WEEK # 2 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 

1. Into which section of the OT were the books Ezra and Nehemiah originally placed?
   
   They were placed in the Historical post-captivity, and in the section books from Joshua to Esther.
2. Why do you suppose they were linked so closely together as one book?
   
   I believe what the research it was because tradition say that Ezra wrote most of the first and second Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Psalm 119, but the two books were separated at some post of it translation.
3.  In what respect did the offices of the two men differ?
   
   Ezra was a scribe and of the priestly descent; Nehemiah was a cup-bearer to the King of Persia. They were contemporaries. Both men were leaders.
4.  What did both men undertake as leaders?
   
   They both were attacked by the enemy in the ministry God called them too. Ezra went through dangerous territories to get to Jerusalem; Nehemiah was attacked by Sanballat and Tobiah while rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.
5. Who possibly compiled both books?
   
   It is reported that Ezra did both books and II Chronicles according to Jewish tradition.
6. Identify the following dates:
   
    - 722 B.C.  The ten northern tribes of Israel were taken into captivity in Assyria.
   
   - 605 B.C.  Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, attacked the southern kingdom of Judah and began taking part of the Jews into Babylonian captivity.
   
    - 586 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the city of Jerusalem and the temple, carrying more Jews into Babylonian captivity.
   
    - 539 B.C.  The Medo-Persian Empire conquered Babylon.
   
    - 516 B.C.  The rebuilding of the temple of Jerusalem, begun under Zerubbabel, was completed. This was authorized by an edict of Darius, king of Persia
   
    - 458 B.C.   The second return of exiled Jews from Babylon to Judea began under the leadership of Ezra, authorized by Artaxerxes, king of Persia
   
    - 444 B.C.  Nehemiah went to Jerusalem and led the rebuilding of the city's walls. The walls of Jerusalem were dedicated, followed by Israel's spiritual renewal under Ezra and Nehemiah.
   
   7. In which two differing ways are the 70 years of Babylonian captivity reckoned?
   
   – The duration of the Babylonian captivity was precisely 70 years;
   
   – The reason for that captivity is that the Israelites had failed to observe 70 Sabbath years. (I will post a separate post on this soon).
   
   8. Under which leader was the following undertaken:
   
   - The first return of exiles? (During Cyrus's rule, Zerubbabel led the exiles back to Jerusalem to rebuild the altar and temple foundations (Ezra 3:2-3, 10). 538 BC No rebuilding work was able to be done in this period (Ezra 4:25). In the reign of Darius, the temple was rebuilt. Haggai and Zechariah were prophets.)
   
   - The second return of exiles? (Book of Nehemiah;  In the 20th year of Artaxerxes, king of Persia, (445/444 BC), Nehemiah was cup-bearer to the king. Learning that the remnant in Judah were in distress and that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, he asked the king for permission to return and rebuild the city.)
   
   - The rebuilding of the temple at Jerusalem? (This was done first)
   
   - The rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem? (A third wave returns with Nehemiah in 445 BC. They rebuild the city walls and gates but not many houses.)
   
   -The spiritual renewals of the Jews in Jerusalem? (A second party returns with Ezra about 80 years later. They make spiritual and religious restoration and reform.)
   
   9. Under which Persian kings did the above events occur?
   
   - The first return of exiles? (King Cyrus) (Re-building Temple)
   
   - The second return of exiles? (King Artaxerxes) (Re-building Walls)
   
   -The spiritual renewals of the Jews in Jerusalem? (King Artaxerxes, known as Xerxes, and Ahasuerus, which was king of Persia) (Ezra 4:24-5:2; Haggai 1:1-15)
   
   10. Give the basic outline for Ezra and Nehemiah with chapter divisions. 

1. The first return under Zerubbabel and the rebuilding of the temple (Ezra 1-6).
2. The second return under Ezra and the spiritual restoration of the people (Ezra 7-10).
3. The rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1-7)
4. The spiritual renewed of God's people under Ezra and Nehemiah (Nehemiah 8-13).