Post Exilic Books

Who was the most important Persian ruler from a Jewish perspective? What two things did this ruler allow the Jews to do?

Cyrus

1. allowed the Jews to return home

2. allowed the Jews to rebuild the temple

What two things did Cyrus give the Jews when he sent them back to Judah?

1. King Cyrus returns the looted contents of the 1st temple to the Jewish community

2. 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?

1. odd coincidence

2. 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.