Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther

According to this well-known author, today's readers find much that is familiar in Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther, including the message of God's faithfulness in the face of prejudice, sexism, and patriarchy.Books in the Westminster Bible Companion series assist laity in their study of the Bible as a guide to Christian faith and practice. Each volume explains the biblical book in its original historical context and explores its significance for faithful living today. These books are ideal for individual study and for Bible study classes and groups.

Series Foreword

ix

EZRA-NEHEMIAH

1

(98)

Introduction

3

(13)

Why Ezra and Nehemiah?

3

(1)

The Time

4

(3)

The Place

7

(2)

The People

9

(5)

Authorship

14

(1)

Theology

14

(2)

1. A House in Jerusalem Ezra 1--6

16

(17)

Going Home (Ezra 1)

16

(5)

Family by Family (Ezra 2)

21

(2)

Laying the Foundations (Ezra 3)

23

(3)

The Work Discontinued (Ezra 4)

26

(4)

The House Is Finished (Ezra 5 and 6)

30

(3)

2. Scribe of the Law of God Ezra 7--10

33

(16)

The Mission of Ezra (Ezra 7:1-26)

33

(4)

The Journey Home (Ezra 7:27--8:35)

37

(2)

The Letter of the Law (Ezra 9 and 10)

39

(10)

3. Reviving the Stones Nehemiah 1--7

49

(21)

A Broken Home (Nehemiah 1--3)

49

(9)

A Weapon in the Hand (Nehemiah 4)

58

(4)

The Cost of Taxation (Nehemiah 5)

62

(4)

A Home Restored (Nehemiah 6 and 7)

66

(4)

4. Walking in God's Law Nehemiah 8--10

70

(17)

Attentive Ears (Nehemiah 8:1-12)

70

(7)

Feasts and Fasts (Nehemiah 8:13--9:37)

77

(5)

A Written Pledge (Nehemiah 9:38--10:39)

82

(5)

5. Reclaiming the House Nehemiah 11--13

87

(12)

Inhabiting the House (Nehemiah 11:1--12:26)

87

(2)

A Housewarming (Nehemiah 12:27--13:3)

89

(5)

Further Housecleaning (Nehemiah 13:4-31)

94

(5)

ESTHER

99

(48)

Introduction

101

(7)

Once Upon a Time...

101

(3)

Controversy Around Esther

104

(1)

Plot and Characters

105

(3)

6. The Court of Ahasuerus Esther 1--3

108

(14)

A Queen Vanishes (Esther 1)

108

(4)

A Queen Appears (Esther 2)

112

(4)

A Decree for Destruction (Esther 3)

116

(6)

7. The Intercession of Esther Esther 4--7

122

(17)

A Convincing Argument (Esther 4)

123

(6)

Esther's First Party (Esther 5)

129

(4)

Royal Honors (Esther 6)

133

(3)

Esther's Second Party (Esther 7)

136

(3)

8. From Sorrow into Gladness Esther 8-10

139

(8)

A Harvest of Destruction (Esther 8)

139

(3)

A Day of Feasting and Gladness (Esther 9:1-19)

142

(1)

Practices of Purim (Esther 9:20--10:3)

143

(4)

For Further Reading

147

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Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials