Notes on the Books of Ezra Nehemiah and Esther

Timely, pointed advice for the Christian today abounds in the 2500 year old books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. These three closely linked books, covering the period of Jewish history following the captivity, illustrate the various responses man can make to the commands of God and the consequences that are sure to follow. Ezra: A Jewish "remnant" after a long exile in Babylon, the stronghold of pagan corruption, is gathered back to Jerusalem. Babylonian experiences have cured them of their worship of images, and spiritual revival has given a place of importance to the Word. They are ready to begin again for God. Nehemiah: Nehemiah continues the history of these people as they rebuild the city walls and re-establish civil authority. Incidents of faith in individual lives shine forth through the narrative. Esther: The book of Esther picks up the story of those Jews -- the mass of the Jewish nation -- who preferred the easy, lucrative life under Persian rule to the hardships of emigrating to Canaan. Seeking their own convenience rather than God's glory, they missed the liberty and blessing that could have been theirs. The principles demonstrated in these books still need emphasis today. "In the simplest way," Dr. Ironside writes, "I have sought to emphasize important truths that are being neglected ... when they need to be pressed more insistently than ever." - Jacket flap.