The Communicator's Commentary

by Roberts, Mark D.; Ogilvie, Lloyd J.

• ISBN13: 9780849904165
• ISBN10: 0849904161
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1993-06-01
• Publisher: W Pub Group

Summary

"Ezra and Nehemiah address issues that make the front pages of our newspapers - and they speak to the yearnings of our hearts". This is why the author of this volume, Dr. Mark Roberts enthusiastically encourages Christian communicators to explore these somewhat obscure Old Testament texts. For much the same reason the author believes modern pastors and Bible students can benefit from careful study in the often-maligned book of Esther. He emphasizes the book's contemporary relevance, stating, "Esther encourages us to grapple with pressing moral issues in light of God's wisdom". As a pastor with a passion for communicating God's truths to young people and to the unchurched in our world, Dr. Roberts shares his personal success in using the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther to address contemporary needs. Not only is this commentary well-written and carefully researched, but, as an added plus, Dr. Roberts' deep faith and his dynamic relationship with Christ shine through every page. As Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie says in the editor's preface, the author of this fine volume "is vulnerable, open and honest about how the Scriptures he explains have impacted his own life". Marked by the excellence you have come to expect in the Communicator's Commentary series, this latest volume wrestles with difficult questions, such as the rightful place of Esther in the canon and the puzzling roles of Sheshbazzar and Zerubbabel; provides a wide range of quotations and anecdotes from modern and classical sources to help us communicate God's message today; and offers balance of exegetical, historical, and literary analysis along with penetrating applications of the truths reflected in these texts. "As communicators",Dr. Ogilvie says, "we all long for those magnificent moments in our preparation when we are gripped with an inspired insight into a passage of Scripture that prompts us to exclaim, 'that will preach!' We are filled with excitement and enthusiasm to share what we've discovered. This is exactly what will happen as you study this commentary. It is power-packed and brimming over with new insight into familiar passages".

Table of Contents

Editor's Preface	p. 9
Author's Preface	p. 15
The Book of Ezra-Nehemiah
Introduction to Ezra-Nehemiah	p. 19
Outline of Ezra-Nehemiah	p. 35
Historical Time-Line Chart for Ezra-Nehemiah	p. 38
Introduction to Part I: Restoration of the Temple (1:1-6:22)	p. 39
God Begins to Restore Through Cyrus (1:1-11)	p. 40
The People Who Returned to Jerusalem (2:1-70)	p. 54
Establishing the Foundations (3:1-13)	p. 68
Opposition to Restoration (4:1-24)	p. 78
Resumption of Restoration (5:1-6:12)	p. 89
Completion and Celebration (6:13-22)	p. 103
Introduction to Part II: Restoration of Covenant Life, Phase One: The Work of Ezra (7:1-10:44)	p. 113
The King Commissions Ezra (7:1-28)	p. 114
Ezra Returns to Jerusalem (8:1-36)	p. 127
Ezra Confronts Jewish Intermarriage (9:1-10:44)	p. 140
Introduction to Part III: Restoration of the Wall through Nehemiah (1:1-7:73)	p. 159
Introduction to Nehemiah (1:1-11)	p. 160
Nehemiah Prepares to Rebuild (2:1-20)	p. 171
Teamwork in Rebuilding the Wall (3:1-32)	p. 184
Confronting and Overcoming Opposition (4:1-6:19)	p. 194
Jerusalem After the Wall (7:1-73)	p. 227
Introduction to Part IV: Restoration of Covenant Life, Phase Two: Ezra and Nehemiah Together (8:1-13:30)	p. 233
Renewal Through Understanding and Celebrating the Law (8:1-18)	p. 235
Renewal Through Confession (9:1-37)	p. 246
Renewal of the Covenant with God (9:38-10:39)	p. 261
Ordering a Renewed People (11:1-12:26)	p. 273
Dedication of the Wall (12:27-43)	p. 281
A Day of Obedience (12:44-13:3)	p. 290
Shoring Up Restoration Life: Nehemiah's Second Term (13:4-31)	p. 293
The Book of Esther
Introduction to Esther	p. 311
An Outline of Esther	p. 333
Prelude to the Story of Esther (1:1-22)	p. 335
Esther Becomes Queen (2:1-23)	p. 348
Haman Issues a Royal Decree to Destroy the Jews (3:1-15)	p. 363
The Response of Esther and Mordecai to Haman's Plot (4:1-17)	p. 373
Esther's Favor and Haman's Pride (5:1-14)	p. 384
The King Honors Mordecai over Haman (6:1-14)	p. 394
Esther Defeats Haman (7:1-10)	p. 402
Mordecai Issues a New Royal Decree for Jewish Self-Defense (8:1-17)	p. 413
The Jews Defend Themselves (9:1-19)	p. 423
Mordecai and Esther Establish Purim (9:20-10:3)	p. 433
Bibliography	p. 441
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