Presentation for this Lesson: https://prezi.com/p/np8i1fqxaj2w/#present LAMB OF GOD & LUTHERAN CHURCH NEHEMIAH SPRING 2018

Lesson One – Introduction to Ezra

From Ezra Nehemiah Esther (People’s ), by John F. Brug © 1985 Northwestern Publishing House. 1. Historical Background Notes:

2. Explain why the study of history is more important to than to any other religion. More than any other religion, Christianity is a religion of history. Other religions are made up primarily of legends, myths, and laws that don’t depend on a real historical setting. But our Christian faith rests on the acts of God that he carried out in history. To understand God’s plan of salvation, we must understand how he used real people who lived at definite times and in real places to carry out his plans. To understand the stories of the well, we need to know something about the historical circumstances surrounding them. None of the Old Testament stories or books are meant to stand by themselves as independent short stories. They are really chapters of one long story—a story that stretches from Eden to Bethlehem. It is the grand story of how God fulfilled his promise and brought his Son into the world. (John F. Brug. Ezra,Nehemiah,Esther (People’s Bible). Northwestern Publishing House (1985), p. 2)

3. What additional reasons for studying Bible history do the passages below give us? • Hebrews 12:1-3

• Hebrews 13:7-8

4. What are the main lessons and benefits to be gained from the study of these three books?

5. At certain times in history (e.g., Moses, Daniel), the Lord worked through mighty miracles and awesome revelations. But in these books, God quietly directs history through earthly kings and strengthening his people through his written Word. Why is this especially important for us?

6. What are the two major divisions of the ? Who is the leading character of each part?

7. What blessings might we gain by a study of the book of Ezra? Presentation for this Lesson: EZRA https://prezi.com/p/rk3e9mom74ou/#present LAMB OF GOD & LUTHERAN CHURCH NEHEMIAH SPRING 2018

Lesson Two – --- 222 Ezra 1 – Cyrus’ Decree

1. What human motives may have led Cyrus to let the Israelites return home and rebuild their temple? What reason for Cyrus’ decision did God want to make clear to his people (v. 1)?

2. What two key details were foretold decades earlier by Isaiah (ca. 740-680 BC ) and Jeremiah (ca. 626-580 BC )?

• Isaiah 44:28; 45:1

• Jeremiah 25:11-12; 29:10-11

3. If Cyrus was an unbeliever, how do you explain the honor which he gave to the LORD in his decree? (cf. Daniel 6:28)

4. What is the effect of the prophecies (cf. also Daniel 5) and the way they were fulfilled on our faith today?

5. In what ways did God provide the funds and supplies for the rebuilding of the temple? (cf. also :68-69; 6:4,8)

Ezra 2 – The List of Returning Exiles 6. List your general observations of what you read in chapter 2.

7. Describe a conversation you have on the journey back to , if you are one of the returning exiles.

8. Add up the numbers from verses 3-60, and compare it with the total given in verse 64. What do you observe, and how might we account for any discrepancies?

9. Why do you think there were so few willing to return from captivity?

10. List the main classifications of the people who returned.

11. What is the significance of those described in verses 59-63?

12. What was the first action of the people when they reached Jerusalem? Which principles of Christian stewardship do their actions display?

Taking It Home 13. Choose one truth these chapters have taught or reinforced for you, and describe how you might use it to encourage a fellow Christian.

Presentation for this Lesson: EZRA https://prezi.com/p/70zuu8dn-txs/ LAMB OF GOD & LUTHERAN CHURCH NEHEMIAH SPRING 2018

Lesson Three – --- 444 Introduction

1. The Israelites had just returned from exile and arrived in Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Describe the thoughts and emotions that they may have been experiencing as they arrived.

Ezra 3 – Worship Resumes and Rebuilding Begins 2. After the people resettled , when did they gather in Jerusalem (v. 1)? What made this the ideal time to gather (cf. Leviticus 23:23,26,33)?

3. What made offering sacrifices at this time noteworthy (v. 3,6)?

4. What festival did they celebrate? Read Leviticus 23:33-43, and list some distinctive features of this festival.

5. Using Numbers 28:1-8 and 29:12-40, complete the chart on the back of this page, listing the sacrifices to be offered on each day of the Feast of Tabernacles. What are your observations?

6. How was the beginning of the temple reconstruction celebrated?

7. What were the reactions to the rebuilding of the temple? How do you explain these reactions? (cf. 2:3) Sacrifices & Offerings During the Feast of Tabernacles A B C D E Day Total Bulls Rams Lambs Sin Off. Burnt Off. Animals 13 2 14 1 2 32 1 Grain (Ephahs) 3.9 0.4 1.4 -- 0.2 5.9 Olive Oil (Hins) 9.75 1.0 3.5 -- 0.5 14.75

Animals 2 Grain (Ephahs) Olive Oil (Hins)

Animals 3 Grain (Ephahs) Olive Oil (Hins)

Animals 4 Grain (Ephahs) Olive Oil (Hins)

Animals 5 Grain (Ephahs) Olive Oil (Hins)

Animals 6 Grain (Ephahs) Olive Oil (Hins)

Animals 7 Grain (Ephahs) Olive Oil (Hins)

Animals 8 Grain (Ephahs) Olive Oil (Hins)

Totals: Bulls: ______Goats (D): ______Rams: ______Lambs (C+E): ______

Gallons Wine: ______Gallons Grain: ______Gallons Olive Oil: ______

(Note: 1 hin = ca. 1 gallon; 1 ephah = ca. 5 gallons) 8. What does Ezra 3 teach about the priorities of life?

“It was only right that even before the foundation of the temple was laid, those sacrifices were offered. Those who returned understood that it was through the sacrifices that the beauty of their covenant relationship with God was seen. Worship could be carried on without the foundation of a building being laid, but there could be no foundation laid that would last without worship. Truly, they were a returning remnant; they were God’s people, endeavoring to return to God and put him first.” (Shawn E. Kauffeld, A Returning Remnant , p. 30)

Ezra 4 – Opposition Mounts 9. Read 2 Kings 17:24-41. Describe the people who asked to join in the rebuilding of the temple. Why did the Israelites refuse them?

10. Werner Franzmann writes: “We see that these people demand equal standing for their faulty knowledge of God and their false worship of him with the true, God-given knowledge and worship—exactly as their counterparts have done in every age down to our own.” ( Bible History Commentary: Old Testament , p. 551). Give current examples.

11. The section from v. 6-23 appears to come from a later time period (Artaxerxes did not rule until after Darius, and the letter talks about the building of the city walls). Ezra uses this example from his lifetime to illustrate how opponents of Israel tried to oppose the building of the temple during the time of . Describe the methods the opponents of the Jews used.

12. Ezra resumes the narrative in verse 24 after the digression he began in verse 6. The building of the temple was slowed or stopped for 10 or more years (Cyrus died in 530 BC ; Darius began his reign in 521 BC ). Describe the effect we would expect this delay to have on the Jews in Jerusalem.

Sacrifices & Offerings During the Feast of Tabernacles A B C D E Day Total Bulls Rams Lambs Sin Off. Burnt Off. Animals 13 2 14 1 2 32 1 Grain (Ephahs) 3.9 0.4 1.4 0.2 5.9 Olive Oil (Hins) 9.75 1.0 3.5 0.5 14.75

Animals 12 2 14 1 2 31 2 Grain (Ephahs) 3.6 0.4 1.4 0.2 5.6 Olive Oil (Hins) 9 1.0 3.5 0.5 14.0

Animals 11 2 14 1 2 30 3 Grain (Ephahs) 3.3 0.4 1.4 0.2 5.3 Olive Oil (Hins) 8.25 1.0 3.5 0.5 13.25

Animals 10 2 14 1 2 29 4 Grain (Ephahs) 3.0 0.4 1.4 0.2 5.0 Olive Oil (Hins) 7.5 1.0 3.5 0.5 12.5

Animals 9 2 14 1 2 28 5 Grain (Ephahs) 2.7 0.4 1.4 0.2 4.7 Olive Oil (Hins) 6.75 1.0 3.5 0.5 11.75

Animals 8 2 14 1 2 27 6 Grain (Ephahs) 2.4 0.4 1.4 0.2 4.4 Olive Oil (Hins) 6.0 1.0 3.5 0.5 11.0

Animals 7 2 14 1 2 26 7 Grain (Ephahs) 2.1 0.4 1.4 0.2 4.1 Olive Oil (Hins) 5.25 1.0 3.5 0.5 10.25

Animals 1 1 7 1 2 25 8 Grain (Ephahs) 0.3 0.2 0.7 0.2 1.4 Olive Oil (Hins) 0.75 .5 1.75 0.5 3.5

Totals: Bulls: 71 Goats (D): 8 Rams: 15 Lambs (C+E): 121

Gallons Wine: 4 Gallons Grain: 182 Gallons Olive Oil: 91

(Note: 1 hin = ca. 1 gallon; 1 ephah = ca. 5 gallons) EZRA LAMB OF GOD & LUTHERAN CHURCH NEHEMIAH SPRING 2018

Lesson Four – EzEzEzraEz ra 5 --- 666 Ezra 5:1-2 – Problems, , and Progress

1. The work on the temple had come to a stop, as the enemies of the Jews frustrated their plans to rebuild (4:4-5). But that was not the only obstacle to its rebuilding. The Lord sent his prophets Haggai and Zechariah to deal with another problem. Read for an expanded account of what is recorded in Ezra 5:1-2. Describe the reason(s) for the long delay in the rebuilding of the temple.

2. Read :1-9. The LORD says, “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house.” However, the rebuilt temple would not be as big or beautiful as the temple that built. How would the glory of Zerubbabel’s temple be greater than the glory of Solomon’s temple? (cf. Malachi 3:1)

Why was this important for the people to hear?

3. Give evidence of the power of God’s Word from this account. (cf. Ezra 5:2,8; :14; Haggai 1:1,12-15)

Why is this important for us to remember when we face obstacles in our Christian life and ministry?

4. What warnings and encouragement do we find in this account for our own lives and ministry?

Ezra 5:3 – 6:15 – With God’s Blessing, the Temple is Completed 5. After the building of the temple resumed, what new threat to the building arose?

6. In what ways could God’s hand be seen caring for his people throughout this threat?

7. How did God’s people use this threat as an opportunity to give honor and glory to God?

8. Darius began to reign in 621 BC . Work on the temple had begun in 536 BC . How long had it taken the Jews to rebuild the temple? (Recall again the destruction of the temple in 586 BC and the time in which God promised to bring his people back from exile – Lesson Two; Jeremiah 25:11- 12; Jeremiah 29:10-11 )

Ezra 6:16-22 – Celebration

9. What are your impressions of the offerings given in celebration of the rededication of the temple? Compare them with what was offered when Solomon’s temple was dedicated (2 Chronicles 7:4-5).

10. What festival was celebrated after the dedication of the temple? Why was it especially meaningful at this time?

Conclusion to Ezra 1-6

11. This concludes the first “chapter” in the history of the return from exile. Share lessons learned from the obstacles that God overcame for his people as he kept his promise to restore them.

EZRA LAMB OF GOD & LUTHERAN CHURCH NEHEMIAH SPRING 2018

Lesson Five – --- 888 Ezra 7:1-10 – The Lord Raises Up Ezra

1. While the repetition of common names makes it difficult to identify those mentioned in Ezra’s genealogy with complete certainty, other genealogies (e.g., 1 Chronicles 6:3-14; 1 Chronicles 6:50-53; :10-14) and descriptions of figures from Israel’s history gives us a high degree of confidence about the identity of several of them. Identify the following men in Ezra’s genealogy, and put them into their historical context:

• Seraiah (2 Kings 25:18):

• Hilkiah (2 Kings 22:3-4):

• Zadok (2 Samuel 8:15-17):

• Aaron (Exodus 40:12-16):

2. Why do you think Ezra’s genealogy was recorded? What was its significance for the returning Jews? What is its significance for us?

3. Read Ezra 7:6,10. What additional qualification did Ezra have for leading God’s people?

The Lord expects the same from leaders in his church today (cf. Acts 6:3; 1 Timothy 4:13-16; 2 Timothy 3:14-16). Why is this so important, and how can congregations encouraged called workers and leaders in this?

4. While Ezra’s genealogy and his qualifications were important, what did he recognize as the reason for the success of his mission? (cf. 7:6, 7:9, 7:27-28, 8:18, 8:22-23, 8:31)

Read James 4:13-16. Apply these verses and Ezra’s story to our lives and ministry today.

The Lord’s working was not as obvious here as it was at other times in the history of Israel (e.g., the exodus from Egypt). When is it most difficult for you to see God’s hand in your life?

Ezra 7:11-28 – The Decree of Artaxerxes 5. The letter from King Artaxerxes gave Ezra both wealth and authority to carry out the work he was sent to do. He exempted those serving in the temple from taxes in his empire. What human reason(s) might the king have had for giving so much toward the worship of the LORD , whom he likely did not acknowledge as the true God? (see v. 23)

What reason(s) might the government have to grant certain privileges (e.g., tax exemptions) to the church today? Does the church have a right to expect such privileges?

6. How did Ezra respond to the king’s letter?

Ezra 8 – The Return to Jerusalem About the List of Returning Exiles (:1-14)

Phinehas was Aaron’s grandson. Ithamar was Aaron’s youngest son. was king of Israel. God promised that David’s descendants would reign on Israel’s throne, and Aaron’s descendants would serve as priests for Israel. These names are a glimpse of how God kept his promise.

While they don’t come from every tribe in Israel, the returning exiles are listed in 12 families, perhaps pointing to the promised restoration and reunification of the twelve tribes of Israel (see Ezekiel 37:15-28; Ephesians 2:11-22). (Note also that the people were called “Israelites” in Artaxerxes’ decree [8:13] and Ezra’s division of the offering among 12 priests [8:24, NIV2011].)

The number of returning exiles (only about 2000, if the list is complete) is considerably smaller than those who returned with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:64-65). Outside of those who would serve in the temple, Ezra’s group of exiles also included children, and likely women and elderly travelers (8:21). 7. When Ezra assembled the people for the return to Israel, he was disappointed by the lack of willing to make the trip. These men would be crucial for the restoration of worship practices in Jerusalem. Ezra sent a delegation to recruit more Levites; only 38 more men from two families came (along with 220 temple servants). There are over 100 pastoral vacancies in our synod right now, a number that will likely continue to grow, as the number of men graduating from our seminary in coming years is fewer than those expected to retire from pastoral ministry. The need for trained, qualified teachers for the schools in our synod is also a growing challenge at this time in our history (and the fields are always ripe for harvest). How can we respond?

8. How did the group prepare for the journey to Jerusalem (v. 21-23)? Why were they willing to travel without a military escort?

9. List some steps Ezra took to carefully administer the offering that had been entrusted to them.

10. How did the people, like the other groups before them, celebrate their safe arrival in Jerusalem?

EZRA LAMB OF GOD & LUTHERAN CHURCH NEHEMIAH SPRING 2018

Lesson SixSixSix –

Introduction

1. What is the greatest danger to the church: enemies from outside or weaknesses from within?

Ezra 9 – The Problem of Intermarriage 2. Read Exodus 34:10-16 and Deuteronomy 7:1-11. a. Why had God chosen Israel to be his people?

b. Why did he forbid them to marry the Canaanites?

c. What applications can we make of both of these passages to the church today?

3. In three words or fewer, characterize Ezra’s reaction to the report of the sin of his people.

4. Ezra mentions those “who trembled at the words of the God of Israel” (v. 3). Do Christians today view God’s law with the same holy awe as they did in the past? Explain your answer.

5. What can tempt us to take sin too lightly or to underestimate its consequences? How can we continue to be both shocked and disgusted by sin and amazed by God’s grace in forgiving it?

6. In groups of 3-4 people: a. Read each of the following quotations aloud. b. Identify one or more key points in each quotation. (Also discuss and note anything that you have questions about or aren’t sure you agree with. ) c. After you have listed points from each quotation, choose the one point that you think is most important to remember in our Christian life today. Be ready to explain your choice.  One of the surprising things about Ezra’s reaction is the intensity of his shame and grief. He feels “ashamed and disgraced” for the sins of his nation, even though he himself was not guilty of the sin of intermarriage. In our day, when many feel little responsibility even for their own sins, it strikes us as strange that anyone would feel such personal guilt and pain over the sins of others. A more common reaction might be a feeling of smug satisfaction, like that of the Pharisee who thanked God that he was not as sinful as the tax collector (Luke 18:9–14). John F. Brug, Ezra-Nehemiah-Esther (People’s Bible), p. 52

 When a member of Christ’s body, the church, falls into a grievous sin, the work of the whole church can suffer. When unrepented sin is ignored, the poison can spread to other members of the body. Like Ezra, we should feel grief, not smugness, when fellow Christians fall into sin. Like Ezra and like Moses at the time of the golden calf (Exodus 32), we should intercede for our fellow Christians at the throne of grace, praying that God will grant them repentance. John F. Brug, Ezra-Nehemiah-Esther (People’s Bible), p. 52-53

 We are indeed our brothers’ keepers. We are involved and responsible. Interceding for others before the God of mercy is one of the most important ways of fulfilling our Christian responsibility. We need a heartfelt compassion and concern regarding the sins of others so that we never close our eyes through smugness or indifference. Instead, we will pray for them and confront them with God’s Word. John F. Brug, Ezra-Nehemiah-Esther (People’s Bible), p. 53

7. Ezra prayed, “God, you have punished us less than our sins have deserved” (v. 13). How was Ezra’s observation true for Israel?

Why is it important for us to daily ponder this truth in our own lives? (How does it affect our relationship with God? our relationships with one another?) EZRA LAMB OF GOD & LUTHERAN CHURCH NEHEMIAH SPR ING 2018

Lesson Seven –

Introduction

1. What happens when unrepentant sin is allowed to continue in the church?

Ezra 10 – Dealing with the Sin of the People 2. In chapter nine, Ezra learned of a sin that had become common among the people (including many leaders) in Israel. What was that sin, and what was Ezra’s response?

3. In what ways did many of the people show support for Ezra in dealing with the sin?

4. List specific ways in which Christians can support their pastor and congregational leaders when they face the unpleasant task of disciplining impenitent sinners.

5. Why is that support important for the leaders? For the people? For the impenitent sinners?

6. Read Malachi 2:10-16 as a commentary on Ezra 10. a. How does verse 15 shed further light on ways the people had sinned by marrying those who worshipped foreign gods?

b. How had Israel’s unfaithfulness affected their worship life?

7. What actions were taken to deal with the sin? How did the way those actions were carried out show wisdom that we can apply in the church today?

8. Read 1 Corinthians 7:10-16. Paul tells believer to remain married to their unbelieving spouses, if the spouses are willing. In Malachi 2 and other places, God makes it clear that divorce is sinful. Note how the different circumstances in Ezra’s Jerusalem made sending their foreign wives away the appropriate fruits of repentance. a. When did the believer marry the unbeliever in Corinth? When did the Israelite marry the foreigner in Jerusalem?

b. What direct command affected Israel that does not apply beyond Old Testament Israel?

c. What additional sin was involved in Ezra’s time (see question 6a above)?

Ezra’s action of dissolving these mixed marriages was more comparable to telling someone to stop living in an adulterous relationship that was wrong from the start than to forcing someone to dissolve a valid marriage. Ezra required that the people obey the commandment that God had given them for the preservation of Israel, even though this undoubtedly caused pain and hardship for some of the wives who were sent away. The blame for the tragic side effects of this action belongs to those who had created the situation by ignoring God’s law. John F. Brug, Ezra-Nehemiah-Esther (People’s Bible), p. 61-62

9. Why do you think Ezra makes a list of the guilty? What is especially shocking about this list?

Conclusion to Ezra 10. The book of Ezra ends rather abruptly, but the next chapter in the story follows immediately in Nehemiah. Share lessons you learned from your study of the book of Ezra. Presentation for this Lesson: EZRA https://prezi.com/p/wwqlsaadgzua/#present LAMB OF GOD & LUTHERAN CHURCH NEHEMIAH SPRING 2018

Lesson Eight – Introduction to Nehemiah ,,, Nehemiah 11hhhh Introduction to Nehemiah

1. Historical Background Notes:

Nehemiah 1:1-3 – News Reaches Nehemiah in Persia 1. What was Nehemiah’s occupation at the beginning of the book? What does this say about him?

2. About 12 years have passed since Ezra’s reforms in Jerusalem recorded in Ezra 9-11 (about 90 years since Zerubbabel led the first exiles back to Jerusalem). Describe the conditions that Nehemiah learned about from his “brother.”

Nehemiah 1:4-11 – Nehemiah Responds to the Problem 3. What was Nehemiah’s first response to the report about Jerusalem?

4. Read Psalm 137. How do you explain the strong feelings for Jerusalem in this psalm? What might be the modern counterpart to Jerusalem in our feelings today? (cf. Psalm 84:1-2)

5. Identify the main thoughts in Nehemiah’s prayer to the Lord.

6. What does Nehemiah’s prayer reveal about him? about God?

7. Read Hebrews 10:25-31 and Hebrews 12:28-29. What do these passages reveal about the nature of God? What does the writer advise us to do, so that we might avoid coming under God’s condemnation?

8. Nehemiah tells us that “for some days [he] mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. It would be 3-4 months before he approached the king about the problem (2:1). We don’t know if it was fear or simply a lack of opportunity that caused the delay, but we do know that much of this time was spent in prayer. Compare Nehemiah’s response to how we respond to challenges today. How can we help one another see the important role God wants prayer to have in our lives and ministry?

9. Nehemiah prays that God would “remember” what he said to Moses. He will pray several more times for God to remember something or someone (e.g., 5:19, 6:14, 13:22, 29, 31). From whose perspective does God “forget”? Even though God doesn’t “forget,” how can such prayers be pleasing prayers to a God who loves us? EZRA LAMB OF GOD & LUTHERAN CHURCH NEHEMIAH SPRING 2018

Lesson Nine – --- 333 Nehemiah 2:1-10 – Nehemiah’s Request

1. It had been 3-4 months since Nehemiah first got the news about Jerusalem. What was noteworthy about how he appeared before the king?

2. Nehemiah had been praying for Jerusalem for months. Now, before he presents his request to the king, he offers a brief silent prayer that is an example of what is sometimes called an “arrow prayer.” What do you think is meant by an “arrow prayer”? List some occasions when such prayers might have a place in your life.

3. What evidence do you see that “the gracious hand of [Nehemiah’s] God was upon [him]”?

4. Why would Nehemiah describe it as the “gracious” hand of God?

Nehemiah 2:11-20 – Inspection and Planning the Work 5. What was Nehemiah’s first step in rebuilding the city walls?

6. Why do you think he had kept his plans secret?

7. What were two responses when the plans became known?

8. Summarize the two-part response Nehemiah gave to those who mocked their rebuilding efforts.

9. Nehemiah’s approach seems to be a combination of making his own preparations and praying. Why are both often important in the life of a Christian?

Nehemiah 3 – Building Begins

Nehemiah begins his description of Jerusalem at the northeast corner of the city, probably so that the high priest and his crew could be placed in the position of honor. The northern wall was the most important and required the heaviest fortifications, since the city had the poorest natural defenses in this direction. The city gates were not simply doors in the walls, but strong, roofed towers that contained a number of guardhouses inside. The gates were one of the most vital parts of the fortifications. John F. Brug, Ezra-Nehemiah-Esther (People’s Bible), p. 82 10. Give evidence of Nehemiah’s gifts for administration and leadership from these two chapters.

11. This chapter is a memorial to the faithful service of believers of Nehemiah’s day, so that their example might be remembered and followed. Name other examples of such simple acts of love or service recorded on the pages of Scripture. How may we properly do the same thing today?

12. The building of the wall was a joint project of people who lived in Jerusalem and people who did not. Why should we participate in projects which will not be a direct benefit to us, such as world missions? How is participation in such projects a blessing and benefit to us? To others?

EZRA LAMB OF GOD & LUTHERAN CHURCH NEHEMIAH SPRING 2018

Lesson Ten – --- 555 Nehemiah 4 – Responding to Threats from the Outside

1. Israel’s enemies hoped to discourage them by ridicule. What are some of the ways in which enemies of the church (both non-Christians and even other Christians) taunt and mock the church and her members today?

2. Nehemiah responded to the taunts with prayer (note this recurring theme of the book). Summarize the content of his prayer (v. 4-5).

3. Read the following quotation. Identify key points about when and where prayers like Nehemiah’s are appropriate in the life of a Christian. Then, in groups of 3-4, share the points you identified. Together choose the two points that you consider most important. Be ready to explain your choices. ( Your group’s spokesperson is the one with the longest middle name .) Because he calls for judgment on his enemies, some have criticized Nehemiah’s prayer as being unforgiving and unchristian. Isn’t such a prayer contrary to the example of Jesus on the cross, when he prayed for his enemies (Luke 23:34)? And doesn’t the rest of the Bible teach us to forgive our enemies? For example, Jesus says, “Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44), and Saint Paul declares: “Bless those who persecute you.… Do not repay anyone evil for evil.… Do not take revenge.… If your enemy is hungry, feed him” (Romans 12:14, 17, 19, 20). Yet the Bible also contains Nehemiah’s seemingly vengeful prayer. Nor is it alone. Such prayers for judgment occur frequently in the Scriptures. Psalms 7; 35; 58; 59; 69:19–28; 109; 137:7–9; and 139:19–22 furnish examples of such prayers. These psalms are called imprecatory psalms, or cursing psalms. Some commentators attempt to explain away these imprecatory passages by saying that believers in Old Testament times were at a lower level of religious advancement than we are today. According to this view, the coming of the New Testament has made such prayers obsolete. But such an explanation will not hold up. Psalm 69, one of the psalms that includes a curse, is a Messianic psalm, referring to Christ. The New Testament quotes it as such. John 15:25, for instance, takes the words of Psalm 69:4 and applies them to Christ: “They hated me without reason.” In this psalm it is Christ, the Messiah, who asks God the Father to judge his enemies. The curses of Psalm 69:25 are quoted in Acts 1:20 as being fulfilled in the judgment against Judas: “It is written in the book of Psalms, ‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it.’ ” Even the saints in heaven pray for God’s avenging judgment to fall on the persecutors of the church: “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” (Revelation 6:10). But how can such prayers be reconciled with the gospel proclamation that the Lord is a forgiving God? The God who promises forgiveness in the gospel is the same God who threatens in his law to punish all who despise him. Those who despise God’s promise and work to oppose his plans remain under the wrath of God. God said that he would bless those who blessed Abraham, the bearer of the promise, and curse those who cursed Abraham (Genesis 12:3). This is simply another way of saying that God will bring deserved judgment on those who work for Satan, who try to destroy the line of the Savior and the children of God. We cannot wish such people success without setting ourselves against the will of God. David could not pray that the evil plans of Saul and Absalom would succeed, because if they did, God’s promise would have failed. Nor could Nehemiah pray that Sanballat’s plans to thwart the restoration of Israel would succeed. If they did, God’s promises would not have been fulfilled. Today we should pray that our enemies and God’s enemies will come to repentance. But we must also pray that their attacks on God’s kingdom come to nothing. Martin Luther once wrote, “We cannot pray the Lord’s Prayer without cursing.” Every time we pray, “Hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done,” we are in a sense cursing. As Luther writes in his explanation of the Third Petition of the Lord’s Prayer: “God’s will is done when he breaks and defeats every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh, which try to prevent us from keeping God’s name holy and letting his kingdom come.” Like David, Nehemiah did not attack his enemies or seek personal revenge. He left their judgment to God. Yet Nehemiah was right in praying that God would frustrate the enemies’ efforts. Then, with faith in God’s power and promises, he carried on his work. The scorn of God’s enemies cannot stop those who trust in God. John F. Brug, Ezra-Nehemiah-Esther (People’s Bible), p. 88-90

4. When intimidation failed (because “the people worked with all their heart”), how did Sanballat plan to stop the project? In what two ways did Nehemiah respond to this threat?

5. What evidence do we see that the efforts of their enemies were starting to affect the people of Jerusalem? (v. 10-12)

6. What two motivations did Nehemiah use to help the people overcome their fear and their discouragement? (v. 14)

7. To assure that the work would continue, Nehemiah split the workers into shifts between guarding and building (v. 16-17), he commanded the workers to be armed at all times (v. 17- 18), he set up an alert system (v. 18-20), and he restricted movement into and out of the city (v. 22). We see again Nehemiah’s wise administration and leadership. The picture of Nehemiah’s workers with a weapon in one hand and a building tool in the other is one of the most famous impressions from the . For 3 minutes, discuss in your group how this approach might apply to the church today. (Consider 1 Peter 3:15; 1 Peter 5:8-9; Acts 6:2-4; Ephesians 6:10-20)

Nehemiah 5 – Responding to Threats from the Inside

8. Describe the problem that arose within the city which threatened to destroy the progress which had been made toward the restoration of Israel.

9. Read Exodus 22:21-27. How does God feel about those who oppress the poor and take advantage of them? ( Try to add up references to “the alien/foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow” sometime for more evidence .) How should we apply this principle today?

10. How did Nehemiah personally address this problem in Jerusalem and set an example for his people?

For Further Discussion:

11. Just when it seemed that threats from the outside had been averted, there was dissension and division from within Israel. Give examples of how the devil uses the same approach to try to destroy God’s work today.

12. What can we do to try to prevent such attacks today (or to keep them from being successful)?

EZRA LAMB OF GOD & LUTHERAN CHURCH NEHEMIAH SPRING 2018

Lesson Eleven – --- 777 Nehemiah 6:1 – 7:3 – The Wall is Completed in the Midst of Judah’s Enemies

1. Describe the schemes that Sanballat and his allies used to try to stop the rebuilding of Jerusalem and Nehemiah’s response to each.

2. What might have motivated some Israelites to betray Nehemiah and side with Sanballat and ? (cf. :6-8; Ezra 9:1-2; Nehemiah 6:6-7)

3. Put yourself in Nehemiah’s shoes. Which of the schemes of his enemies do you think was most difficult for him? Why?

Describe a situation in which you might face (or have faced) the same kind of opposition.

4. The enemies of Judah didn’t give up. Even after the walls were completed, they kept looking for ways to interfere with the Lord’s people and his mission. Give examples of times when your faith, your Christian life, or the Christian witness and ministry of the church you are a part of seemed to be under ongoing attack by enemies who wouldn’t give up.

5. As we face these situations, what can we learn from Nehemiah’s response to the opposition he and his people faced?

6. How long did it take to complete the wall of Jerusalem? Why did the building project succeed?

7. What steps did Nehemiah take to ensure the security of the city even after the walls were finished?

Nehemiah 7:4-72 – The List of Returning Exiles Nehemiah gives a list that is nearly identical to the list given in Ezra 2. However, the lists are not completely identical. There are some apparent discrepancies. Here is a summary of the main differences and one or more possible explanations for each:

• Differences in names – “In most cases the names are close enough that they can be recognized as variants of the same name…This is no different than what we do in English [with nicknames]… People sometimes go by one name in their family and by a different name among their friends or business associates.” Brug, Ezra,Nehemiah,Esther (People’s Bible), 110 • Copying mistakes – Some may have been the same in original manuscripts but were copied in error over time. (Note: there may be occasional copying mistakes in our copies of the Bible, but none of them affect any doctrine or teaching of the Bible.) • Omissions of names or changes in order – Neither list attempts to be a complete list (note how the numbers listed with names don’t add up to the total numbers), so the details included might vary. • Differences in numbers given for clans/families – While some may be the result of copying errors, a more likely explanation is that numbers were taken from different stages in the census process (for example, some who couldn’t initially prove their ancestry [Ezra 2:62] could have proved it and been counted later) .

8. Why is it important for Christians to wrestle with matters like the discrepancies between these two lists?

9. Agree or disagree: To convince others that the Bible is true, we must have a solid explanation for all such apparent “discrepancies” or “errors” in the biblical text.

10. Why don’t variant readings in Biblical manuscripts and the possibility of copying errors in the Bible undermine our confidence in inspiration or in any of the teachings of the Bible? EZRA LAMB OF GOD & LUTHERAN CHURCH NEHEMIAH SPRING 2018

Lesson Twelve – --- 999 :73-8:18 – Ezra Reads the Law and the People Respond

1. This is the second time an assembly of the returning exiles is reported on the first day of the seventh month (cf. Ezra 3:1). Recall the significance of this timing (cf. Leviticus 23:23,26,33; Lesson 3 of this Bible study, and the illustration on the last page of this lesson). What holiday was celebrated on the first day of the seventh month?

2. As Ezra read “the Law” (portions of the first five books of the Bible, likely from Exodus and Deuteronomy), how did some Levites assist him (v. 7-8)? Why do you think this was necessary?

3. How did the people respond to the reading of the Law (v. 6,9)? What response did Ezra and Nehemiah encourage instead? Why?

4. The Israelites then observed the Feast of Tabernacles, which they had also celebrated in Zerubbabel’s time (Ezra 3; see Lesson 3). What made this observance of the festival unique?

Nehemiah 9:1-37 – A Prayer of Confession and Praise 5. Two weeks after the Feast of Tabernacles, the Israelites gathered together again. How did they prepare themselves for the event? What was the purpose for their gathering? (v. 1-3)

6. In what ways do you personally prepare for worship? What preparation is necessary? (cf. Psalm 51:15-17; Psalm 66:18) What preparation is helpful? 7. Praise of God often enumerates his attributes and recounts what he has done. List the attributes and corresponding actions of God that are seen in the Levites’ praise:

Verses Attribute(s) of God Corresponding Actions

v. 5b-6

v. 7-8

v. 9-12,19

v. 13-14

v. 15,20-21

v. 16-18

v. 22-25

v. 26-28

v. 29-31

8. Read the conclusion of the Levites’ words (v. 31-37). Identify what you see as the main theme of this entire discourse of praise (v. 5-37).

9. Read 1 Kings 8:56-57, Psalm 78:1-8, 1 Corinthians 10:6-13, and Hebrews 12:1. List reasons why is it important that we study the past history of God’s people.

10. In these chapters, we see a renewed dedication to reading, hearing, and studying God’s Word. List some specific reasons that continued Bible reading and Bible study with fellow Christians is vital for the adult members of our congregation. What are some specific things which we can do to involve more of our members in regular Bible study?

The Jewish Year

Seventh Month From Bible History Commentary: Old Testament , by Werner H. Franzmann © 1980 WELS Board for Parish Education.

EZRA LAMB OF GOD & LUTHERAN CHURCH NEHEMIAH SPRING 2018

Lesson Thirteen – --- 111111 :38-10:39 – A Covenant with the Lord

1. What was the basic promise which the people made in their covenant with God?

2. The people made several promises or commitments in their covenant with God. With those in your group, read the passages aloud and discuss the questions assigned to you related to one of those promises. Choose a spokesperson to explain what you find to the whole class. Sabbatical Year (10:31): Read Leviticus 25:2-7, Deuteronomy 15:1-3, Matthew 6:12, and Hebrews 4:9-11.

• What were the two basic provisions of the sabbatical year?

• What earthly benefit did these provisions provide for Israel?

• What spiritual lessons did they teach?

• What do we learn from these laws today?

Ransom (10:32-33): Read Exodus 30:11-16, Psalm 49:7-9, Mark 10:45, and 1 Peter 1:18-19.

• Why were the Israelites to give a ransom for each person counted in the annual census?

• What earthly benefit did this law provide for Israel?

• What spiritual lessons did it teach?

• What do we learn from this law today? Firstborn (10:36): Read Exodus 13:1-16, Numbers 18:14-19, and Hebrews 12:22-24.

• Why were the Israelites to bring the firstborn of their sons and animals to the Lord?

• What spiritual lessons did it teach?

• What do we learn from this law today?

Firstfruits (10:37-39): Read Leviticus 27:30-33, Numbers 18:21, Proverbs 3:9-10, and Malachi 3:10-11.

• Why were the Israelites to bring their firstfruits and tithes to the Lord?

• What earthly benefit did this law provide for Israel?

• What spiritual lessons did it teach?

• What do we learn from this law today?

3. “Although these particular regulations and obligations no longer apply to us, the principle ‘we will not neglect the house of our God’ remains unchanged. We who have seen the fulfillment of God’s promises in Christ have even more reason to support the gospel with our time and possessions.” ( John F. Brug, Ezra-Nehemiah-Esther (People’s Bible), p. 131). In addition to our offerings, what are some ways in which we can fulfill this principle?

This list is a memorial to those who pledged their faithfulness to the Lord. Although most of them are unknown and long forgotten, their names still stand in Scripture as a memorial to their faithfulness and to the grace of God, which led them to the stand they took. This list reminds us that when our names and deeds of faith have been forgotten by other people, God will still remember. With the Lord there are no forgotten names. John F. Brug, Ezra-Nehemiah-Esther (People’s Bible), p. 128 Nehemiah 11 – New Residents of Jerusalem 4. It seems that many people were not eager to live in Jerusalem, the newly rebuilt capital city. Why might many have been unwilling to live in the city? Why do you think Nehemiah considered it important to repopulate the city?

5. How was it decided who would live in the rebuilt city of Jerusalem?

6. What percentage of the people were to live in Jerusalem? What might be the significance of this percentage?

7. How does the administration of the resettlement of Jerusalem reveal an understanding of the importance of the worship of God’s people?

From Ezra Nehemiah Esther (People’s Bible), by John F. Brug © 1985 Northwestern Publishing House. EZRA LAMB OF GOD & LUTHERAN CHURCH NEHEMIAH SPRING 2018

Lesson Fourteen – --- 131313 Introduction

1. Who or what most influences your life? Suppose you were to make a “top ten” list of those influences. What would appear on that list?

Nehemiah 12:1-26 – Priests and Levites

The main purpose of this list in Nehemiah chapter 12 seems to be to assure the people that the priests and Levites whom they were following were really descendants of the families God appointed to serve in this capacity. This was important if God’s people were to have confidence in the validity of the sacrifices offered on their behalf. A second purpose of the list may be to honor those who played a leading part in the restoration of the nation. John F. Brug, Ezra-Nehemiah-Esther (People’s Bible), p. 139

Nehemiah’s catalog of priests demonstrates the preservation of the line of priests. Piecing together the various scriptural lists, we can trace the priesthood, which began with Aaron, over a thousand year period, roughly 1400–400 B.C. This shows how carefully God preserved his chosen nation and its institutions. The priesthood was to reach its greatest glory in Christ. He would offer the supreme sacrifice—his spotless life for the sins of the world. John F. Brug, Ezra-Nehemiah-Esther (People’s Bible), p. 141

2. Share ways in which your study of Ezra and Nehemiah has affected your understanding of and/or appreciation for lists of names recorded in Scripture.

Nehemiah 12:27-47 – Dedication and Celebration 3. Picture this celebration in your mind’s eye. What leaves the biggest impression on you? Why?

4. Compare the elements of their celebration to our worship practices today (consider both “regular” and “special” worship occasions). What similarities do you see? What differences? What elements, if any, do you think would be beneficial for us to make more use of today?

5. Trace the routes of the procession on the map to the right. How can processions add to a worship celebration?

Map from Ezra Nehemiah Esther (People’s Bible), by John F. Brug © 1985 Northwestern Publishing House.

Nehemiah 13 – Final Reforms

6. What did Nehemiah do after the wall was rebuilt and worship reestablished? (v. 6)

7. Describe the problem Nehemiah discovered and how he dealt with each problem in of the following passages. a. 13:1-9

b. 13:10-13

c. 13:15-22

d. 13:23-28

8. Which of the sins dealt with in his chapter do you find most alarming? Why?

9. What does Israel’s inclination to repeat the same sins over and over again teach us about our human nature? How do we see the same thing in our own lives?

10. Read Proverbs 13:20 and Psalm 1. What do these passages and the book of Nehemiah teach us about the influence our close relationships can have on our moral values and spiritual growth?

11. In what ways does Nehemiah want God to “remember” him and others in this chapter? When might we pray, “Remember, my God…”?

12. List and share 1-2 key lessons you have learned from the study of Nehemiah.