Joshua
God’s Conquest of the Promised Land
I. Joshua: The Book
A. Israel is on the east side of the _jordan__ river.
B. The new generation is not like the previous one - they are __bold__, courageous, and
obedient.
C. Joshua is the new _moses_.
D. God will use Joshua to conquer _canaan_ and give His promise land__ to His People.
II. Joshua The New Moses
Challenges Israel to obey the commands of God (Josh. 1).
Sends spies into the land of Canaan (Josh. 2).
Leads Israel across the Jordan River (Josh. 3-4).
God promises to be loyal to Joshua as He was with Moses (Josh. 1:5).
Israel promises to be loyal to Joshua’s leadership (Josh. 1:16-18).
Re-instituted the Passover and the rite of circumcision (Josh. 5:2-10).
Wrote the law on tablets of stone (Josh. 8:32).
Re-established the covenant (Josh. 24:1-25).
III. Joshua: An Outline
A. God _prepares_ Israel to inherit the promised land.
B. God __causes_ Israel to capture the promised land.
C. God _distributes_ the promised land.
D. _Israel_ responds to God.
IV. God Prepares Israel to Inherit the Promised Land.
A. On the East Bank
2 spies are sent out and meet Rahab_.
2 1/2 of Israel’s tribes request land on the east side as their inheritance.
B. On the West Bank
The Israelites cross the Jordan River on dry ground.
The Israelites prepare spiritually for life in the Promised Land with three memorials.
The _manna_ stopped and the Israelites ate produce from the land of Canaan.
C. Rahab
Joshua sends two spies to Jericho. They find people filled with __fear__. Rahab the
prostitute believes the reports about Israel’s God.
To know and believe in God is to respond in obedience.
God’s intention is to reach the _______________ through Israel (not reach Israel
instead of the nations).
D. God Prepared Israel to Inherit the Promised Land
Three Memorials
Monument of 12 stones from the Jordan River
oReminds Israel that God cut off the flow of the Jordan so the Israelites could
cross. God had been _good_ and _faithful__.
Circumcision
oReminds Israel of their ___covanent_ with God and that they
_________________ to Him.
Passover
oReminds the Israelites of God’s redemption and __________________ of them
from Egypt (Ex. 12:17-20).
V. God Causes Israel to Capture the Land
Through a series of three military campaigns, God causes Israel to capture the promised
land. However, before these three campaigns, Joshua encounters the Divine Commander
A. Joshua encounters the Commander of the Lord’s Armies
God will fight for the Israelites if they obey, and against the Israelites if they don’t
obey (i.e. treat Him as holy).
The battles to come are not Israel vs. Canaan but God vs. Canaan.
B. Three Military Campaigns
1. Central Campaign - Contrasted by the battles at _jerico_ and _ai_.
2. Southern Campaign - Initiated by the _deciet_ of the Gibeonites and highlighted by a
hailstorm & the _sun_ standing still.
3. Northern Campaign - Emphasis on the totality of the destruction.
C. Jericho and Ai: A Contrast of Places in the Central Campaign
Jericho - God is faithful and He will deliver His people. Israel simply needs to trust and
wait on God.
Ai - Israel’s Failure to be obedient to God led to their loss in the battle of Ai.
The Point - It is only as Israel is _obedient_ to God and __trusts_ in His commands and
plan will they _inherit_ the land.
D. Rahab and Achan: A Contrast of People in the Central Campaign
Rahab
A Canaanite who responded in faith (like Israel should) and became part of Israel.
Achan
An Israelite who responded in disobedience and was treated like the Canaanites.
The Point: The conquest is centered around peoples’ response to God. Israel can’t expect to
have victory while living like the other nations.
VI. God Distributes the Promised Land
A. East Bank
2 and 1/2 tribes (Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh) settle on the east bank.
B. West Bank
9 and 1/2 tribes (Asher, Naphtali, Zebulun, Issachar, Ephraim, Benjamin, Dan, Judah,
Simeon, half of Manasseh).
C. Levi
No territory - Priests
D. The Land
The land of Canaan is God’s special possession, where he settles the descendants of
Abraham.
E. The Division of the Land
Each tribe gets its territory, which is subdivided and distributed to __clans_ and
families_ by lots.
G. Cities of Refuge
6_ cities of refuge are established reflecting God’s desire for both justice and mercy.
Cities of refuge were established within one day’s journey of any Israelite.
A person who killed another could flee there and be safe until community elders
determined whether the death was intentional or by accident.
H. The Levites
The Levites (Priests) were given no land.
The Levites were assigned _towns_ and _feilds__ within the territory of the other
tribes.
Everyone needed access to those charged with communicating God’s Word.
VII. Israel Responds to God
__1_ Altar - What is thought to be an altar of worship turns out to be a witness to unity.
__3___ Farewell Messages - Joshua gives 3 farewell addresses: to the eastern tribes, the
leaders of Israel, and all of Israel.
A __2nd_Covenant Renewal Ceremony - After the 3rd farewell address, Joshua and Israel
renew the covenant they made after the victory at Ai.
__3__ Burials - The burials of Joshua, Joseph, and Eleazar attest to the faithfulness of
God in keeping His promises.
Judges
Israel’s Total Failure
“…all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”
Judges 17:6
I. Introduction
Cycles of Sin in Judges
Main Issue – The People cling to their sins and refuse genuine repentance.
II. Causes for Failure
A. Lack of _faith & outright _disobedience_ led to a failure to drive out the Canaanites
B. Failure to pass on the _faith_ to the next generation.
C. There was no _King_ in Israel.
III. What Were the Judges?
A. An individual God raised up to lead one or more Israelite tribes out of
oppression.
B. They are primarily military leaders.
C. Not an Inherited position.
D. Only Deborah dispenses judicial justice.
E. The text does not endorse their actions.
IV. Who Were the Judges?
A. There were _12_ Judges in total.
B. The progression of Judges went from:
_good_ - Ok - Bad - _worse_
C. The six prominent Judges were:
1. Othniel
2. Ehud
3. Deborah
4. Gideon
5. Jephthah
6. Samson
VII. The Prominent Judges
A. Othniel
Israel _forgot_ God and _pursued_ idols
God sends the King of Mesopotamia to oppress Israel.
Othniel delivers Israel and brings peace.
God’s pursuit to bring Israel back to Him. He sends trouble, raises up leadership, sends
the Spirit of God - and this brings restoration.
B. Ehud
_Left-handed_ Judge from the tribe of Benjamin.
Raised up to deliver the Israelites from King _Eglon_.
Israel had peace for __80_ years.
Ehud is not a leader like Joshua or Othniel. His cultural weakness, his left-handedness, is
used by God to deliver Israel.
C. Deborah
Recognized as a leader by Israel and they sought her out for her wisdom in __legal_ and
_social_ cases.
Called by God to deliver Israel. With __Barak_ as the military leader, leads Israel to
victory over Sisera. _Jael_ is the one who kills Sisera.
D. Gideon
Delivered Israel from the _Midianites_ with 300 men, _trumpets_, troches, and pitchers.
Was often doubtful and downright _cowardly_ about following God and leading Israel.
Did not finish well. Ended up leading Israel back into _idolatry_.
E. Jephthah
Was the son of a _prostitute_ which eventually led to him being forced from home.
Called back to lead a deliverance from the Ammonites.
Made a rash _vow_ to God.
Delivers Israel from the Ammonites.
F. Samson
Started the deliverance of the Israelites from the _philistines_.
Committed to the Lord as a Nazarite even though he routinely broke this vow.
His love for __foreign women_ leads to altercations between Israel and the Philistines.
Parodies Israel’s vision issue (17:6).
VIII. Israel in Collapse
A. Spiritually – Micah starts his own priesthood.
B. Morally – The abuse and murder of a concubine.
C. _socially_– Civil war leads to the tribe of Benjamin being almost wiped out.
Ruth
There Is A Redeemer
Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has now provided a
redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel.
Ruth 4:14
I. Setting
The story of Ruth takes place during the period of the ___judges___.
The story of Ruth stands in contrast to the dark and miserable stories found in Judges.
The story of Ruth contrasts the _unfaithfulness_ of the Israelites to the _faithfulness_ of a
Moabitess.
Ruth is a prov 31 woman
II. Characters
Naomi: An Israelite who will become a _widow_ as the story unfolds.
Ruth: A Moabitess who will also become a widow as the story unfolds. She is described in the
book as a “Woman of _noble_ character.”
Boaz: An Israelite __farmer__. He is described as a “Man of noble character.”
III. Scene One
A. Problem: There is a famine in the land of _Bethlehem_. This forces Naomi’s family to leave
for _moab_.
B. Problem: Not only does Naomi’s _husbands_ die, so does her two __sons__. She is left
without a male to support her or her two daughters-in-law.
C. Solution: Naomi chooses to go back home to Bethlehem. One daughter-in-law stays in
Moab. _Ruth_, the other daughter-in-law decides to go with Naomi.
D. Conclusion: Naomi says that her life is one of death and tragedy. God has dealt _bitterly_
with me. I left full and I have come back empty. Call me Mara.
IV. Scene Two
A. Problem: Ruth and Naomi need _food_.
B. Solution: The barley harvest is taking place. Ruth will go glean in a field and collect the
scraps.
C. Result: Ruth, unknowingly, chooses the field of _boaz_. He notices Ruth and tells his
reapers to leave a little extra for her.
D. Result: Naomi is amazed at what Ruth brings home and is even more astounded that Ruth
gleaned in the field of Boaz, their _kinsmen redeemer__.
E. What is a kinsman-redeemer?
In the case of an Israelite man’s death in which he fails to leave behind a son, the brother of
the deceased man is commanded to take his widow as wife and both redeem the land and
provide a _son_ to carry on the deceased father’s name.
The kinsman-redeemer had to
1 be the next closest kinsman (_relative__)
2 be able to provide (_finances_)
3 be willing to provide (_heir_)
V. Scene Three
A. Problem: Naomi and Ruth wonder how they can get Boaz to _redeem_ the family and
marry Ruth.
B. Solution: Ruth will make known her availability for marriage to _boaz__.
C. Action: Ruth meets Boaz on the _threshing__ at night and seeks marriage and
redemption.
D. Reaction: Boaz gladly accepts Ruth’s proposal and will settle the matter __in the
morning_.
VI. Scene Four
A. Problem: There is a kinsman-redeemer who is closer than _boaz_. Will he want
to redeem the family and marry Ruth?
B. Action: The closer kinsman-redeemer at first agrees but then backs out when he
realizes it will involve marrying _ruth_ and having a child with her.
C. Solution: Boaz _requests_ the position of kinsman-redeemer and his request is
accepted.
VII. Conclusion
What began in bitterness, tragedy, and death ends in birth and joy. Ruth and Boaz marry
and give birth to a son, Obed.
Obed will become the father of Jesse who will become the father of David.
The Kingdom: United and Divided
1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles
I. Samuel: The Boy
_BIrth__: Samuel’s birth was a blessing of God to his mother Hannah who prayed to the
Lord for a child.
Commitment: Hannah dedicated Samuel to the Lord and when he was old enough he
went to serve the Lord in the _tabernacle_.
_Call_: God was going to replace Eli’s sons with Samuel because of the sins of Eli’s sons.
Contrast: God’s _blessing_ on Samuel’s life stands in contrast to God’s _rejection__ of
Eli’s son’s.
II. Eli and His Sons
Eli the priest had two sons - Hophni and Phinehas. Both men were scoundrels who stole
the sacrifices from God and committed _adultury_ in the tabernacle.
They allowed the _ark of the covenant_ to be used as a “good luck charm” in hopes that
it would help them defeat the _philistines_.
The Israelites lose to the Philistines. Hophni and Phinehas die in battle. When Eli hears of
their death, he falls over backwards and dies. The Ark is taken by the Philistines.
III. Samuel: The Leader
With Eli & his sons dead, _Samuel_ assumes the leadership in Israel and travels the land
pronouncing:
“Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, “If you want to return to the Lord
with all your hearts, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth.
Turn your hearts to the Lord and obey him alone; then he will rescue you from
the Philistines.” 1 Sam. 7:3
__Israel__________________ responded to Samuel’s challenge and served the Lord
throughout Samuel’s lifetime.
As Samuel got old he made his sons judges in Israel. However, Israel rejected this idea
and asked Samuel for a _King_ instead.
God tells Samuel they have rejected _me_ not _you_.
IV. King Saul
Selection
From outward appearances, _Saul_ was the perfect candidate to be the King. (1
Sam. 9)
Disobedience
Against the commands of God & the instructions of Samuel, Saul offers a
sacrifice. (1 Sam. 13)
Rejection
Saul defies God’s direct command to destroy the Amalekites by sparing their king
and their best. Because Saul rejected God’s authority God had rejected _Saul_. (1
Sam. 15)
V. King David – 2 Samuel 1-11
VI. David: Anointed by Samuel
Selection: God sent Samuel to anoint Saul’s successor. Samuel assumes that one of
David’s impressive-looking brothers was God’s choice. David is chosen as a “man after
God’s own heart” or God’s own choosing. Saul was the people’s choice.
“The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward
appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
VII. David: Kills Goliath
Conflict: David is the lone Israelite to challenge the Philistine warrior champion Goliath.
He rejects Saul’s ________________ and armed with his slingshot and five stones kills
Goliath.
Result: David’s victory over Goliath further fuels _________________ jealousy of David.
IX. King David Brings Back The Ark
After establishing Jerusalem as the _capital_ city of Israel, David desires to make
Jerusalem the _religious__ capital as well.
Step One: Bring the Ark home
The death of uzzah__
The reaction of __michal_
X. King David: God’s Covenant with David
Step Two: Replace the tabernacle with a temple
David’s desire was to replace the “temporary” _tabernacle_ with a permanent
_temple_; A permanent place for God to dwell.
God rejects David’s offer to build him a house and instead tells David He will build
him a _dynasty_ (“house”).
In this covenant God unconditionally promises David a son (seed) on the throne forever,
fulfilling the promises to Abraham and Sarah that kings would be born of them (Gen
17:6, 16)
Christ is the fulfillment of this covenant, as He is the awaited Messiah King from David
who brings with Him the Kingdom of God.
XI. King David – 2 Samuel 11-24
XII. King David – Bathsheba
Who was Uriah?
One of David’s “_mighty men_.” (2 Samuel 23:39)
Magnitude of David’s sin:
Covet
_adultery or rape_
_deceit_
Murder
The _consequences_ of David’s Sin:
Your family will live by the sword
Your own household will rebel against you
Your wives will be taken by another man before your very eyes, and he will go to
bed with them in public view.
XIII. King David – A Family at War
A Family at war:
Amnon assaults Tamar. Absalom avenges this crime by killing Amnon.
Absalom’s subtly plots a revolt against David_. This coup d’état causes David to flee.
Absalom is eventually _killed_, David returns to Jerusalem and mourns the death of
Absalom.
XIV. King Solomon – Successes
Peace: Israel’s enemies were defeated
Wisdom: God’s gift to rulers to establish _justice_ in their kingdom (Prov 8:15; 1 Kgs
3:28).
Temple: 7 years to build, twice the size of the tabernacle; Size-90x30x45
Palace: 13 years to build; Size-150x75x45
Riches: Much gold, many horses & chariots, a fleet of ships, a lot of wives
XV. King Solomon – Sin
Solomon broke every one of God’s commands for the King (Deut. 17) through his
accumulation of:
Wealth (Power)
Many horses (Military Strength)
Many wives: _700_ wives & _300_ concubines (Self-Indulgence, Political Alliance,
& Attracted to the Spiritual not the Godly)
XVI. Divided Kingdom
Solomon dies and his son Rehoboam is named the new king in Israel.
Rehoboam rules Israel _harshly_. This leads the northern tribes to split from the
southern tribes.
Jeroboam assumes the kingship of the northern tribes which are identified as _israel_.
The southern tribes are known as _Judah_.
Judah
Rehoboam continues the lineage of David and Solomon.
Judah has Jerusalem, the temple, and the lineage.
Israel
Jeroboam makes _Samaria_ the capital city of the north and puts two idols in Dan and
Bethel for worship.
The northern tribes are separated both _politically_ and _religiously from the southern
tribes.
XVII. Kings of Israel
19 - Bad (“Did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord.”)
XVIII. Kings of Judah
12 - Bad (“Did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord.”)
5 - Ok (“Did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but nor as his father David had
done.”)
3 - Good (“Did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father David had done.”)
Two notable good kings: Hezekiah and Josiah.
Hezekiah is noted for his dependence on God to deliver Judah from the
__Assyrians_.
Josiah is noted for his reform following the finding of the _book of the law_.
One notable bad king: Manasseh
Manasseh re-introduces _idolatry_ in Judah. He even moves the idols into the
Temple. He makes the people sin.
XIX. Elijah and Elisha
The Prophets were responsible to
speak on God’s behalf
call out _______________ and ____________________
expose the wickedness of the ____________________
Interpret their history in light of the covenant (Lev 26; Deut 28)
challenge Israel to ________________ and follow God
promote covenant _______________________
XX. Elijah & Elisha – Prophets to Israel
King Ahab marries Jezebel and they begin the process of converting Israel to
_______________________ worship by killing the prophets of Israel and bringing in
__________________________ prophets.
God calls _____________________ to confront the King and Queen and pronounce a
drought on the land.
God sends Elijah to Kerith Ravine where he protects him and provides for him.
When Elijah resurfaces he challenges the 450 prophets of Baal to worship battle at
_________________________.
XXIII. Elijah & Elisha – Prophets to Israel
Before Elijah is taken to heaven, Elisha requests a ________________________ of
Elijah’s spirit. God grants this request to Elisha and he becomes the new prophet to
Israel.
Elijah’s Miracles:
• Causing the rain the cease for 3 1/2 years (1Ki 17:1)
• Being fed by the ravens (1Ki 17:4)
• Miracle of the barrel of meal and cruse of oil (1Ki 17:14)
• Resurrection of the widow's son (1Ki 17:22)
• Calling of fire from heaven on the altar (1Ki 18:38)
• Causing it to rain (1Ki 18:45)
• Prophecy that Ahab's sons would all be destroyed (1Ki 21:22)
• Prophecy that Jezebel would be eaten by dogs (1Ki 21:23)
• Prophecy that Ahaziah would die of his illness (2Ki 1:4)
• Calling fire from heaven upon the first 50 soldiers (2Ki 1:10)
• Calling fire from heaven upon the second 50 soldiers (2Ki 1:12)
• Parting of the Jordan (2Ki 2:8)
• Prophecy that Elisha should have a double portion of his spirit (2Ki 2:10)
Being caught up to heaven in a whirlwind (2Ki 2:11)
Elisha’s Miracles:
Parting of the Jordan (2Ki 2:14)
Healing of the waters (2Ki 2:21)
Curse of the two bears (2Ki 2:24)
Filling of the valley with water (2Ki 3:17)
Deception of the Moabites with the valley of blood (2Ki 3:22)
Miracle of the jars of oil (2Ki 4:4)
Prophecy that the Shunammite woman would have a son (2Ki 4:16)
Resurrection of the Shunammite's son (2Ki 4:34)
Curing the pot of food (2Ki 4:41)
Miracle of the bread (2Ki 4:43)
Healing of Naaman (2Ki 5:14)
Perception of Gehazi's transgression (2Ki 5:26)
Cursing Gehazi with leprosy (2Ki 5:27)
Floating of the axe head (2Ki 6:6)
Prophecy of the Syrian battle plans (2Ki 6:9)
Vision of the chariots (2Ki 6:17)
Inflicting the Syrian army with blindness (2Ki 6:18)
Restoring the sight of the Syrian army (2Ki 6:20)
Prophecy of the end of the great famine (2Ki 7:1)
Prophecy that the scoffing nobleman would see, but not partake of, the
abundance (2Ki 7:2)
Deception of the Syrians with the sound of chariots (2Ki 7:6)
Prophecy of the seven-year famine (2Ki 8:1)
Prophecy of Benhadad's untimely death (2Ki 8:10)
Prophecy of Hazael's cruelty to Israel (2Ki 8:12)
Prophecy that Jehu would smite the house of Ahab (2Ki 9:7)
Prophecy that Joash would smite the Syrians at Aphek (2Ki 13:17)
Prophecy that Joash would smite Syria thrice but not consume it (2Ki 13:19)
Resurrection of the man touched by his bones (2Ki 13:21)
Elijah’s ministry was _________________________ and displayed the power of God.
Elisha’s ministry displayed God’s ______________ and His desire to support His people.
Elisha truly did receive a double portion of Elijah’s spirit.
Despite the miracles performed by Elisha, Israel did not return to God.
XXIV. Divided Kingdom – The End of Israel
The End of the Northern Kingdom (Israel):
Civil war erupts in Israel.
_Assyria_ moves in and conquers Israel and takes them out of the land.
The End of Israel (722)
Why was Israel exiled:
idolatry
injustice
_covenant UNfaithfulness__
XXV. Divided Kingdom – The End of Judah
The End of the Southern Kingdom (Judah):
The _Babylonian_ Captivity
The Southern Kingdom lasts _140_ years beyond the Assyrian exhale of the Northern
Kingdom.
_Babylon_ attacks Judah and captures them. They destroy the _temple_ and take most
of the people into captivity (586).
The 3 Stages of The Babylonian Captivity:
Stage 1: Cream of the crop taken (Daniel) (605).
Stage 2: Many taken (Ezekiel); Puppet king installed (597).
Stage 3: Many more killed and taken to exile; _Jerusalem_ and temple destroyed;
Jeremiah witnesses the destruction; left in the land (586).
Ezra & Nehemiah
Rebuilding the Temple, Reforming the People, Rebuilding the Wall & Renewing the
Covenant
I. Introduction: Where are We?
Back in the land after the exile! Restoration is taking place!
II. Rebuilding the Temple (Ezra 1-6
Return: King Cyrus signs a decree that allows the southern tribes to return to __Jerusalem__
and 42,000 leave with Zerubbabel. (Ezra 1-2)
Rebuild: Once in Jerusalem, the people identify their _ancestory_, begin rebuilding and
celebrate the feasts. They rebuild the altar and lay the foundation for the _Temple_. (Ezra 3)
Stop: Judah’s adversaries stop the Temple work. First, they ask to help but are refused.
Second, they appeal to the King and have it stopped. (Ezra 4)
Restart: _Haggai__ and _Zechariah_ encourage Judah to finish what they have started and
complete the Temple. (Ezra 5)
Finish: King Darius issues a decree that the building should continue and the Temple is
complete. (Ezra 6)
III. Reforming the People (Ezra 7-10)
Gap: There is a _50 year_ gap between Ezra 6 and Ezra 7
Coordination: The king encourages another wave of Jews to return to Jerusalem. He writes
a letter and commissions Ezra to gather everything that is needed and lead this return.
(Ezra 7)
Return (Pt. 2): Ezra leads a second group of about 2000 people from _Babylon_ to _Judah_
eighty years after the first group had returned. (Ezra 8)
Prayer: Ezra learns of the people’s sins and goes to God in prayer for these sins. (Ezra 9)
Repent: The people _repent_ of their sins. (Ezra 10)
IV. Rebuilding the Wall (Nehemiah 1-7)
Concern: Nehemiah is concerned that the _walls_ of Jerusalem are in ruins and ask the
king for permission to rebuild them.
Construction: Nehemiah and __families__ living in Jerusalem begin rebuilding the walls of
the city.
Opposition: From __without_ - Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem laughed (2:19), mocked
(4:1), conspired (4:8) and sought to compromise (6:2) Nehemiah’s work. From _within_ -
An economic crisis had led to social injustice.
Completion: The walls of Jerusalem are rebuilt in _52 days_. Even Nehemiah’s enemies
recognize this as the sovereign work of God.
Organization: Nehemiah organizes the cities _leaders_ (assistants, gatekeepers, & guards)
and citizens_. This culminates in city-wide worship.
V. Renewing the Covenant (Nehemiah 8-13)
Reading: Ezra reads the _law of Moses_ to the population of Jerusalem. It takes 7 days.
Celebrating: The city celebrates the Feast of Tabernacles
Praying: The Levites lead the people in a _prayer_ of national confession.
Renewing: The covenant between God and His people was reestablished according to the
Pentateuch. This leads to a great celebration
Disobeying: Nehemiah confronts the nation for numerous issues:
Foreigners were allowed in the _Temple_.
Levites were not being “paid.” Unqualified people serving in the Temple.
The _Sabbath_ was used for buying & selling.
The people returned to marrying foreign women.
VI. The Centrality of the Word of God in the Life of Ezra
“For the gracious hand of his God was on Ezra. This was because Ezra had determined to
study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the
people of Israel.”
Ezra 7:9-10
Determined: set/prepare his heart - a daily deliberate decision.
Study: to inquire or search carefully.
Obey: to practice or live it out.
Teach: training or educating to follow the will of God.
VII. The Centrality of Prayer in the Life of Nehemiah
There are 10 chapters in the book of Nehemiah and 10 prayers are recorded in the book of
Nehemiah.
One of the most important prayers for understanding the Old Testament is found in
Nehemiah 9. The people rehearse their history and how God demonstrates his faithfulness
and love despite the people’s waywardness.
Esther
Deliverance Will Arise
I. Purposes
1. To explain the feast of Purim and its origins.
2. To demonstrate God’s provision and protection of His people living in exile, even after the
exile had concluded.
II. Cast of Characters
Esther - Jewish wife of Xerxes. Becomes Queen when ______________ is deposed.
Mordecai - Cousin of ___________________ who raises her after her parents die. A
descendent of Saul.
Ahasuerus (Xerxes) – King of Persia
Haman - An Agagite. A descendent of the Amalekites.
III. Problems
Name of God - One curious feature of the book of Esther is that ______________ is not
mentioned in the book.
Names of Esther and Mordecai- Esther and Mordecai’s names reveal how they have blended
in. Mordecai’s name is a version of Marduk, a Babylonian God. Esther’s name comes from
Ishtar, the Persian goddess of love.
IV. The Rise of Esther (Esther 1-2)
The King of Persia throws ___________ parties that lasts for 187 days in order to display his
greatness and splendor.
As the party is coming to an end, the King ask his wife, Queen Vashti, to display her beauty
for all of his friends. Queen Vashti refuses and is deposed as queen.
The King of Persia holds a beauty contest in order to select the next Queen.
_____________ is entered into the contest and says nothing about who she is as a Jew.
Esther pleased the king the most and he makes her the new queen.
V. Mordecai Saves the King (Esther 1-2)
Esther’s cousin _________________ overhears two men plotting to kill the King.
Mordecai tells Esther and Esther tells the King. Mordecai is given credit for saving the king’s
life.
No reward or honor is given to Mordecai. It appears that his act of valor is quickly forgotten.
VI. The Promotion of Haman and the Plan of Mordecai and Esther (Esther 3-4)
___________________ is elevated by the king to the highest position in the land.
With his new authority, Haman orders everyone to kneel before him. Mordecai refuses.
Haman is furious and gets the king to order a decree to destroy all of the _________.
Esther and Mordecai come up with a plan to put a stop to Haman’s plot. Esther will risk her
life and request an audience with the _______________.
Mordecai is convinced that even if Esther remains silent, God will save the Jews. He
believes that perhaps Esther was made queen for an occasion just like this.
VII. Esther’s Party – Part One (Esther 5)
Esther hosts an exclusive party for the _______________ and ________________. At this
party, she reveals that she has some news she would like to share at another party for
both of them tomorrow.
As Haman leaves the party, he sees Mordecai in the street and his anger gets the best of
him.
Haman orders gallows to be built and Mordecai to be executed in the morning.
VIII. A Sleepless King (Esther 6)
That night, the King can’t sleep and he orders the record of his reign to be read.
He hears about how Mordecai saved his life and realizes nothing was done to honor him.
_________________ meets with the king in the morning seeking execution orders for
Mordecai.
Instead, the king orders Haman to lead Mordecai around town and command the people
to praise Mordecai
IX. Esther’s Party – Part Two (Esther 7)
Esther holds her second party and reveals to the king that someone is trying to her. her
cousin Mordecai, and all her _____________.
The king is furious and orders that Haman be executed on the gallows that were built for
Mordecai.
X. Mordecai’s Decree (Esther 8)
The King can’t reverse his own decree so he tasks Mordecai with creating a
_______________________.
Mordecai’s decree allows the Jews to defend themselves and put to death any who are
seeking to kill the Jews.
Mordecai is elevated to the seat beside the king - the highest position in the land.
XI. The People are Saved (Esther 9-10)
God protects his people from destruction in exile.
Esther and Mordecai establish the __________________________ in order to
commemorate the deliverance of the Jews from their enemies.
