Unit 3: Exile and Post Exile 1

Week 1: End of the Babylonian Captivity
Week 2: Restoration of the Temple
Week 3: Service of Ezra
Week 4: Nehemiah and rebuilding the walls
Week 5: Nehemiah facing struggles
Week 6: Ezra and Nehemiah lead the spiritual reformation
Week 7: Queen Esther
Week 8: God saves his people
Week 9: Completion of Esther

Week 1: End of the Babylonian Captivity

Week 1: Ezra 1,3,4

Objective:

End of the Babylonian Captivity
Worship Restored at Jerusalem
Restoration of the Temple Begins
Resistance to Rebuilding the Temple
Rebuilding of Jerusalem Opposed

Resources:

Reading:

- Ezra 1:1-11
- Ezra 2: Skip
- Ezra 3:1-13
- Ezra 4:1-24

Key verse(s):

“And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever toward Israel.” Ezra 3:11

Comments:

King Cyrus of Persia took over the Babylonian kingdom. Now we are in the era of the Persian Kingdom.
God moved King Cyrus's heart to let the Israelites go back to their land to rebuild.
Zerubbabel was the leader of the first wave of people to come back from exile to Jerusalem.
Many Israelites were established in the Babylonian land and did not want to go back and rebuild a demolished country.
Chapter two has some of the names who came back with Zerubbabel. Church Fathers look at this in a way where those people who believed in God, offered to work and serve, and left their luxurious, lives were worthy to have their names written in the Book of Life.
Chapter 3 talks about the beginning of the service and the leaders that led the people to this reformation.
Chapter 4 talks about the hardships they are facing. We see the devil is not happy with the spiritual reformation and trying to stop what Zerubbabel is trying to accomplish.

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

Who went to Jerusalem to build the House of the Lord?
Give the three main points in the Cyrus Proclamation.
. How did they celebrate the laying of the foundation of the temple?
Why did the older Israelites weep?
Why wouldn’t the Jews accept help from the inhabitants of the land?
What accusations were sent to King Artaxerxes?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

Cyrus made a proclamation to build the temple because:
a) the Lord filled his spirit b) Jeremiah ordered him to c) he was forced to
The House of the Lord was to be built in:
a) Persia b) Babylon c) Jerusalem d) Egypt
Who exiled the people of Israel to Babylon?
a) Zerubbabel b) Nebuchadnezzar c) Jeremiah d) the Nethinim
What feast did the people keep?
a) the Passover b) the Feast of Hanukah c) the Feast of Tabernacles d) Christmas
Who oversaw the work of the House of the Lord?
a) Kadmiel b) Jeshua c) the Levites d) all of these
Who offered to help the Israelites build the temple?
a) the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin b) Jerubbabel c) King Darius d) Cyrus
The letter sent to Artaxerxes was written in:
a) in English b) in Arabic c) in Aramaic d) in Hebrew

Week 2: Restoration of the Temple

Week 2: Ezra 5-7

Objective:

Restoration of the Temple Resumed
The Decree of Darius
The Temple Completed and Dedicated
The Passover Celebrated
The Arrival of Ezra
The Letter of Artaxerxes to Ezra

Resources:

Reading:

- Ezra 5: All
- Ezra 6: All
- Ezra 7: All

Key verse(s):

“And may the God who causes His name to dwell there destroy any king or people who put their hand to alter it, or to destroy this house of God which is in Jerusalem. I Darius issue a decree; let it be done diligently.” Ezra 6:12

Comments:

After people tried to stop the restoration by sending the king a letter, he issued a decree that the rebuilding would resume.
King Darius issued a decree to declare that this was an official matter and no one was allowed to stop it. God is giving His people grace in the eyes of the rulers.
The Temple was completed and Passover was celebrated as early signs of returning back to normal and original life.
Chapter 7 mentions Ezra for the first time. He will lead the second wave of captives back to Jerusalem to rectify and improve their spiritual status.

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

“But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews.” Explain.
To whom did Haggai and Zechariah prophesy?
How did God punish His people when they provoked Him?
Where did the expenses for building the House of God come from?
The Passover lambs were slaughtered for whom?
What was Ezra set to do?
What kinds of punishments were set for those who would not observe the law of God and the king?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

The governor wrote a letter to:
a) Shethar-Boznai b) Darius c) the Israelites
Who issued the first decree to build the temple?
a) Darius b) Cyrus c) Sheshbazzar d) Ezra
The decree of Darius was concerning:
a) building the House of the Lord b) keeping the Passover c) paying taxes d) going to Jerusalem
At the dedication of the House of God the priests:
a) sang b) danced c) offered sacrifices
Ezra was a priest and a scribe. True or false?
What was Ezra to buy with the money he recieves?
a) bulls b) rams c) lambs d) all of these

Week 3: Service of Ezra

Week 3: Ezra 8-10

Objective:

Fasting and Prayer for Protection
The Return to Jerusalem
Intermarriage with Pagans
Confession of Improper Marriages
Pagan Wives Put Away

Resources:

Reading:

- Ezra 8:21-36
- Ezra 9:1-15
- Ezra 10:1-19

Key verse(s):

“Arise, for this matter is your responsibility. We also are with you. Be of good courage, and do it.” Ezra 10:4

Comments:

Names of those who returned with Ezra in chapter 8 were worthy to have their names written in the Book of Life. These people left their luxurious life, stability, and success to work on reviving their land and the Temple. This is God's message to us. Our names will be written in the Book of Life if we choose him over earthly matters.
Before returning back, Ezra proclaimed a fast. This shows the importance of fasting and submitting to God before conducting anything or any service we take on.
Ahava river flowed into the Euphrates somewhere in the northwest of Babylon. This was their meeting point before traveling back home.
Many of the men who returned with Ezra had pagan wives. Ezra found out how deep that problem was as they have been married for a long time and some of them had children already. Ezra explained to them that this should end. If we are starting a new life of repentance with God, sinful habits, people, and any earthly matter should be eliminated.
Even the priests and the Levites taking pagan wives to themselves shows how far these people were away from God and the commandments.
Ezra 9:8: "to give us a peg in His holy place" means security in His Holy place.
The people accepted to separate from their pagan wives. They accepted the consequences and chose the heavenly reward.

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

How did Ezra prepare the people spiritually for the journey?
Why was Ezra ashamed to request an escort of soldiers?
What wrong doing did the people of Israel do?
What did Ezra do at the Evening Sacrifice?
Who suggested making a covenant with God?
Why did Ezra eat no bread and drink no water for a while?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

Who called for a fast?
a) Darius b) Cyrus c) Ezra d) Eliezer
When they camped by the river at Ahava who was missing?
a) the priests b) the sons of Levi c) Ezra d) the king
At the evening of the sacrifice, Ezra
a) fell on his knees b) prayed c) tore his garment d) all of these
Concerning the people of the lands, God asked the people of Israel not to:
a) give your daughters to their sons b) pay them taxes c) eat with them
Who took to themselves pagan wives?
a) the priests b) the Levites c) the people d) all of these
Ezra ate no bread and drank no water because:
a) he was on a diet b) there was no food or drink c) he was mourning d) he was in prison

Week 4: Nehemiah and rebuilding the walls

Week 4: Nehemiah 1-4

Objective:

Nehemiah Prays for His People
Nehemiah Sent to Judah
Nehemiah Views the Wall of Jerusalem
Rebuilding the Wall
The Wall Defended Against Enemies

Resources:

Reading:

Nehemiah 1: Group prayer during the concluding prayer (similar to servants meetings)
Nehemiah 2: 1-20
Nehemiah 3: Skip
Nehemiah 4: 1-23

Key verse(s):

“Please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night” Nehemiah 1:6

Comments:

Please read the last verse in chapter one. Nehemiah had a high-status job. He was the king’s cupbearer. This means he will taste whatever is offered to the king before the king in case it is poisoned. This was a highly trusted job.
Nehemiah left the luxurious life and desired to take his brethren and go back to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. His heart desired the service and worship, not the earthly desires.
We learn from Nehemiah that the first thing to do before service (or talking to the king in his case) was to pray.
King Artaxerxes, king of Persia, noticed Nehemiah and allowed him to go and revive his homeland.
Nehemiah viewed the walls and made a statement strategic plan before initiating the work. We learn from him to think and plan before starting any project.
Chapter three mentions those who got to work. Church Fathers viewed these men as the people who struggled and did the work and their names were written in the Book of Life.
Satan was not happy with the progress and wanted to stop this great service. People arose to scare them and make them stop. Nehemiah did not cease and continued his work and kept his trust in God.

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

What was Nehemiah’s job in the king’s palace?
What did Nehemiah ask of Artaxerxes?
Why did Nehemiah want a letter from the king to Asaph?
How did Nehemiah encourage the people to rise and build the wall?
Mention the professions of some of the people who helped repair the wall.
How did Nehemiah respond to his enemies’ anger?
Why did Nehemiah have a trumpeter beside him?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

Nehemiah’s job in the king’s palace was:
a) a singer b) a cupbearer c) a priest d) a musician
Nehemiah wanted timber to make:
a) the gates of the citadel b) the city wall c) his house d) all of these
When Nehemiah went to view the wall of Jerusalem he took with him:
a) his friends b) the workers c) no one d) just the animal he rode on
Which of these gates is NOT a gate in Jerusalem?
a) the Fish Gate b) the Fountain Gate c) the Golden Gate d) the Refuse Gate
Some of the people who made repairs in the wall were:
a) priests b) goldsmith c) merchants d) all of these

Week 5: Nehemiah facing struggles

Week 4: Nehemiah 5-8

Objective:

Nehemiah Deals with Oppression
The Generosity of Nehemiah
Conspiracy Against Nehemiah
The Wall Completed
The Captives Who Returned to Jerusalem
Ezra Reads and Explains the Law
The Feast of Tabernacles

Resources:

Reading:

Nehemiah 5: 1-19
Nehemiah 6: 1-19
Nehemiah 7: 1-6
Nehemiah 8: 1-18

Key verse(s):

“We will restore it, and will require nothing from them; we will do as you say.” Nehemiah 5:12

Comments:

Nehemiah started to deal with problems with the people. Many of these problems were caused by usury.
Usury is when a person lends money to another person and asks to return the money with extremely high-interest rates.
Nehemiah met with the people and they all agreed to stop it and to help their brethren. We see Nehemiah's leadership in the society.
Nehemiah's generosity is seen when he is appointed governor and invites many people to sit with him at the same table. A lot of food was prepared daily.
Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab tried to stop Nehemiah from completing the wall. Nehemiah dealt with them wisely without losing hope in God's support. Nehmiah's faith and dedication led to the rebuilding of the walls in only 52 days.
Again, there are names of those who returned to Jerusalem mentioned in chapter seven. Church Fathers look at this in a way where those people who believed in God, offered to work and serve, and left their luxurious, lives were worthy to have their names written in the Book of Life.
Ezra the scribe was still alive and he led the people to read the law and to another spiritual reformation.

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

What position did Nehemiah occupy in the land of Judah?
Why did Nehemiah not demand the governor’s provisions?
How many days did it take to rebuild the wall?
How many times did Sanballat send messages to Nehemiah?
Why did Nehemiah refuse to meet with Sanballat and his allies?
How did Nehemiah figure out that Shemaiah was a traitor?
Who read from the Book of the Law?
When was the last time the people made booths before that time?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

What position did Nehemiah occupy in the land of Judah?
a) a priest b) a governor c) a scribe d) a singer
Who was invited to Nehemiah’s table?
a) Jews b) rulers c) people from other nations d) all of these
How many times did Sanballat send messages to Nehemiah?
a) 2 b) 3 c) 5 d) 10
How many days did it take to rebuild the wall?
a) 15 b) 35 c) 42 d) 52

Week 6: Ezra and Nehemiah lead the spiritual reformation

Week 6: Nehemiah 9-13

Objective:

The People Confess Their Sins
The Covenant That Was Sealed
Nehemiah Dedicates the Wall
The Reforms of Nehemiah

Resources:

Reading:

Nehemiah 9: Group prayer during the concluding prayer (similar to servants meetings)
Nehemiah 10: 28-39
Nehemiah 11: Skip
Nehemiah 12: 27-47
Nehemiah 13: 1-31

Key verse(s):

“Then those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.” Nehemiah 9:2

Comments:

After the spiritual reformation that was led by Ezra and Nehemiah, the people confessed their sins and started to live a new Godly life.
People separated themselves from gentiles. It's a symbol of separating ourselves from sin.
Nehemiah dedicating the wall is a similar concept to the consecration of churches nowadays.
Dividing responsibilities on the people to serve the Temple was a way of making sure everyone was included in the service. People needed to feel that they belonged to the Temple after many years in exile.

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

Three particulars are mentioned regarding the Sabbath. What are they?
Men of which tribe lived in Jerusalem?
What was the king’s command concerning the sons of Asaph?
How did the Levites celebrate the dedication of the wall?
Who lead each of the two thanksgiving choirs?
Nehemiah asked God to remember him and what else?
What is wrong in having children who do not speak the language of Judah?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

The people made a vow to give how much of a shekel to the service of the House of the Lord?
a) one quarter b) one third c) one half d) one whole shekel
The Levites shall bring up a ________ of the ______ to the house of our _________.
The people cast a lot to chose how many to live in Jerusalem?
a) one third b) one fifth c) one half d) one out of ten
What did the singers receive?
a) a quota day by day b) the tithe c) the first fruit
Where did the singers live?
a) In the palace b) in Jerusalem c) in villages all around Jerusalem d) in the desert
What was stored in the rooms of the storehouse?
a) the offerings b) the first fruitsc) the tithes d) all of these
The Ammonites or the Moabites should not come into the Assembly of God because they did not give the children of Israel:
a) bread and water b) wood to build the temple c) gold and silver d) the tithes
What did Eliashib prepare for Tobiah?
a) A big feast b) a large room c) a palace d) horses and soldiers

Week 7: Queen Esther

Week 7: Esther 1-5

Objective:

The King Dethrones Queen Vashti
Esther Becomes Queen
Haman’s Conspiracy Against the Jews
Esther Agrees to Help her People
Haman’s Plot Against Mordecai

Resources:

Reading:

Esther 1:1-20
Esther 2:1-23
Esther 3:1-11
Esther 4:10-17
Esther 5:1-9

Key verse(s):

“The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins.” Esther 2:17

Comments:

The story of Queen Esther takes place during the Persian kingdom between the return of the first and second waves to Jerusalem by Zerubbabel and Ezra.
King Ahasuerus made a feast for seven days. He was drinking a lot and did not make wise decisions. He asked for his wife, Queen Vashti, to come so he could show off his beautiful wife. She refused to go.
The king's counselors told him he couldn't accept this because all men in the kingdom would get disrespected and humiliated by their wives.
When the king was sad, one of his counselors suggested bringing all the beautiful girls into the kingdom so the king could choose a wife.
Estehr's Jewish name was Hadassah. She was raised by her uncle Mordecai. Mordecai learned about the plot against the king and informed the king about it. When the king realized that Mordecai saved his life, he honored him to be at his palace.
Haman was a descendant of King Agag whom King Saul did not kill. He got promoted and was loved by King Ahasuerus. Haman wanted to kill all the Jews because Mordecai did not bow to him. Mordecai only worships the One and True God.
Mordecai asks Esther to intercede for her people to the king to save them from Haman's evil plan. Esther found grace and favor in the king's eyes and was able to save the Jews.

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

King Ahasuerus held a great feast and he summoned his queen because he wanted:
a) to display her beauty b) he wanted her to dance c) he wanted to deport her
What happened to Queen Vashti when she refused the king's command to come to him?
a) she was beheaded b) she was dethroned c) she was imprisoned
Who raised Esther?
a) her father, Abihail b) her maid, Dinah c) her cousin, Mordecai
Who wanted to lay hand on the king?
a) Esther b) Mordecai c) Bigthan and Teresh
Haman was angry because Mordecai refused to:
a) pay him taxes b) bow to the king c) bow to Haman
Haman wanted the Jews to be destroyed. How did the king respond?
a) granted Haman's request b) ordered Haman to make peace c) refused Haman request
What did Mordecai request from Esther?
a) have Haman poisoned b) flee with the Jews c) ask the king to spare Esther's people
Esther asked the Jews to:
a)fast for three days b) offer a sacrifice c) appear in sackcloth
When Esther went before the king, what did she request?
a) the presence of the king and Haman at a banquet b) the Jews' safe exit from the land c) the protection of the king's guard

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

Why did the king command that Queen Vashti be brought to him?
What was worrying Memucan in regards to Vashti's behavior?
How did Hegai treat Esther? (Esther 2:9) 2. How did the king celebrate Esther as a queen? (Esther 2:18)
Show how Haman was an important man. (Esther 3:1-2)
What did Haman suggest to the king concerning the Jews? (Esther 3:9)
What is the law concerning who goes into the inner court of the king without invitation? (Esther 4:11
Why did Esther ask the Jews to fast? (Esther 4:15)
What did the king offer Esther even before knowing her request? (Esther 5:3)

Week 8: God saves his people

Week 8: Esther 6-10

Objective:

The King Honors Mordecai
Haman Hanged Instead of Mordecai
Esther Saves the Jews
The Feast of Purim
Mordecai’s Advancement

Resources:

Reading:

Esther 6:1-14
Esther 7:1-10
Esther 8:1-11
Esther 9:18-28
Esther 10:1-3

Key verse(s):

“For Mordecai the Jew was second to King Ahasuerus, and was great among the Jews and well received by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.” Esther 10:3

Comments:

The story in chapter 6 was all planned by God. The king couldn't sleep and reading the book leading to honoring Mordecai was all God's plan to save His people.
King Ahasuerus asked Haman about rewarding a person who was faithful to the king. Haman thought the king was asking to honor him, but he did not know it was for Mordecai.
King Ahasuerus found out that Haman was an evil person. Esther told the king about his plans. The king told his eunuchs to take him and kill him using the gallows that Haman built to kill Mordecai.
Haman had issued a decree to kill all the Jews in the Kingdom. The kingdom's protocol insists that the King can't change his decisions. Mordecai and Esther quickly wrote another decree that the Jews through the entire kingdom can defend themselves against anyone who seeks to kill them.
After the Jews were saved, Mordecai and Esther declared a feast for the Jews called Purim from the word Pur which means lots. This is to remember that Haman when he wanted to kill the Jews, brought people to "cast lots" to choose the day when he can kill all the Jews.
We read that Mordecai was trusted by the king and he became the second man in the kingdom.

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

When the king learned that Mordecai was never rewarded for saving his life he:
a) ask Haman's advice b) held a banquet in his honor c) gave Mordecai great wealth
Who is the man that the king honored?
a) Haman b) Mordecai c) Bigthana
When Esther revealed Haman's plan for destroying her people to the king, Haman:
a) begged Esther for his life b) threatened to kill Esther c) asked God for forgiveness
King Ahasuerus discovered Haman lying on Esther's bed. What happened to Haman?
a) he took his own life b) he was hung on the gallows c) he was cast into prison
Why couldn't the king change his own decrees? (Esther 8:8)
Mordecai and the Jews started celebrating a new feast called:
a) Passover b) Christmas c) Purim d) Hanukah

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

According to Haman how can the king honor the one whom he delights?
What did Haman do after honoring Mordecai?
What is Esther referring to when she said, “For we have been sold”?
What was ironic in the way Haman died?
Why did the people fear Mordecai? (Esther 9:3-4)
How did the Jews celebrate the Feast of Purim?

Week 9: Completion of Esther

Week 9: Esther 11-16

Objective:

The King Honors Mordecai
Haman Hanged Instead of Mordecai
Esther Saves the Jews
The Feast of Purim
Mordecai’s Advancement

Resources:

Reading:

Esther 11:1-12
Esther 12:1-6
Esther 13: Skip
Esther 14: Prayed as a group prayer
Esther 15:1-19
Esther 16:1-24

Key verse(s):

“And that they be children of the most high and most mighty living God, who hath ordered the kingdom both unto us and to our progenitors in the most excellent manner.” Esther 16:16

Comments:

The story is the same as in chapter 2. This chapter is more detailed.
The chapter mentions that this story happened during the time of Cleopatra.
It is mentioned in chapter 11 that Mordecai was taken into captivity during the reign of King Jeconiah. Jeconiah is the same as King Jehoiachin mentioned in 2 Kings 24. Mordecai was taken to captivity during the second wave of captivity.
Mordecai had a dream about two great dragons that represent the good and the evil which symbolize God and the devil. The devil seems to be strong and mighty at the beginning but after that a little fountain which is Esther comes out and overflows.
Chapter 12 continues the story. Mordecai told the king and saved his life. The king ordered to honor Mordecai.
It appears from Esther 12:6, that Haman was the one behind this conspiracy. Haman wanted to kill the king so he was not happy with Mordecai.
Esther 13 talks about Mordecai's prayer that he prayed after Haman's evil decree.
Esther 14 is Esther's prayer
Esther 15 talks about the conversation between Mordecai and Esther before she goes and talks with the king. He is reminding her of her past time at his house and what she learned about God. He is reminding her of her Godly upbringing.
The king was angry because Esther walked in on him without a notice or calling her. God gave Esther grace and switched his anger into gentleness. He comforted her and listened to her concerns. It seems that Esther was very scared and off-balanced but the king didn’t ignore her. This story continues with more details in chapters 7 and 8.
Esther 16 talks about the king's decree after all that happened. It was a public official decree to the entire kingdom that also shows God's work. He also confessed and believed in the Jews' God in Esther 16:16
Esther 16:14: "The Macedonians" at the time was used as a humiliation since the Macedonians were poor and primitive countries.
The day that the Jewes were getting killed became a feast day.

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

Where did Mordecai serve?
a) in the fields b) in the court of the king c) in the temple
Where did the great river come from?
a) the high mountains b) the nearby country c) the cry of the people
The two eunuchs were planning to:
a) lay hand on the king b) lay hand on Mordecai c) go to war
Haman wanted Mordecai to bow down:
a) to him b) to God c) to the king
Who did Esther take with her to the king?
a) Mordecai b) Haman c) two maids
What was the king’s reaction when he saw Esther?
a) very happy b) afraid c) angry

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

Who brought Mordecai from Jerusalem?
What was the purpose of Mordecai's dream?
How did Mordecai know about the eunuchs’ plot?
How did the king repay Mordecai?
Did the king love Esther? Give proof.
Why was Esther frozen with fear?