This summer we will move through the Old Testament books of Haggai, Zechariah, Ezra, and Nehemiah.  These four books are from the same epoch of Israel’s history and they overlap and inter-relate.  It is our custom to alternate in our teaching between the Old Testament and the New Testament.  After our recent studies through the New Testament book of Hebrews, it is the Old Testament's turn.

Following the reigns of David and Solomon the people of Israel and Judah turned to other gods.  They were taken into exile: first Northern Israel; then Southern Judah were exiled.  These four books cover the return from exile, and the rebuilding of the Temple and Jerusalem; along with the rebuilding of personal and community holiness and the worship of the one true God.  God shows His heart of concern for the people in calling them back to Himself.

Of note is that Haggai and Zechariah are prophetic in nature, i.e., dedicated to urging the people to holiness and right relationship with God.  Ezra and Nehemiah are historical narratives, i.e., accounting the actions of God and people, showing God’s grace to His people.  This differences of literary function and form are very evident.  Portions of Ezra and Nehemiah record the details and correspondence involved in the campaign of restoring the temple.  These portions may also serve the purpose of reporting back to Artaxerxes the progress of following his decree.

To help with an historical perspective what follows is an approximate time line of the events covered by the books under consideration (dates are BC):

Timeline

• 587 Temple destroyed and complete exile
• 538 Cyrus issues edict to rebuild the temple
• 523 Cyrus, king of Persia reign ends
• 523 Darius I, king of Persia reign begins (523-485)
• 520 Zerubbabel
• 520 Haggai prophecy
• 520 Zechariah prophecy period begins (520-518)
• 518 Zechariah prophecy period ends (520-518)
• 516 Temple is restored
• 485 Darius I, king of Persia reign ends (523-485)
• 485 Xerxes, king of Persia reign begins (485 – 465)
• 465 Xerxes, king of Persia reign ends (485-465)
• 464 Artaxerxes I, king of Persia reign begins (464-424)
• 460 Malachi earliest dating (somewhere 460 to 430)
• 458 Ezra arrives in Jerusalem (7^th yr of King Artaxerxes)
• 445 Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem
• 1^st term as governor (445-433)
• 433 Nehemiah trecks to Persia
• 2^nd term as governor (433-?)
• 430 Malachi latest dating (somewhere 460 to 430)
• 424 Artaxerxes I, king of Persia reign ends (464-424)
• 423 Darius II, king of Persia reign begins (423-405)
• 405 Darius II, king of Persia reign ends (423-405)
• 404 Artaxerxes II, king of Persia reign begins (404-359)
• 359 Artaxerxes II, king of Persia reign ends (404-359)

 Outline of the series:

• June 20 - Haggai 1 & 2:  Balancing caring for oneself and family with caring for God and His kingdom on earth.
• June 27 - Zechariah 1:1-6:  A clarion call to turn from anything ungodly, i.e., repent, and live with integrity before God.
• July 4 - Zechariah 7:  Following God is a matter of the heart, administering mercy, compassion, justice and heart worship, not ritual.
• July 11 - Zechariah 8:  God promises His blessing, so take heart and be faithful.
• July 18 - Zechariah Chs 9 & 14:  The Messiah is coming so be ready.  These passages relate to both the past and future the coming of the Messiah.
• July 25 - Ezra 1:  “God moves!”  The initiation of relationship and worship is God’s initiative.
• Aug 1 - Ezra 9-10:  Ezra reacts to sin in the community.  This is a very stirring and challenging passage, especially for leaders.
• Aug 8 - Missionary Sunday
• Aug 15 - Nehemiah 1:  Nehemiah responds to the situation with serious prayer, leading to a call to prayer, and examination of the elements of prayer.
• Aug 22 - Nehemiah Chs 2-6:  Nehemiah shows leadership principles that relate to all leaders, no matter the setting.  A message for leaders and those looking to be led.
• Aug 29 - Nehemiah 12:27-47:  Here is the celebration of God’s moving and the restoration of temple, Jerusalem, and the people.  It’s a celebration of God’s goodness.
• Sep 05 - Nehemiah 13:  And for the series conclusion we have the sequel.  It’s a look at the new community when it isn’t quite new any more, and in many ways a fitting summary of the series.

Can the experiences of people living in the Middle East from 430 to 520 BC tell us anything relevant about ourselves today?  The answer is surprising!  While those ancient people lived in a different place at a different time, much is still the same today.  The nature of God has certainly not changed, and people have not changed much either.   Through a study, this summer, of four obscure books of the Old Testament Haggai, Zechariah, Ezra, and Nehemiah we will learn something about ourselves and the relationship we need to have with God.