Return to Me
Ezra & Nehemiah
Ezra 10 (semester wrap-up)
November 18, 2018 • Christy Voelkel • Ezra 10
Ezra separates Israel from the pagan wives in conjunction with the fall feasts. Overview of the observance of the Day of Atonement, the steps for repentance, and how those are reflected in the words and actions of Ezra and Israel. Study of "hope" (Hebrew word, miqveh) used in v2 - why Shecaniah chose that particular word out of 15 different words for hope in the Hebrew, what it meant to Ezra and what it means to us. This will be the last class of the semester.
Ezra 9
November 11, 2018 • Christy Voelkel • Ezra 9
Life in Jerusalem: The leaders' report, broken laws - what laws have been broken and how do the principles in these laws translate into a New Covenant context. Accountability: how did Israel's condition get this bad? Comparison with 1 Cor. 5. Ezra's response to Israel's new "normal". Ezra's confession and understanding of God's grace.
Ezra 8
November 4, 2018 • Christy Voelkel • Ezra 8
Journey of the second wave of returnees. Comparison/contrast between the account of the 1st wave and 2nd wave - similarities in the narrative structure, differences in the details. The "three day" theme in Ezra - what three-day time periods signified to Ezra from a study of the Law. Building God's reputation. The good and the bad of boasting. The need for accountability.
Ezra 6-7
October 21, 2018 • Christy Voelkel • Ezra 6—7
Transition from one phase of building to the next, from building a physical house to building a spiritual house in the form of people. Points of separation that mark the transition. Review of the Big Picture - how Ezra's sanctification of Israel compares to the Holy Spirit's work in our sanctification in this age (similarities and differences). Begin chapter 7: what do we know of Ezra.
Ezra 5-6
October 14, 2018 • Christy Voelkel • Ezra 5—6
Discussion of messages of the prophets - how they motivated Israel to start working on the Temple again and how the Persian officials reacted to it. More enemy tactics. Review of the chronological order of Ezra (where we have been and where we are going).
Ezra 4 - Part 2
October 7, 2018 • Christy Voelkel • Ezra 4
Continuation of Ezra 4 (use worksheet from last week). Discussion of the enemy tactic of using skewed reports. Discussion of the authority of written documents that anticipates the New Testament as an authority. How we answer critics about the seeming discrepancy in the timeline - the use and purpose of inclusios and chiastic structures.