Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther for Everyone

by John Goldingay

Overview

This latest volume in the Old Testament for Everyone series contains a look at the Second Temple period in Israel as well as the story of Queen Esther, who saved the Jewish people from extermination.

In this popular and ambitious series, John Goldingay covers Scripture from Genesis to Malachi and addresses the texts in such a way that even the most challenging passages are explained simply. Perfect for daily devotions, Sunday school preparation, or brief visits with the Bible, the Old Testament for Everyone series is an excellent resource for the modern reader.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780664233822
Publisher:	Westminster John Knox Press
Publication date:	11/26/2012
Series:	Old Testament for Everyone
Pages:	214
Sales rank:	712,005
Product dimensions:	5.13(w) x 7.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

John Goldingay is David Allan Hubbard Professor of Old Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. An internationally respected Old Testament scholar, Goldingay is the author of many commentaries and books.

Table of Contents

Maps viii

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction 1

Ezra 1:1-4 On Not Settling Down as a Refugee 8

Ezra 1:5-11 Precious Possessions Unexpectedly Restored 12

Ezra 2:1-67 Who We Were 16

Ezra 2:68-3:5 Worship, Scripture, Gospel 20

Ezra 3:6-13 Shouts of Joy and the Sound of Weeping 24

Ezra 4:1-6 Discouragement 28

Ezra 4:7-23 Rulers Are Not a Threat to People Who do Right 31

Ezra 4:24-5:5 New Inspiration 35

Ezra 5:6-17 The Whole Story 38

Ezra 6:1-15 Sometimes You are Dumbfounded 41

Ezra 6:16-22 Joyful Celebration 45

Ezra 7:1-10 Enter the Priest-Theologian 49

Ezra 7:11-28 What We Owe and What We Give Because We Want To 53

Ezra 8:1-23 Another Exodus 57

Ezra 8:24-36 The Hand of God 61

Ezra 9:1-4 The Importance of Separation 63

Ezra 9:5-15 How to Make Your People's Confession 67

Ezra 10:1-5 Where There is Commitment There is Hope 71

Ezra 10:6-44 The Tough Action 75

Nehemiah 1:1-4 A Group of Survivors, Troubled and Disgraced 79

Nehemiah 1:5-11a Boldness as God's Servant 81

Nehemiah 1:11b-2:10 Boldness (and Discretion) as a King's Servant 85

Nehemiah 2:11-3:14 No Gifts Required 89

Nehemiah 3:15-4:6 May Their Mockery Rebound on Them 93

Nehemiah 4:7-23 Sword and Trowel, Faith and Hope 98

Nehemiah 5:1-5 The Community's Moral Challenge 101

Nehemiah 5:6-19 Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 105

Nehemiah 6:1-19 Don't Trust Anybody 110

Nehemiah 7:1-73a Working in the Context of God's Promises 114

Nehemiah 7:73b-8:8 How to Teach without Packaging 118

Nehemiah 8:9-18 Mourning or Celebration? 121

Nehemiah 9:1-19 How to Make Your Confession 126

Nehemiah 9:20-37 Serfs and Servants 130

Nehemiah 9:38-10:29 Putting Your Life Where Your Mouth Is 134

Nehemiah 10:30-39 On Being Specific 137

Nehemiah 11:1-36 The Holy City 141

Nehemiah 12:1-43 Our Achievement, God's Enabling 145

Nehemiah 12:44-13:14 The Pastor's Frustration 149

Nehemiah 13:15-31 Desecration and Trespass 153

Esther 1:1-22 The Woman Who Won't Play Ball 157

Esther 2:1-18 The Girl Who Pays a Price 161

Esther 2:19-3:11 Amalek Redivivus 165

Esther 3:12-4:17 The Possibility of a Non-miraculous Miracle 169

Esther 5:1-14 The Girl Who Knows How to Work Her Man 174

Esther 6:1-11 Do-Right Man 178

Esther 6:12-8:2 Realism about Empire Becomes Execution Farce 180

Esther 8:3-17 The Right to Self-Defense 184

Esther 9:1-22 Boxing Day 187

Esther 9:23-10:3 A True Story, a Law That Will Last 191

Glossary 195

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Goldingay brings to the task his great learning, his deep passion for faith, his informed imagination, and his attentiveness to contemporary life." Walter Brueggemann, Emeritus, Columbia Theological Seminary

"This series truly is for everyone who wants to grow in their understanding of the Old Testament." Tremper Longman III, Westmont College

"These down-to-earth presentations, often illuminated by contemporary images and illustrations, offer reflections that can richly inform faith and life." Terence E. Fretheim, Luther Seminary

"Goldingay writes for everyone as a master teacher, pastor, and friend. He makes sense of the strangest parts of the Old Testament and refreshes our understanding of the most familiar material." Pamela Scalise, Fuller Theological Seminary Northwest

Editorial Reviews

"These down-to-earth presentations, often illuminated by contemporary images and illustrations, offer reflections that can richly inform faith and life." Terence E. Fretheim, Luther Seminary

"This series truly is for everyone who wants to grow in their understanding of the Old Testament." Tremper Longman III, Westmont College

"Goldingay brings to the task his great learning, his deep passion for faith, his informed imagination, and his attentiveness to contemporary life." Walter Brueggemann, Emeritus, Columbia Theological Seminary

"Goldingay writes for everyone as a master teacher, pastor, and friend. He makes sense of the strangest parts of the Old Testament and refreshes our understanding of the most familiar material." Pamela Scalise, Fuller Theological Seminary Northwest

From the Publisher