Prophets Part 3

Ezra
The book of Ezra is God fulfilling his promise to return his people to the Promise Land after seventy years of exile. This is Israel's second exodus though this one was from Babylon. Ezra takes place during the reign of the Persian Empire. In 538 the Persians overtook the Babylonians and King Cyrus of Persia allowed Israel to return home to rebuild the Temple of the Lord.  Only a remnant choose to leave. The book of Ezra is divided up into two sections each section with a return of God's people. The return and restoration of the Temple of God led by Zerubbabel (1:1-6:22) and a second return and restoration of the People of God led under Ezra (7:1-10:44) Ezra was both a priest and scribe from the line of Aaron the high priest. Ezra is not specifically mentioned as the author but Jewish tradition points to Ezra to be the author.

Character and Nature of God
God fulfills his promise 1:2-4
God's favor and blessing 7:8-10, 9:9
God's protection 8:31-32

Redemptive Plan
Celebration of the Passover Lamb 7:19-21


Nehemiah
The book of Nehemiah is a sequel to the book of Ezra. Nehemiah was the Kings cup bearer whose job was to protect the king from being poisoned. It focuses on the third return from exile in 444 BC when Nehemiah finds favour from King Artzaxerxes to go to Jerusalem and rebuild the city (1:8).  While Ezra dealt with the religious restorarion of Israel, Nehemiah's concern was the political and geographical restoration. He served as a governor. The book is divided up into two sections, the Reconstruction of the Wall (1:1-7:73) and the Restoration of the People (8:1-13:31).

Character and Nature of God
God's favor and grace 1:8
God's  blessing and providence 6:15-16
God's mercy repeated 9

Redemptive Plan
not sure

Application
Reading through Nehemiah, I am reminded of God's desire for relationship and that he takes covenants seriously. This encourages but also challenges me to keep building my relationship with God.


Esther
The book of Esther is recorded during the reign of King Xerxes. A vast majority of Jews chose to remain in Persia rather than go back to Jerusalem. God is not mentioned once in the book of Esther but we do see his faithful hand at work through his people. God raises up Esther a poor orphaned refugee who wins the heart of King Xerxes and becomes queen. When threat is raised against all Jews in Persia by the issue of their destruction, Esther lays her life on the line for them. We then see the evil plans of Haman backfire because of the faithfulness of God and in result there is a great victory for the Jews. Mordecai, Esther's cousin plays a important role in this book as one who saves the kings life. The author of Esther is unknown, but it is believed to be someone of Jewish descent.

Character and Nature of God
God's sovereignty (Esther becomes queen) 2:16-17
God's sovereignty (Esther approaches the king) 5:2
God's sovereignty (Mordecai's event discovered) 6:1-2
God's protection and blessing 9:1-5
God's providence 10:25-26

Redemptive Plan
New decree made for the Jews to stand against their enemies 7:7-17

Application
Reading through Esther, I see that God is faithful and everyone has a part to play in God's plan. The question I take away from reading this book is, God what is my part to play in your story? I know God has big plans for me and I need to continually seek him and have a heart posture opened to God and trust his timing and when he does speak walk out in obedience


Haggai
The prophet Haggai delivered his messages God spoke to him in 520 BC, specifically to Zerubbabel during the re-building of the Lord's Temple. At this time in history the people of Israel had been back in their land for eighteen years and in the second year of being back they began the re-building of the Temple. Sixteen years goes by and the Temple is still not complete. They had opposition from their neighbours and in result they stopped building the Temple and focused on their own homes. God withholds his blessing from his people because they were not obedient and became selfish (1:9).  The people receive Haggai's prophecy and begin to complete the Temple for good. It is believed that Haggai the prophet wrote this book.

Character and Nature of God
God's jealousy 1:4
God withholds blessing 1:9-11
God's encouragement 2:4-6

Redemptive Plan
Jesus is portrayed through Zerubbabel 2:23


Zechariah
Zechariah was a prophet who was the son of Berekiah and grandson of Iddo. Zechariah also descended from a line of priests known as the Levites. The book of Zechariah should be read together with Ezra and Haggai because he was a contemporary to them. Zechariah encouraged the people of God to complete the Temple because it was a very important task and one day the Messiah would inhabit it. The book of Zechariah can be broken down into two parts, The encouragement to those re-building them Temple (1-8) Prophecy anticipating of the coming Messiah (9-14).

Character and Nature of God
God's heart for relationship 1:2-4
God is caring and just 2:8-9
God's heart 7:9-10
God is protector and warrior 9:15
God is sovereign 10:12, 12:1-14

Redemptive Plan
Israel will overflow with prosperity again and be comforted 2:17
Purification of sins 3:4
Jesus foretold and shadows him atoning for sin 3:8-10
Restoration of people and land 8:3-6
Jesus shadowed 9:9, 13:1


Malachi
The book of Malachi takes place roughly a couple years after Nehemiah. Both the Temple of the Lord and the city have been re-built. The people of God have fallen away from God and are in a place of spiritual complacency and are doing what is right in their own eyes. God raises up Malachi the prophet to prophecy God's judgement against the people of God because of their wickedness and abandonment to following and serving God whole heartedly. Malachi is broken down into three parts, The Privilege of the Nation (1:1-5), The Pollution of the Nation (1:6-3:15), The Promises to the Nation (3:16-4:6). Malachi is not a proper name, it means "my messenger" which may have been the actual name of the prophet or may have been used as a honorific title, no one really knows though. Whether Malachi was his name, it is believed that he wrote this book.

Character and Nature of God
God's love remains faithful 1:2
God does not change 3:6

Redemptive Plan
God shadows John the baptist to prepare the way for Jesus 3:1
God will restore family 4:5-6

Application
Reading through Malachi really stirred my heart in the area of God desires us to follow and serve him whole heartedly. He wants us to honor him above all else, and he rightfully deserves that place in our lives. This book has challenged me to re-focus my priorities, what they are and how they should be arranged. It is my desire to honor Jesus and make sure he is first in my life.