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SESSION 6

PRAISE

The Point Serving God includes celebrating His great work.

The Passage Nehemiah 8:9-12; 12:27-31a

The Bible Meets Life Right before Easter, a news reporter asked me a simple question: “How do you tell the same story every year and keep it fresh?” She wanted to know how our church celebrated Easter every year without it getting old and tired. For the outsider, that’s a valid question. All over the world Christians reflect on their sins and Jesus’ death each year on Good Friday. Then on Sunday they move into a celebration of Christ’s resurrection. It’s the same story year after year: Jesus died for our sins and rose again to give us the victory of life. I answered her question. “Every year my wife and I celebrate the birth of our children. It’s the same story, the same celebration, on the same day. Celebrating our kids’ birthdays never gets old. We look forward to it. It’s the same with Easter. We never tire of sharing the greatest story of all time.” In the Book of Nehemiah the people moved into a time of worship and celebration. It never gets old to celebrate God’s work on our behalf.

The Setting After the completion of the wall, the Jews gathered at the Water Gate in Jerusalem and listened to Ezra the scribe read from the Book of the Law. Levites moved throughout the crowd and explained what the passages meant. From there, the people moved into a time of celebration of all that God had done. The people also took a vow of faithfulness to God before gathering to dedicate the wall and honor God’s work once again.

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What does the Bible say?

Nehemiah 8:9-12; 12:27-31a Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. 8: 9

Then he said to them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

10

And the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, since today is holy. Don’t grieve.” 11

Then all the people began to eat and drink, send portions, and have a great celebration, because they had understood the words that were explained to them. 12

............................. At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, they sent for the Levites wherever they lived and brought them to Jerusalem to celebrate the joyous dedication with thanksgiving and singing accompanied by cymbals, harps, and lyres. 12:27

The singers gathered from the region around Jerusalem, from the settlements of the Netophathites, 28

from Beth-gilgal, and from the fields of Geba and Azmaveth, for they had built settlements for themselves around Jerusalem. 29

After the priests and Levites had purified themselves, they purified the people, the city gates, and the wall.

30

Then I brought the leaders of Judah up on top of the wall, and I appointed two large processions that gave thanks.

31a

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THE POINT

Serving God includes celebrating His great work.

GET INTO THE STUDY

5 minutes

DISCUSS: Question #1 on page 121 of

Notes

the Personal Study Guide (PSG): “What’s a memorable celebration you’ve been a part of?” Allow time for each person to respond. GUIDE: Direct group members to “The Bible Meets Life” on page 122 of the PSG. Emphasize the importance of celebrating the Lord and His work by reading or summarizing the text—or by encouraging group members to read it on their own. GUIDE: Call attention to “The Point” on page 122 of the PSG: “Serving God includes celebrating His great work.” ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): Invite members to call out favorite songs of praise (if the church has song books, distribute one to each member of your group). Enlist someone to lead the group in singing one verse of one or two of the songs. Between the verses, ask members to mention one reason for praising God. PRAY: Transition into the study by praising the Lord for who He is and what He has done in our midst. Thank Him for His faithfulness to Nehemiah and to us.

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15 minutes

STUDY THE BIBLE Nehemiah 8:9-12

Notes

Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. 10 Then he said to them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the LORD is your strength.” 11 And the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, since today is holy. Don’t grieve.” 12 Then all the people began to eat and drink, send portions, and have a great celebration, because they had understood the words that were explained to them. 9

READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Nehemiah 8:9-12 on page 123 of the PSG. DISCUSS: Question #2 on page 123 of the PSG: “What captures your attention about these verses?” ALTERNATE QUESTION: When has a truth from Scripture really resonated with you?

RECAP: Restoration began for the Jews as they heard God’s Word. The reading of God’s Word convicted the people and they felt the weight of their sin. Scripture exposes our sin. When we focus on a holy God, as revealed in Scripture, we become aware that we are not holy. We become conscious of both the things we have done but should not have—sins of commission—and the things we should have done but didn’t—sins of omission. GUIDE: Use the Commentary on the next page of this Leader Guide to help group members understand how being “still” led to celebration by God’s people. DISCUSS: Question #3 on page 124 of the PSG: “How can the joy of the Lord be our strength?” TRANSITION: The next verses show us how we are to celebrate and give thanks to God for His work.

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THE POINT

Serving God includes celebrating His great work.

Nehemiah 8:9-12 Commentary [Verse 9] The people had fallen on their faces in worship, likely in a spirit of sadness and regret. They had spent years ignoring God’s ways and reaping the consequences of their actions. While they were eager to learn God’s Law, they also mourned over what they had done wrong. Thus, the entire congregation wept as they realized just how far they had strayed. But the leaders wanted the Jews to remember what the day was all about. While spiritual renewal and repentance were important, it was not just a day to mourn and weep. It was a holy day to rejoice and to show gratitude for all God had done. The idea of holiness means to “set apart” for God’s particular service. In this case, an entire day was singled out for special focus on God. The leaders did not want it remembered only for the sadness it caused. It was the first day of the seventh month (see Neh. 8:2), the day designated for the annual Feast of the Trumpets (or Rosh Hashanah). Traditionally, this would have been a day of great celebration when a shofar—a trumpet made of a ram’s horn—would be sounded to start ten days of awe. These days led up to the Day of Atonement, the holiest day on Israel’s calendar. [Verse 10] As an alternative to mourning, Jerusalem’s leaders counseled the people to celebrate. The food and drink mentioned were probably related to a special peace, or fellowship, offering, more like meals, where the one making the sacrifice would consume a portion of the meat and drink being offered. It also could have been part of a larger feast meal prepared for the residents. As part of the celebration, people were challenged to share with those who had nothing of their own. Celebrations are meant to be shared. The Jews needed to reach out to their neighbors. Again, the emphasis was on the day’s holiness as motivation for changing tears into triumph. The leaders wanted the people to remember all the powerful things God had done through them in such a short amount of time. This joy that comes from God—and is directed back to Him in celebration—provides strength for daily living. [Verses 11-12] The Levites continued to emphasize the holiness of the day and how this should affect the people. Be still carries the idea of calming one’s heart and spirit. They needed to step back, regain their composure, and reflect on their reasons to celebrate. After much encouragement, the people finally began to celebrate God’s good gifts. It was likely the first national celebration held in Jerusalem since before the Babylonian exile. It marked a turning point for the city and nation. The feasts and festivals of the Law were part of Israel’s national identity. To celebrate one of the major holidays was a big step forward for the people. If building the wall gave them a sense of security, observing the Feast of Trumpets gave them a sense of purpose. The sum of all these things added together was that the people understood what had been shared with them. They grasped not just the words, but also the spirit behind their faith.

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10 minutes

STUDY THE BIBLE Nehemiah 12:27-29

Notes

At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, they sent for the Levites wherever they lived and brought them to Jerusalem to celebrate the joyous dedication with thanksgiving and singing accompanied by cymbals, harps, and lyres. 28 The singers gathered from the region around Jerusalem, from the settlements of the Netophathites, 29 from Beth-gilgal, and from the fields of Geba and Azmaveth, for they had built settlements for themselves around Jerusalem. 27

READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Nehemiah 12:27-29 on page 125 of the PSG. RECAP: In Nehemiah 12, the walls were dedicated with a large celebration, but recall what brought them to this point. When the process had begun, most of the walls were rubble; now the walls stood complete. The people stood restored as well. They had pushed back threats from enemies. They had resolved a major internal conflict between the rich and poor. They had worked tirelessly for fiftytwo long days, at times with a sword in one hand and a trowel in the other. The presence of the Word of God moved them through grief to forgiveness and joy. GUIDE: Use the Commentary on the next page of this Leader Guide to help group members understand the worship and celebration for the Lord that took place. LEADER PACK: In advance, display Pack Item 11, “52 Days” poster, and share that the Jewish people completed the wall in an astonishing fifty-two days. Only with God’s favor could such a task be completed. Ask: “What is one thing you’d like God to accomplish in our church?” Distribute sticky notes and invite group members to write their response then place the note on the poster. Use this poster as a visual reminder to pray for God to do big things in and through your church. DISCUSS: Question #4 on page 125 of the PSG: “When has a time of worship been particularly meaningful for you?”

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THE POINT

Serving God includes celebrating His great work.

Nehemiah 12:27-29 Commentary [Verse 27] Sometime after the work was completed and the people celebrated God’s goodness, they gathered again for the dedication of the wall. This special event combined the secular activity of building the wall with the sacred task of worshiping the powerful God who made it happen. The passage serves as a good reminder that, in God’s mind, there is no distinction between service and celebration. Work is ordained by God (see Gen. 2:15) and presented by humanity as an offering to God (see Col. 3:23), an act of worship in itself. The Levites played a key role in the celebration. Their presence reminds readers that the commitment to the spiritual revival of the city and nation was still a prime concern, even in the midst of a festive atmosphere. Nehemiah highlighted two aspects of the dedication in particular. First, he noted the people were thankful. Since Nehemiah’s arrival, their prospects had been transformed in less than two months. Reflecting on everything nurtured a spirit of gratitude in their hearts, and that gratitude overflowed in thanksgiving toward God. The second aspect involved singing. Worship and celebration take many forms, but music traditionally has been a key component when God’s people come together. Apparently, the Levites were accomplished musicians, as well as effective teachers of the law. The celebration included worship leaders playing cymbals, harps, and lyres. A significant instrumental performance went hand-in-hand with vocal praise. [Verses 28-29] When God’s people come together to honor God’s work, they find common purpose and mission. Just as individuals are challenged to draw closer to God and recommit themselves to Him, the entire community can gain momentum for kingdom work and God’s glory. The Hebrew translated “thanksgiving” in verse 27 is sometimes rendered “choir” and points to the presence of choirs at the celebration event. This fact is reinforced by the reference to singers in verse 28. These individuals may have been included in the number of Levites who came to the city. But Scripture is clear they came from across the region for one purpose—to lead the people in praise. The villages of the Netophathites were likely located to the southeast of Bethlehem and Jerusalem, while Beth-gilgal was farther north and east, near the spot the Jordan River flowed into the Dead Sea. Geba and Azmaveth lay to the north of Jerusalem in territory that once belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. Some of these Jews had migrated back toward Jerusalem and built villages in the vicinity. Still, the presence of these worship leaders shows another example of Nehemiah’s working to restore Israel’s identity. The celebration was open to every Jew from every corner of the nation, reminding celebrants that God had a greater plan for their city and their country.

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10 minutes

STUDY THE BIBLE Nehemiah 12:30-31a

Notes

After the priests and Levites had purified themselves, they purified the people, the city gates, and the wall. 31a Then I brought the leaders of Judah up on top of the wall, and I appointed two large processions that gave thanks. 30

READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Nehemiah 12:30-31a on page 125 of the PSG. RECAP: In addition to thanksgiving, the dedication also included purification. This purification process was a symbol of something occurring in the hearts of the people. The point of this dedication was not only to celebrate the completion of the walls, but a time for the entire community and everyone in it to be purified, set apart for God, and dedicated fully to Him. The purification, the dedication, and celebration were things the believers did together. We cannot fully express the depth of our thanksgiving to God and then keep it to ourselves. Our worship has a richness and beauty that comes through ALTERNATE QUESTION: What has happened recently in your spiritual life that we can celebrate together?

the gathering of God’s people. DISCUSS: Question #5 on page 126 of the PSG: “How can our group incorporate this kind of celebration into our community?” DO: Direct group members to complete the activity “Words of Praise” on page 127 of the PSG to help them understand the importance of celebrating the Lord. Complete the acrostic with specific things for which you can praise God: [PSG lists P-R-A-I-S-E.] Write a brief prayer of praise for who God is and what He has done in your life. GUIDE: Refer back to “The Point” for this session: “Serving God includes celebrating His great work.”

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THE POINT

Serving God includes celebrating His great work.

Nehemiah 12:30-31a Commentary [Verse 30] In addition to the thanksgiving and music, the celebration included a ritual cleansing of the leadership and people. The priests and Levites needed to undergo cleansing before they could effectively lead the people in covenant worship. The Law outlined a detailed procedure for this cleansing, but Nehemiah was not specific about what this process entailed. Likely, it included elements such as fasting and sacrifices. It also may have involved spouses abstaining from sexual relations for a time, along with ritual bathing (or sprinkling with clean water) and wearing clean clothes. Each of these practices was traditionally associated with cleansing and renewal. This celebration was rooted in the presence of God among His people. For His presence to manifest itself, the people had to be clean before Him—from leaders to nobles to common laborers. God still expects His people to approach Him in purity when they come into His presence. Fortunately, we no longer need the ceremonies and rituals because we are made pure through the blood of Christ. It is important to note that leaders were cleansed before the people. The Book of Nehemiah is a textbook of sorts on the subject of leadership. This is another example of a best practice. To effectively guide people, leaders first had to be aligned with God’s plans and purpose. They could not lead the people into areas where they had not already passed. It was important for them to set the example. Once the leaders had been cleansed, they could set about the task of dedicating the wall. But Nehemiah pointed out they didn’t just purify the wall. They next purified the people who had built the wall along with the gates. This holistic sanctification underscores how seriously God takes purity. People were set apart for His purposes, but so was the city itself. God’s name would rest on them and on this place, so both needed to be purified before Him. After decades of exile, it is hard to know how long the people or the city had gone without such a ritual purification. But Nehemiah, Ezra, and other leaders recognized the importance of the action. The city was getting a new birth, a fresh start. Purification was a symbolic gesture that reminded the people things had changed. They were no longer the property of foreign powers. They were once again God’s people for God’s glory. [Verse 31a] Once the purification had taken place, the celebration could start. The people had been ceremonially cleansed and now could fully worship God with their whole hearts. Nehemiah brought the leaders to the top of the wall and divided them into two groups to lead in the celebration. Later verses let us know one group went to the right, while the other went toward the left. (See vv. 31b-43.) Together, the two groups circled the wall with praise as a way to dedicate it to the Lord who had made the rebuilding of the wall possible. One can only imagine the attitude of the people as they saw the leaders marching on a wall that had not existed a short time earlier. Archaeological research has determined that Jerusalem’s wall was around nine feet thick, so it would have had plenty of room for singers and leaders to walk two or three abreast. This display served as a vivid reminder of God’s goodness and His provision for His people. It is also possible their enemies outside the walls could hear the procession and would be reminded that efforts to thwart God’s plans had come to nothing.

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5 minutes

LIVE IT OUT GUIDE: Direct group members to page 128 of the PSG. Encourage them to choose one of the

Notes

following activities:

>> Confess. Write down any unconfessed

sin. Reflect on how this sin offended God. Repent and thank God for His forgiveness in Christ. Shred or burn the paper as an act of joy.

>> Talk. Talk with a friend, family member, or acquaintance who recently had

reason to celebrate. Talk about the work and presence of God in what he or she experienced. Share a moment of joyful thanksgiving with him or her.

>> Invite. Invite a neighbor or coworker to your home for dinner, someone who

has never been to your home. Make a lavish dinner and demonstrate God’s joy in your extravagance.

Wrap It Up TRANSITION: Read or restate the final paragraph from page 128 of the PSG: We can live lives of joy because of Christ’s work in us. We have God’s joy because the Holy Spirit sustains us. A key part of serving God is celebrating His work with praise! PRAY: Conclude by celebrating all that God has done in the life of your group. Be as specific as possible. Ask Him to do even greater things in the future and to use your group to make His fame spread.

Grow with other group leaders at the Groups Ministry blog. LifeWay.com/GroupMinistry 156

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NEHEMIAH: A HISTORICAL SETTING BY KEVIN C. PEACOCK ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO/ G.B. HOWELL/ LOUVRE MUSEUM (35/7/78)

A symbol of Persia’s growing influence, this amulet, part of a counterweight necklace, is inscribed with the name of Darius (the First). Egypt came under the rule of the Persian Empire.

All people are affected by the course of history. In turn, people affect history’s course—some more than others. Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the king of Persia, lived in a historically significant time and was used by God to dramatically affect Israel’s history. Nehemiah was certainly a man for his time.

Life in the Exile When the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem in 586 B.C.,1 Judah’s political independence had vanished and the Davidic monarchy had all but disappeared. (See 2 Kings 24:15-16.) Many citizens were exiled to Babylon (see v. 14), while others fled to Egypt and surrounding areas. (See 25:26.) The holy city was in ruins, and the temple had been burned and plundered. (See vv. 9-17.) Communities of Israelites formed during the exile in Babylon BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

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and in Egypt. (See Jer. 43:1-7; 44:1.) The Babylonian exilic communities were located mainly between Babylon and Nippur. (See Ezek. 1:1; 3:15.)

We have little information of the population that remained in Judah. Some continued to worship at the altar of the ruined temple. (See Jer. 41:4-5.) This group was comprised mostly of the “poorest of the land” (2 Kings 25:12), plus some refugee Israelites who drifted back to their homeland. (See Jer. 40:11-12.) In spite of the Babylonians inflicting harsh treatment and forced labor conditions, these persons were still able to eke out a meager existence. (See Lam. 5:2-5,11-13.) Foreign peoples moved into the land—Edomites and Arabians from the south, Ammonites from the east, Samaritans from the north, and the Phoenicians into the west. Judah eventually became a society of foreign peoples living among and inter-mixing with Jews. Intermarriage with pagans became a serious problem. (See Ezra 10:18-44; Neh. 13:23-28.) Children grew up without religious guidance, and many lost the ability to speak Hebrew and read the Scriptures. (See v. 24.) Aramaic became the common language of the people of the Diaspora, and knowledge of God’s law was limited.3

The Persian Period

Dating to the reign of Artaxerxes I (465-424 BC), this contract concerns the transactions of property in the city of Shatir, in Babylon’s Nippur region.

Cyrus II “the Great”—Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar died in 562. Just over two decades later (539), the Persians defeated the Babylonian Empire. Persia’s King Cyrus extended the Medo-Persian Empire from the Aegean Sea to India in less than ten years. A wise and humane leader seeking loyal subjects, Cyrus sought to uphold human dignity. He brought as little destruction as possible on a city, not allowing his soldiers to loot, rape, or terrorized the conquered people. His main policy for rule was “return to normalcy.”4 To do this, he allowed the conquered peoples to rebuild and reestablish their worship systems, including temples and gods the Babylonians had destroyed or taken.5 Cyrus allowed deported peoples to return to their homelands. With the “Edict of Cyrus” (539), the Jewish exiles could return home and rebuild their temple. (See Ezra 1:2-4; 6:3-5; 2 Chron. 36:23.) Cyrus thus won great respect from his subjects and solidified his reign. Sheshbazzar, “prince of Judah,” led the first group of exiles back to Judah, returning some temple vessels. Appointed governor of “Yehud” (the Persian province of Judah), he began rebuilding the temple around 538-537. (See Ezra 1:7-11; 5:14-16.) Zerubbabel continued the building project until work ceased because of local opposition. (See 3:7–4:5.) The work laid unfinished for over a decade until the reign of Darius.6

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ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO/ G.B. HOWELL/ LOUVRE MUSEUM (35/9/79)

Conditions in Babylon were favorable for many deportees. They were able to maintain fairly normal lives, their Jewish identity, and worship of God. Some acquired their own businesses and houses. (See Jer. 29:4-9.) Some rose to prominence in the royal court.2 (See Dan. 1:3-7.) As a result, many exiles did not want to return to Judah. (See Ezra 8:15-20.)

ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO/ LOUISE KOHL SMITH (32/21/11)

Half-Moon Bay at Izmir, on the Aegean Sea. During his reign, Cyrus the Great extended the Babylonian Empire from the Aegean eastward to India.

The Jews born and raised in exile faced opposition from many who had remained in Judah. (See Ezek. 11:14-16.) Those who continued to worship at the temple ruins probably felt no need for a new altar or temple. Having possessed the land for a significant length of time (a generation or two), they considered it theirs and were reticent to share. (See 33:24.) The people of Samaria, pagan foreigners who had intermarried with Israelites, offered to help with the rebuilding project. (See 2 Kings 17:29; Ezra 4:1-2.) Their rejected offer (see Ezra 4:3) may have contributed to later tensions. While the returnees found land, built homes, and reestablished themselves in Judah, “the land was devastated by a series of droughts and crop failures (Hag. 1:10-11; 2:16-17).”7 Thus work on the temple came to a halt. Cambyses II (530-522)—Persia’s next ruler added Egypt to the empire, making the Persian Empire the greatest the world had ever known and making him the first Persian ruler over Egypt. Throughout his reign the returned exiles faced ongoing opposition in rebuilding. (See Ezra 4:5; Hag. 1:2-4.) Darius I “the Great” (522–486)—The best-known ruler of Persia brought the empire to its pinnacle. He organized it into twenty regional provinces or “satrapies,” each governed by a satrap. (See Dan. 6:1-4; Ezra 7:21; Neh. 2:7.) The fifth satrapy, called “Beyond the River,” included Yehud. Local governors (such as later Nehemiah) served under the satrap. Darius built a sophisticated road system and developed postal delivery to advance his government throughout the empire. Starting a war with the Greeks, he expanded into the west, sought to strengthen his control of Asia Minor, and moved into Macedonia. Though he was able to punish Athens and Sparta, he was unable to subdue the Greeks.8 Zerubbabel, a descendant of David (see 1 Chron. 3:19), was appointed governor. (See Hag. 2:21.) Haggai and Zechariah encouraged him to rebuild the temple (see Ezra 5:1-2; 6:14; Hag. 1–2; Zech. 4:1-14), resuming the work eighteen years after the Cyrus Decree (520). Darius ordered the satrap and people to leave the workers alone and to pay for the building project with local tax revenues. (See Ezra 5:3; 6:1-13.) The Bible does not mention Zerubbabel at the completion or dedication of the temple in 515. (See Ezra 6:14-18.)9 Ahasuerus (486-465)—Though prominent in the Book of Esther, Ahasuerus lost power over Greece when the Greeks defeated his naval fleet in the straits of Salamis (480). Ahasuerus did not trouble himself with Judah’s problems, but Diaspora Jews became his concern in the Esther story. Malachi’s ministry likely took place during Ahasuerus’ reign, several decades after the temple was rebuilt. Malachi encountered problems similar to those Nehemiah faced: mixed-faith marriages (see Mal. 2:11-15), failure to tithe (see 3:8-10), contemptible worship and corrupt priests (see 1:6–2:9), and social problems. (See 3:5.)10 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

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Artaxerxes I (465-424)—Persia’s next ruler faced much unrest during his reign. The Greeks had defeated the Persian army at Memphis in Egypt (459). Artaxerxes knew that a strong Jewish community in and around Israel would serve as a buffer and would hinder Greek advancement especially from Egypt. Artaxerxes thus sent Ezra to Judah (458) immediately after the fall of Memphis and strongly supported him.11 When Artaxerxes made a treaty with the Greeks (449) he had no need for a buffer zone, so he ceased the generous privileges to Yehud.12 Apparently, in the roughly sixty years after its completion, the temple had fallen into disrepair, and the people had abandoned sacrificial law. “Artaxerxes” sent Ezra in 458 to Judah to repair and renovate the temple and reestablish the sacrificial system.13 A priest and scribe, Ezra was to train the Jewish people in the Mosaic Law (see Ezra 7:6-8,11), establishing it as the law of the community. Those claiming the privileges as Jews in Persian society had to accept the obligations of their religion. Artaxerxes authorized Ezra to demand help from local officials and to appoint judges in the land. (See vv. 21-26.) Sometime early in Artaxerxes’ reign the people tried to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. Their enemies accused them of fortifying for rebellion, and Artaxerxes ordered the builders to stop. The opposition intervened forcefully (4:7-23), and they apparently destroyed anything that had been repaired. News of this destruction spurred Nehemiah to resume the building project. (See Neh. 1:3; 2:5-8.) As the king’s cupbearer, Nehemiah held strong influence. (See 1:11.) God moved Artaxerxes to allow Nehemiah to return. (See 2:8.) Thus Nehemiah arrived in Judah about seventy years after the temple rededication and thirteen years after Ezra began his ministry (445). He had Artaxerxes’ authority to rebuild the walls and serve as local governor over a depressed and defeated community that was morally and spiritually anemic. Nehemiah faced major opposition from Sanballat, governor of Samaria (see 2:10), who probably sensed he was losing influence over Judah. Despite the opposition, the workers completed the wall in 52 days. (See 6:15.) Nehemiah spent twelve years in Jerusalem as governor, returning to Artaxerxes around 433, returning to govern Jerusalem a second time. (See 13:6-7.) Nehemiah brought significant social and religious reforms during his two administrations. (See 5:1-19; 13:15-31.) With Nehemiah’s ministry the history of the Old Testament came to a close.

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This article by Kevin C. Peacock, professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Canadian southern Baptist seminary, Cochrane, Alberta, Canada, originally appeared in the Spring 2009 issue of Biblical Illustrator magazine. Each quarter Biblical Illustrator offers in-depth articles and information that support our weekly Bible study lessons. You can subscribe to Biblical Illustrator by going to www.lifeway.com/ biblicalillustrator, by using your church’s quarterly literature order form, or by calling 1-800-458-2772. 1. All dates given will be B.C. 2. Allen P. Ross, “Exile,” in New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, gen. ed. Willem A. VanGemeren (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997), 4:599. 3. Edwin Yamauchi, “Ezra-Nehemiah” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, vol. 4 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1988), 568, 570; Charles F. Pfeiffer, Old Testament History (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1973), 416-17. 4. Pfeiffer, 505-506. 5. Josephus, The Antiquities of the Jews in The Works of Josephus: Complete and Unabridged, trans. William Whiston (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1987), 11.1.2 (p. 286). 6. Jack Finegan, Handbook of Biblical Chronology: Principles of Time Reckoning in the Ancient World and ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO/JUSTIN VENEMAN (35/68/84) Problems of Chronology in the Bible, rev. ed. (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1998), 267. 7. Robert L. Cate, These Sought a Country: A History of Israel in Old Testament Times (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1985), 365-66. 8. Thomas Brisco, Holman Bible Atlas (Nashville: B & H Publishing, 1998), 167. 9. Rex Mason, “Zerubbabel” in New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, gen. ed. Willem A. VanGemeren (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997), 4:1313. 10. Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., Malachi: God’s Unchanging Love (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1984), 16. 11. Tremper Longman III, “History of Israel 7: Persian Period,” in Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books, eds. Bill T. Arnold and H. G. M. Williamson (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2005), 490. 12. Iain Provan, V. Philips Long, and Tremper Longman III, A Biblical History of Israel (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2003), 299-300. 13. Derek Kidner, Ezra and Nehemiah: An Introduction and Commentary (Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1979), 146-58.

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facebook.com/biblestudiesforlife Interact with other group leaders and members. Ask questions. Share stories. Get helpful links to additional resources.

@biblemeetslife Follow us to stay up to date with our latest blog articles and other Bible Studies for Life news. You can also respond to discussion questions by using hashtags that go along with each session, such as #BSFLpeace, or creating hashtags just for your group.

ENDNOTES 1. Kenneth A. Mathews, Genesis 1–11:26, vol. 1a in The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1996), 238. 2. Ibid., 244-45. 3. J ohn B. Polhill, Acts, vol. 26 in The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1992), 120–121. 4. P aige Patterson, Revelation, vol. 39 in The New American Commentary (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2012), 365–66. 5. E . Ray Clendenen, “Malachi” in Haggai, Malachi, vol. 21a in The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishing Group, 2004), 417-418. 6. Daniel Akin, 10 Who Changed the World (B&H, 2012), 29-46.

BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

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COMING NEXT QUARTER Welcome Home: Connecting and Engaging People in Your Church SUGGESTED FOR THE WEEK OF

September 2

Session 1

Reality Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Titus 3:3-11

September 9

Session 2

Open Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James 2:1-10

September 16

Session 3

Gracious Hospitality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Peter 4:7-11

September 23

Session 4

Intentional Love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Luke 10:25-37

September 30

Session 5

Authentic Joy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

October 7

Session 6

Going Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Acts 16:6-15

How to Pray October 14

Session 1

The Object of Our Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matthew 6:9a; Psalm 103:1-5,11-13,19-22

October 21

Session 2

A Prayer of Praise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matthew 6:9b; Psalm 96:1-9

October 28

Session 3

A Prayer of Surrender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matthew 6:10-11a; James 4:6-10,13-17

November 4

Session 4

Praying for Ourselves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matthew 6:11b; Isaiah 38:1-6,15-17

November 11

Session 5

Praying for Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matthew 6:11b; John 17:11-23

November 18

Session 6

A Prayer of Confession . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matthew 6:12-13; Psalm 51:1-7,10-12

November 25

Session 7

A Prayer of Thanksgiving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Psalm 138:1-8

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BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

INTRODUCING THE DAILY DISCIPLESHIP GUIDE. Because life doesn’t just happen one day a week.

This fall we’re adding the Daily Discipleship Guide to the Bible Studies for Life family. This new option makes it easier to apply God’s Word to your life all week long. And leaders will like it for a number of reasons:

Aligns Daily Bible Study with the Group Experience Instead of studying beforehand, participants attend the group and then build upon what they learned using five daily devotionals.

Guest Friendly Everyone who comes to the group starts on the same page. Guests and even participants who’ve been absent for a while won’t feel like they’ve missed anything if they didn’t study before the meeting.

Easier for Training New Leaders The leader material is in the back of the Guide—so leaders in training can just follow along with you without needing a different book.

Great for Discipleship Groups Group members that meet in smaller groups for deeper discipleship will love the Talk It Out section. This gives them more questions to discuss about that week’s study.

Works with Phones or Tablets An eBook version is also available, for those who prefer a paperless approach to Bible study.

See a free preview at BibleStudiesForLife.com/DDG

Coming Up Next New Studies for Fall 2018 TOPICS W​e​lcome Home: Connecting and Engaging People in Your Church BY THOM RAINER

How to Pray BY KIE BOWMAN

SCRIPTURE Studies from the Gospels and various Old and New Testament passages

Want to use Bible Studies for Life with other age groups? Preview Bible Studies for Life for Kids, Students, Young Adults, and Senior Adults at BibleStudiesForLife.com. And now, you can choose the Bible translation that appears in your study.

CHECK OUT THESE ADDITIONAL STUDY OPTIONS FOR ANY OTHER TIME YOU NEED A BIBLE STUDY.

Volume 1: In the Beginning Unit 1: Creation and the Fall (Genesis, Job) Unit 2: God Establishes a Covenant People (Genesis) Unit 3: God Grows His Covenant People (Genesis) Writers: J. D. Greear, Philip Nation, John Onwuchekwa, Chris Pappalardo, and Mary Jo Sharp

WWW.LIFEWAY.COM

GospelProject.com SUMMER 2018

Scripture: Galatians and James Dr. James Merritt, General Editor LifeWay.com/ExploreTheBible

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