiah led a third return. After the temple was complete, it became important to rebuild the wall.  Ezra 7-10 and all of Nehemiah are about rebuilding the wall and life surrounding the completion of the city. Haggai and Zechariah prophesied during these years.

            Ezra was a contemporary of Esther and Nehemiah.  During the period covered in Ezra (B.C. 538-444) and Nehemiah (B.C. 444-425), Buddha (B.C. 560-480) was in India, Confucius (B.C. 551-479) was in China and Socrates (B.C. 470-399) was in Greece.