Ezra 7-Esther 6 May 11: Ezra 7-10 1. What’s Artaxerxes’ reason for sending Ezra to Jerusalem in 7:23? What’s God’s reason given in 7:27-28? What phrase does Ezra repeat in 8:18, 22, 31? What does he mean by this?
2. How does Ezra react to the report of Israel’s sin in 9:4-5 and 6-15? What’s the essence of their sin? How is 9:13 quite a surprising statement?
3. How do you reconcile the actions fo Ezra 10 (divorcing the pagan wives) with verses like Malachi 2:16 and I Corinthians 7:10-13?
May 12: Nehemiah 1-3 1. In chapter 1, how does Nehemiah react when he hears the message of Jerusalem’s destruction? What is your reaction when you see the wreckage of sin around you?
2. What attributes does Nehemiah praise in 1:5? What sins does he confess in 6-7? What promises does he appeal to in 1:8-10? What does he request in 1:11? In looking over your answers, how often do you prayer like this? Why not stop right now and pray like this?
May 13: Nehemiah 4-6 1. What is Nehemiah and Jews’ response to the threats against them in 4:4-5, 9? What two actions are taken in 4:9? Are these two actions harmonious/wise?
2. What was the result of the wall’s being completed in 6:16? What are the evidences of something being a genuine work of God?
May 14: Nehemiah 7-10 1. Chapter 8-9 narrate a genuine revival. What is the first feature of this revival in 8:1-8? What’s a second feature in 8:10-12? Why were the people full of joy in 8:12? What’s another feature in 8:13-18? Another in 9:2-3?
2. Nehemiah 9:5-37 records a lengthy corporate prayer of confession. What’s the benefit of corporate confession? Why’s it needed?
May 15: Nehemiah 11-13 1. When Nehemiah dedicates the walls, how did the people respond in 12:43? What’s the result of Jerusalem’s joy? See Ps. 96:2-3, 9-10 for the relationship between worship and witness.
2. During Nehemiah’s absence from Jerusalem (13:6), there was a spiritual decline. This situation closely mirrors that addressed by Malachi, suggesting that he prophesied during this time. According to 1:6, 11, 14; 2:2, 11, what is the root of these problems in worship? May 16: Esther 1-3 Esther: Named after its main character, the book of Esther recounts the events that occurred during the 58-year gap between Ezra 6 and 7. Ahasuerus, the king referred to throughout the book, is better known to history by his Greek name, Xerxes.
While the Babylonians conquered Judah/Jerusalem in 586 B.C., they were soon conquered by the Persian Empire in 539 B.C. The Persians, as a matter of imperial policy, treated the Jews with kindness, allowing them to return to their homeland (described in Ezra 1-6). While some returned, many chose to stay in the safety of Babylon and Persian (modern-day Iran). This is where the book of Esther takes place.
Although the book of Esther never mentions God’s name, the book powerfully illustrates theological themes. (1) God’s sovereignty: we see God actively working behind the scenes, using the courage of Esther, the insomnia of Ahasuerus, and even the murderous hatred Haman to accomplish divine purposes. (2) God’s faithfulness: although everything was stacked against His people, God saw to it that the Abrahamic Covenant withstood the onslaught of anti-semitic hatred. He is the Protector and Preserver of His people. Had the Jewish people been annihilated, God’s plan of redemption and promises to Abraham would have been nullified. For us today, we can rejoice in God’s sovereignty and faithfulness.
I. Introduction (1:1-2:23) A. Vashti’s defiance (1) B. Esther’s acceptance (2:1-18) C. Mordecai’s loyalty (2:19-23) II. Story (3:1-9:19). III. Conclusion (9:20-10:3)
1. What does Ahasuerus demand of Vashti? What do you think of this demand? How did Mordecai end up in Shushan (2:6)? How did Esther end up in his family? How do these seemingly “bad” events demonstrate God’s providential and sovereign working?
2. What phrase is repeated in 2:9, 15, and 17? How do you think this happened?
May 17: Esther 4-6 1. How do the Jews respond to Haman’s edict (4:3)? What is strongly suggested (but not stated) by their actions in 4:3, 16?
2. The book of Esther shows God’s sovereignty in disguise. I what ways do you see God’s sovereign intervention in today’s chapters?