Ezra, Nehemiah, 1 Esdras Notes
by Ken Johnson Th.D.
On Church History
Starts at 2 Chronicles 35.
Josiah destroyed all idols, rebuilt the temple and replaced the ark. He
reestablished the 24 priest courses, found the book of the law then started up
the Passover observance. This was the best Passover they ever had since
Joshua-nun.
In the 18 year of Josiah’s rain, Pharaoh Necho went to battle with
Carchemish on the Euphrates (by the word of God) Josiah went out against him
and died in battle. Jeremiah lamentated for Josiah.
Pharaoh placed Jehoahaz
(his son) in his place he ruled 3 months then Nebechadrezer sent sheshbazzer to
take the holy vessels and captives. He placed Zedekiah as ruler, but he
rebelled against Nebechadrezer and Jeremiah.
Zedekiah forsook God and the
temple so started the 70 year captivity in 536.
Cyrus decreed to build the
temple in Jerusalem and return the vessels, but the Samarians (people who Asnapper (Assyria) had put in place of Israel when Assyria captured Israel)
troubled the rebuilding. They sent a letter to Cyrus saying if they build the
city they will rebel, so Cyrus ceased the building.
Not until Darius 1st year
was the decree reaffirmed. Joshua and Zerubbel then went back and started
rebuilding the temple again (the first time all that was done was the clearing
rubble off the temple mount.) They started in the 2ed year (453 BC).
Darius
also says that all Israeli land now in possession by Edomites will be given
back or Edomites will be hanged.
The list of the returning people is in Ezra 2
and Nehemiah 7.
The Samaritans wrote another letter to Darius saying Jews will
rebel. So Darius searched and found Cyrus’s decree in Echatana ( a place in
media). Darius wrote back and said you will supply the sacrifices of cattle
for them, and if you hinder in any way you will be hanged.
So they prospered by the prophecies of Zechariah and Haggai.
The temple was completed in the 6th year of Darius (457 BC).
In the 7th year Ezra came to Jerusalem. He was scribe and priest. They
continued to build until Nehemiah came in the 20 year (445 BC).
The Samaritans tried attacking all the time to stop the building of the city,
so Nehemiah divided them in to watches and all workers worked wile their
swords were on them so any time they could stop and fight and around the
clock.
They built up the wall in 52 days. It was completed on the 25th of Elul.
Nehemiah finds Ezra’s list of exiles.
Ezra finds out they married foreign women he makes them put their wives away.
In the 7th month they celebrate the feast of tabernacles (hadn’t been kept
since Joshua’s time.)