Preview Esther, Ezra & Neh (Dec 5)
Post Exilic Period
As the Bible is arranged by genre,
to enhance understanding context
we’re meditating by time sequence.
OT1A: Genesis
OT1B: Poetry Book of Job
OT1C: Life of Moses (Exo to Deut)
OT2A: History to David (Josh-1Chr)
OT2B: Five Books of Psalms
OT2C: 1 Kings & Wisdom Poetry
OT3A: 2 Kings & Prophets
OT3B: 2 Chronicles & Prophets
OT3C: Post Exilic Period & Prophets
Phase 3 follows the reign of United
Kingdom. Solomon’s zeal for God
cools as pagan wives turn his heart
away from godly worship. The next
century sees the decline of the two
nations,indifferent to God’s precepts.
In 2 Kings, the author weaves the
historical threads of two nations
into one fabric. In Israel, 19 wicked
kings in succession led the people
even further from God. Despite the
efforts of Elisha & other prophets,
judgment can no longer be stayed.
Israel finally went into captivity,
being dispersed by the Assyrians.
To the south, Judah survives 150
years longer; but corrupt leadership
brings about 70-yr exile in Babylonia.
Then four minor prophets to Israel:
Hosea, Amos, Jonah and Nahum.
2 Chronicles spans four centuries of
Judah’s history from glory days of
Solomon to end of Babylonian Exile.
Moving to prophets, Isaiah’s ministry
spans reigns of four kings of Judah
(722-681BC) stressing holiness
of God and coming of the Messiah.
Then five minor prophets to Judah
including Obadiah (840BC) and
Joel (830) as well as Micah (735-10)
Zephaniah (630) & Habakkuk (607).
Then Jeremiah written 627 to urge
God’s people to turn from their sins
followed by Lamentations (586 BC);
Ezekiel written 571BC & Daniel (536)
In the final part of Phase Three,
we begin with Esther, written
470BC with the purpose to
demonstrate God’s sovereignty
and His loving care for His people.
Ezra (written 450BC) with purpose
to show God’s faithfulness and the
way he kept his people to their land.
Nehemiah (445-432) the last of
the OT historical books; records
the history of the third return to
Jerusalem after captivity, telling
how the walls were rebuilt and the
people were renewed in their faith.
Then we end with minor prophets:
Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi.
Esther: Like an exciting novel, the
real-life drama of Esther puts a
beautiful heroine against a hateful
villain, builds to a life-threatening
climax, then ends with a surprise.
Beautiful Esther is among the
many Jews whose family chooses
to remain in Persia following the
return of Israel to Jerusalem with
Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah.
Selected as queen, she discovers
a court official’s plot to kill her and
her countrymen. In a dramatic turn
of events, God uses the roll of the
dice and a king’s sleeplessness to
save the day & preserve His people.
Zechariach: Using colourful visions
and consoling sermons to portray
God’s glorious future plans for
His covenant people, Zechariah
encourages the workers engaged
in rebuilding the temple. Although
early enthusiasm has waned, the
task is an moorland one, for the
temple will be the focal point of the
ministry of Israel’s coming Messiah.
God will keep His promises to
His people, and fasting will turn
to feasting when Messiah arrives.
So put away sin, finish the temple,
and await the Messiah eagerly.
Malachi: Years after the restoration
from exile, the spiritual condition
of God’s people has deteriorated.
Again they lapsed into the same
sins that brought about captivity.
They tithe sporadically, ignore
the Sabbath and intermarry with
unbelievers. Their hearts have
grown hard and their love for God
has grown cold, yet Malachi comes
to remind the people of God’s love
for them. Malachi’s final warning
about the purifying Day of the Lord
marks the close of the OT period
which is followed by 400 years
of silence in the biblical record.