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Who was the most important Persian ruler from a Jewish perspective? What two things did this ruler allow the Jews to do?
Cyrus
allowed the Jews to return home
allowed the Jews to rebuild the temple
What two things did Cyrus give the Jews when he sent them back to Judah?
King Cyrus returns the looted contents of the 1st temple to the Jewish community
He vows to underwrite the new 2nd temple’s construction
Why was Cyrus so generous to the Jews?
he trys to make people loyal to him
586
Jerusalem destroyed; Babylonian exile begins
538
Cyrus allows the Jews to return home and rebuild the temple
520-515
Construction of the second temple
458
Artaxerxes I sends Ezra to Judah to stabilize the Jewish community
445-433
Artaxerxes I appoints Nehemiah as the governor of Judah; Nehemiah rebuilds Jerusalem’s walls
331
Alexander the Great defeats Darius III; end of Persian Empire
When were the prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi active?
Haggai, Zechariah - 520 and 515
Malachi - 458
Ezra
return from exile; rebuild the temple; forced divorces from foreign wives
Nehemiah
rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls; rededication of the people to God
Esther
the deliverance of God’s exiled people from genocide
Haggai
encourage to rebuild the temple
Zechariah
explanation of why God’s promises haven’t been fulfilled
Malachi
disputes between God and his unchanges, stubborn people
Moses
the Israelites will break the covenant and end up in exile. Afterwards, God will “circumcise their hearts” so that they know and obey him
Isaiah
God is going to judge Judah through a foreign nation. This punishment will purify the people, leading to a new Jerusalem filled with people who obey God
Jeremiah
after the exile, God will make a new covenant with his people. God will write the law on people’s hearts so they know and obey him
Ezekiel
after the exile, God will make a covenant of peace with his people. God will give the people a new heart and put his spirit inside them so they obey him.
What is the big problem in the post-exilic books?
the people have not changed
Who wants to help rebuild the temple? Why does Zerubbabel exclude them?
Jewish/non-jewish people who live around Jerusalem
Zerubbabel says that God isn’t theirs
How does Zerubbabel fail to live up to the vision in Isaiah 2?
he didn’t see a vision
What is missing when the second temple is finished and dedicated to God?
God’s presence
Why does Ezra want the foreign wives and their children to go away?
they aren’t God’s people
What is unique about the book of Esther? Who isn’t mentioned here?
The book is about a Jewish community living in Susa
God is never mentioned in Esther
How is God present and active behind the scenes in this story?
odd coincidence
ionic reversal
What’s the big idea of Esther?
When God’s people are in exile and can’t obey the law perfectly, God is still with them. God works in the mess of human history, using even morally compromised people to accomplish his purposes.
According to Haggai, what are God’s people doing wrong?
instead of rebuilding the temple, they build fancy houses
Why are God’s people discouraged about the second temple?
they don’t think it looks as good
What’s the big idea of Haggai?
The temple still plays a key role in God’s plans. God’s people must work in hope, despite the temple’s appearance now.
Why are God’s people wondering if God is about to fulfill his promises? Why period of time is almost over?
the timing of God’s promises is conditional
70 years
What’s the big idea of Zechariah?
God’s promises will only be fulfilled in the current generation if the people are faithful to God and obey the covenant
What accusation do God’s people make against him?
injustice and corruption are all over the place, but God does nothing about it
How does God respond to this accusation?
God will send a messenger who will prepare his people before his personal return on the Day of the Lord
What is the Day of the Lord?
the time when God comes to punish the wicked and rescue the righteous
What’s the big idea of Malachi?
The Babylonian exile didn’t change the people. Their hearts are as hard as ever. BUT, God has promised that he will one day send a messenger and then personally confront evil, restore his people, and bring justice.