Ezra 1:1-11 – Something In The Way He Moves
God moves both King Cyrus of Persia and the Israelites in exile to build a second Temple in Jerusalem.
Ezra 2:1-70 – When Jews Come Marching Home Again, Hurrah! Hurrah!
42,360 exiles march 900 miles over a period of four months to return to Jerusalem.
Ezra 3:1-13 – Temple Tantrum
Some of the old men who had seen the splendor of the first Temple wept aloud with disappointment at the simplicity of the second Temple.
Ezra 4:1-5:5 – Weapons Of Mass Discouragement
Ezra lists the many strategies Israel’s enemies used to discourage them from building the Temple.
Ezra 5:6-6:12 – Persian Pen Letter
Two Persian officials pen a letter to King Darius to determine if the Jews have permission to rebuild their Temple.
Ezra 6:13-22 – The Stone Temple Prophets
The prophets Haggai & Zechariah encourage the Israelites as they work to complete their stone and timber Temple.
Ezra 7:1-28 – He Wanna Hold Your Hand
Six times in the next two chapters, Ezra describes “the good hand of his God” upon him.
Ezra 8:1-36 – Living In A Camp, Down By The River
Before setting out for Jerusalem, Ezra makes camp for three days by the river.
Ezra 9:1-15 – The Trouble With Trembles
The returned exiles who listened to Ezra teach God’s Word are described as “trembling”.
Ezra 10:1-44 – The Worst Wives Club
The Israelites who married pagan women are told that they must divorce them.
Nehemiah 1:1-11 – The Gate Awakening
Nehemiah is greatly moved upon hearing that the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and that its gates are burned with fire.
Nehemiah 2:1-8 – I See A Sad Mood Rising
Nehemiah’s sadness prompts the king to ask him what is wrong with him.
Nehemiah 2:9-20 – Gate Expectations
Not knowing exactly what to expect, Nehemiah goes from gate-to-gate along Jerusalem’s ruined wall.
Nehemiah 3:1-32 – Where You Gonna Wall? Gate Builders!
The Israelites are assigned certain sections of the wall and specific gates to repair.
Nehemiah 4:1-23 – His Helpers And The Nehemiah Brass
Threatened with attack by their enemies, Nehemiah instructs those helping build the wall to rally to him whenever they hear the blowing of the trumpet.
Nehemiah 5:1-19 – Accusers Assemble
Nehemiah calls everyone to assemble after the workers on the wall accuse the wealthy Jewish businessmen of profiting from their hardships.
Nehemiah 6:1-14 – No Go Ono
Nehemiah’s enemies ask him to go to the plains of Ono where they intend to do him harm.
Nehemiah 6:15-7:73 – Doin’ That Sing You Do
Nehemiah facilitates worship in the Temple by appointing gatekeepers, Levites, and singers.
Nehemiah 8:1-18 – You Can Hide Your Cryin’ Eyes
Nehemiah tells the Israelites listening to the reading of God’s Law to quit crying.
Nehemiah 9:1-38 – Come And Listen To The Story Of A Clan Called Jews
The Jews hear their history and it leads them to repent and rededicate themselves to the LORD.
Nehemiah 10:1-39 – God’s House Is A Very, Very, Very Divine House
The Israelites make a series of promises to not neglect the house of God.
Nehemiah 11:1-12:26 – Hit Me With Your Best Lot
Nehemiah casts the lot to determine who among the Israelites must repopulate Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 12:26-47 – Celebrate! Celebrate! Advance To The Music
Nehemiah appoints two choirs to sing advancing toward one another in a processional on top of the wall surrounding Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 13:1-31 – I Came… I Saw… I Constructed
Decades after he first came and saw the ruined wall, Nehemiah reflects on his service to the LORD.
