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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 We know the happiness—even celebration—of coming to the end of a task: turning in a research paper, hammering the last nail in a building project, or attending a retirement party. Some tasks are harder to celebrate either because we do not see the end result or the progress is slow. We can—and should—still celebrate the work we do for God because He will bring great good out of what we do for Him—and that is always cause for celebration.

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 (CSB) 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,

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

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

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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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S e ss i o n 6

THE POINT

Serving God includes celebrating His great work.

GET INTO THE STUDY

10 minutes

ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): To introduce

Notes

the idea of celebration, play the song “Celebration” as your group members arrive. Once everyone is assembled, ask, “What kinds of things do we celebrate as a culture?” Allow time for responses. (For a link to this song, go to BibleStudiesForLife. com/AdultExtra and click on the Leader Extra for today’s session.) DISCUSS: Invite your group members to discuss Question #1 on page 121 of the PSG (Personal Study Guide): “What’s a memorable celebration you’ve been a part

TIP: This is the last session of this six-week study. Make a point to offer group members a time to review and share what God has taught them through this study.

of?” Allow time for each person in your group to respond. SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 122): 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. 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.” SAY: “In Nehemiah 8, the people moved into a time of worship and celebration.” GUIDE: Call attention to The Point on page 122 of the PSG: “Serving God includes

PACK ITEM:

celebrating His great work.”

Pack Item #11 “52 Days” poster

PRAY: Transition into the discussion with prayer.

“Nailed to the Cross” By Rend Collective

PLAYLIST PICK:

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10 minutes

STUDY THE BIBLE Nehemiah 8:9-12 (CSB)

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

ALTERNATE QUESTION: When has a truth from Scripture really resonated with you?

READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Nehemiah 8:9-12. DISCUSS: Question #2 on page 123 of the PSG: “How would you summarize what is happening in these verses?” SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGES 123-124): Restoration began for the Jews as they heard God’s Word and they felt the weight of their sin.

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“All the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law” (v. 9). God’s Word prompted a collective realization that they had sinned against God. In repentance, the people began to turn away from sin and back toward God. They did not hate just the consequences of their sins; they hated the sins themselves.

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God did not leave the Jews to wallow in guilt. His grace is evident in this passage. The people surely needed to grieve over their disobedience to God’s Word, but God did not leave them there. He forgave and restored them. How do we know God forgave them? Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites instructed the people to do two things: Stop weeping. Start celebrating.

DISCUSS: Question #3 on page 124 of the PSG: “How can the joy of the Lord be our strength?” TRANSITION: In the next verses we’ll see more of how the Jewish people celebrated God’s work among them.

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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 (Nehemiah 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, and 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. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

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10 minutes

STUDY THE BIBLE Nehemiah 12:27-31a (CSB)

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. 30 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. 27

READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Nehemiah 12:27-29. (Note: You’ll read verses 30-31a later in the session.) SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGES 125-126): In Nehemiah 12, the walls were dedicated with a large celebration, but recall what brought them to this point.

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The people had pushed back threats from enemies. They had resolved a major internal conflict between the rich and poor. They had worked tirelessly for fifty-two long days, at times with a sword in one hand and a trowel in the other.

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The presence of the Word of God moved them through grief to forgiveness and joy. Their celebration was as much about God’s work in their lives, as it was the work on the wall. The broken walls at the beginning of the narrative represented their own spiritual decay. Now, the completed walls demonstrated their complete commitment to God.

DISCUSS: Question #4 on page 125 of the PSG: “When has a time of worship been particularly meaningful to you?” LEADER PACK: Display Pack Item #11, “52 Days,” 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 on one then place it on the poster. Use this poster as a visual reminder to pray for God to do big things in and through your church.

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THE POINT

Serving God includes celebrating His great work.

Nehemiah 12:27-31a 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 (Genesis 2:15) and presented by humanity as an offering to God (Colossians 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 that 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 12:27-31a (CSB) Continued

Notes

READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Nehemiah 12:30-31a. SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 126): God desired a restored people; the walls were merely a way to encourage the people to return to Him with joy. The dedication was about what God had done in them, not what they had done over fifty-two days.

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In addition to thanksgiving, the dedication included purification. “After the priests and Levites had purified themselves, they purified the people, the city gates, and the wall” (v. 30).

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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.

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The purification, the dedication, and celebration were things the people did together. The people did not celebrate individually in their homes; they came together to praise God.

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Earlier, during the building process, Tobiah had criticized their efforts. “Indeed, even if a fox climbed up what they are building, he would break down their stone wall!” (4:3). Yet, Nehemiah “brought the leaders of Judah up on top of the wall” (v. 31a). A group of leaders was praising God on top of the wall. It was a testimony to the sturdiness of God’s promise.

DO: Instruct group members to complete the activity on page 127 on their own. If time allows, invite volunteers to share their responses aloud. ALTERNATE QUESTION: What has happened recently in your spiritual life that we can celebrate together?

GOD RESTORES: There are many ways to show our gratitude to God. Using the acrostic below, identify a few ways you can express your appreciation for who He is and what He has done for you. An example has been done for you. (Note: The PSG includes an acrostic of the word “Thanks” and the example: “Honor Him by participating in worship each week.”) DISCUSS: Question #5 on page 126 of the PSG: “How can we help one another celebrate God’s work more regularly?”

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THE POINT

Serving God includes celebrating His great work.

Nehemiah 12:27-31a Commentary Continued Verse 30: In addition to the thanksgiving and music, the celebration included a ritual cleansing of the leadership and people. 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. 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. His name would rest on them and on this place, so both needed to be purified before Him. The city was getting a new birth, a fresh start. 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. 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 (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. Previous Biblical Illustrator articles “Postexilic Hebrew Worship Practices” (Winter 2006-2007), “Ezra, Scribe and Priest” (Winter 2006-2007), “The Levites” (Winter 2001-2002), and “Nehemiah As a Governor” (Fall 1995) relate to this lesson and can be purchased, along with other articles for this quarter, at www.lifeway.com/biblicalillustrator. Look for Bundles: Bible Studies for Life.

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5 minutes

LIVE IT OUT SAY: “How will you joyfully celebrate God’s work?”

Notes

GUIDE: Lead group members to consider the responses to the Bible study listed on page 128 of the PSG.

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Confess. Write down any unconfessed sin. Reflect on how these sins offend God. Repent and thank God for His forgiveness in Christ. Shred the paper as an act of joy.

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Share the joy. Meet a friend for coffee or a meal this week. Find out what God has been teaching them recently and share about what He’s teaching you. Recognize and celebrate God’s ongoing work of restoration in the lives of His people.

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Celebrate. As a group, make plans to gather for a meal together. Invite each person to come prepared to share one thing they’d like to celebrate. This will give your group a chance to recognize God’s ongoing work in the lives of your group members and emphasize the importance of celebrating those things together.

Wrap It Up
 SAY: “A key part of serving God is celebrating His work with praise. Every prayer, every act of service, and every moment in God’s Word is a small celebration. We can live lives of joy because of God’s restorative work in us.”

Additional ideas for your group are available at BibleStudiesforLife.com/AdultExtra 156

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

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  BC,1 Judah’s political independence had vanished and the Davidic monarchy had all but disappeared (2 Kings 24:15‑16). Many citizens were exiled to Babylon (v. 14), while others fled to Egypt and surrounding areas (25:26). The holy city was in ruins, and the temple had been burned and plundered (vv.  9‑17). Communities of Israelites formed during the exile in Babylon and in Egypt (Jer. 43:1‑7; 44:1). The Babylonian exilic communities were located mainly between Babylon and Nippur (Ezek. 1:1; 3:15). 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 (Jer. 29:4‑9). Some rose to prominence in the royal court (Dan. 1:3‑7).2 As a result, many exiles did not want to return to Judah (Ezra 8:15‑20). We have little information of the population that remained in Judah. Some continued to worship at the altar of the ruined temple (Jer. 41:4‑5). This group was comprised mostly of the “poorest of the land” (2 Kings 25:12, CSB) plus some refugee Israelites who drifted back to their homeland (Jer. 40:11‑12). BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

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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 terrorize 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 He allowed deported peoples to return to their homelands. With the “Edict of Cyrus” (539), the Jewish exiles could return home and rebuild their temple (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 (Ezra 1:7‑11; 5:14‑16). Zerubbabel continued the building project until work ceased because of local opposition (3:7–4:5). The work lay unfinished for over a decade until the reign of Darius.6 The Jews born and raised in exile faced opposition from many who had remained in Judah (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 (33:24). The people of Samaria, pagan foreigners who had intermarried with Israelites, offered to help with the rebuilding project (2  Kings  17:29; Ezra  4:1‑2). Their rejected offer (Ezra 4:3) may have contributed to later

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

In spite of the Babylonians inflicting harsh treatment and forced labor conditions, these persons were still able to eke out a meager existence (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 intermixing with Jews. Intermarriage with pagans became a serious problem (Ezra  10:18‑44; Neh.  13:23‑28). Children grew up without religious guidance, and many lost the ability to speak Hebrew and read from the Scriptures (Neh. 13:24). Aramaic became the common language of the people of the Diaspora, and knowledge of God’s law was limited.3

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.

to punish Athens and Sparta, he was unable to subdue the Greeks.8

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 (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

Xerxes I “Ahasuerus” (486-465)—Though prominent in the Book of Esther, Xerxes lost power over Greece when the Greeks defeated his naval fleet in the Straits of Salamis (480). Xerxes 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 Xerxes’ reign, several decades after the temple was rebuilt. Malachi encountered problems similar to those Nehemiah faced: mixed-faith marriages (Mal.  2:11‑15), failure to tithe (3:8‑10), contemptible worship and corrupt priests (1:6–2:9), and social problems (3:5).10

ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO/ JUSTIN VENEMEN (35/68/84)

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 (Ezra 4:5; Hag. 1:2‑4).

Zerubbabel, a descendant of David (1 Chron. 3:19), was appointed governor (Hag.  2:21). Haggai and Zechariah encouraged him to rebuild the temple (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 (Ezra 5:3; 6:1‑13). The Bible does not mention Zerubbabel at the completion or dedication of the temple in 515 (6:14‑18).9

At about 22 feet thick, this wall runs north to south in Jerusalem. The wall was part of Jerusalem’s fortifications and helped protect the city from the north. The city wall here was apparently built in the days of Hezekiah, king of Judah (late 8th cent. BC) as part of his refortifying the city in preparation for an Assyrian attack. The wall’s unusual thickness suggests this might be the “Broad Wall” mentioned in Nehemiah 3:8 and 12:38. 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”13 sent Ezra in 458 to Judah to repair and renovate the temple and reestablish the sacrificial system. A priest and scribe, Ezra was to train the Jewish people in the Mosaic law (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 (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 (Neh. 1:3; 2:5-8). As the king’s cupbearer Nehemiah held strong influence (1:11). God moved Artaxerxes to allow Nehemiah to return (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 (2:10), who probably sensed he was losing influence over Judah. Despite the opposition, the workers completed the wall in fifty-two days (6:15). Nehemiah spent twelve years in Jerusalem as governor, returning to Artaxerxes around 433, then returning to govern Jerusalem a second time (13:6‑7). Nehemiah brought significant social and religious reforms during his two administrations (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 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 BC. 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, Old Testament History, 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 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: Broadman & Holman, 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, ed. 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. Ezra returned to Jerusalem in Artaxerxes’ seventh year (Ezra 7:1,7). This is supposedly Artaxerxes I, so the date would be 458. Nehemiah arrived in Artaxerxes’ twentieth year (Neh. 2:1), 13 years after Ezra (445). Nehemiah served in Jerusalem until 433, Artaxerxes’ 32nd year (Neh. 5:14). He built the city wall, celebrated the Feast of Booths (8:13‑18) and dedicated the city wall with Ezra (12:27‑43). Although some scholars debate if Ezra and Nehemiah indeed served side by side, none of the arguments against the traditional order and chronology are compelling. For a further explanation, see Derek Kidner, Ezra and Nehemiah: An Introduction and Commentary (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1979), 146–58.

SUMMER 2018 PLAYLIST Because we love music as much as you do, each week you’ll find a song that corresponds to that week’s session. Purchase one, a few, or all of them from iTunes® for a custom playlist to use with the Summer 2018 studies.

1.

“Wonder” by Hillsong United

2.

“The Answer” by Jeremy Camp

3.

“Rescuer (Good News)” by Rend Collective

4.

“Greatest Hallelujah” by Matt Redman

5.

“Make Us One” by Jesus Culture

6.

“Death Was Arrested” by North Point InsideOut

7.

“Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury

8.

“Call Upon the Lord” by Elevation Worship

9.

“Everywhere I Go” by Tim Timmons

10. “All In” by Matthew West 11. “Your Ways” by Matt Redman 12. “Word of God” by Brenton Brown 13. “Nailed to the Cross” by Rend Collective

ENDNOTES 1 Kent Woodyard, “4 Giving Statistics Every Church Should Know,” Church Mag [online] 13 August 2015 [cited 23 July 2017]. Available from the Internet at: https:// churchm.ag/giving-statistics-every-church-should-know/ 2 Daniel Akin, 10 Who Changed the World (B&H, 2012), 29-46.

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COMING NEXT QUARTER Welcome Home: Connecting and Engaging People in Your Church Reality Check Titus 3:3-11 Open Arms James 2:1-10 Gracious Hospitality

1 Peter 4:7-11

Intentional Love Luke 10:25-37 Authentic Joy 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Going Out Acts 16:6-15

How to Pray The Object of Our Prayer

Matthew 6:9a; Psalm 103:1-5,11-13,19-22

A Prayer of Praise

Matthew 6:9b; Psalm 96:1-9

A Prayer of Surrender

Matthew 6:10-11a; James 4:6-10,13-17

Praying for Ourselves

Matthew 6:11b; Isaiah 38:1-6,15-17

Praying for Others

Matthew 6:11b; John 17:11-23

A Prayer of Confession

Matthew 6:12-13; Psalm 51:1-7,10-12

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

Psalm 138:1-8

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