Nbbc, Ezra/Nehemiah: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition

by Jim Edlin

Overview

Engaging, perceptive, and academically thorough, the NEW BEACON BIBLE COMMENTARY will expand your understanding and deepen your appreciation of the meaning and message of each book of the Bible. Written from the Wesleyan theological perspective, this indispensable commentary provides pastors, professional scholars, teachers, and Bible students with a critical, relevant, and inspiring interpretation of the Word of God in the 21st century.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780834136724
Publisher:	Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City
Publication date:	02/01/2018
Series:	New Beacon Bible Commentary
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Jim Edlin is professor of biblical literature and languages at Mid America Nazarene University. He holds an M.Div. from Nazarene Theological Seminary and a Th.M. and Ph.D. in Old Testament studies from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. His previous publications include Daniel: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition and Discovering the Old Testament.

Table of Contents

General Editors' Preface 9

Acknowledgments 11

Abbreviations 13

Bibliography 17

Table of Sidebars 21

Introduction 23

A Setting 24

B Literary Design 26

C Author and Audience 29

D The Text of Ezra-Nehemiah 30

E Hermeneutical Issues 31

F The Theology of Ezra-Nehemiah 34

Commentary 37

The Book of Ezra 37

I Restoring the Temple: Ezra 1:1-6:22 39

A Decree to Return (1:1-4) 40

B Return to Jerusalem (1:5-2:70) 47

1 Summary of the Israelite Response to the Decree (1:5-6) 48

2 Persian Response to the Decree (1:7-11) 49

3 Details of the Israelite Response to the Decree (2:1-70) 51

C Rebuilding Begins (3:1-13) 56

1 Rebuilding the Altar (3:1-6) 59

2 Rebuilding the Temple Foundation (3:7-13) 62

D Opposition to Rebuilding (4:1-24) 65

1 Introduction to the Problem (4:1-5) 67

2 Illustration of the Problem (4:6-23) 69

3 The Problem (4:24) 74

E Opposition Overcome (5:1-6:22) 75

1 Construction Begins Again (5:1-2) 77

2 Opposition Arises Again (5:3-17) 78

3 Opposition Finally Overcome (6:1-12) 82

4 Temple Completion (6:13-18) 85

5 Passover Celebration (6:19-22) 87

II Restoring the Law: Ezra 7:1 - 10:44 93

A Decree to Return (7:1-28) 93

1 Introduction to Ezra (7:1-10) 96

2 Letter from Artaxerxes (7:11-26) 99

3 Praise for God's Providence (7:27-28) 103

B The Return to Jerusalem (8:1-36) 105

1 List of Returnees (8:1-14) 106

2 Final Preparations for the Journey (8:15-30) 107

3 Journey to Jerusalem (8:31-36) 110

C Opposition to Ezra's Mission (9:1-15) 113

1 The Problem (9:1-2) 115

2 Ezra's Response (9:3-15) 117

D Opposition Overcome (10:1-44) 122

1 Confession (10:1-6) 123

2 Convocation (10:7-15) 126

3 Correction (10:16-44) 128

The Book of Nehemiah 133

III Restoring the Wall: Nehemiah 1:1-6:19 135

A Authorization and Return (1:1-2:10) 136

1 Nehemiah's Prayer (1:1-11) 138

2 Nehemiah's Proposal (2:1-10) 142

B Rebuilding Begins (2:11-3:32) 147

1 Examining the Wall (2:11-16) 149

2 Motivating the People (2:17-20) 151

3 Organizing the Work (3:1-32) 152

C Overcoming Opposition and Obstacles (4:1-6:19 [3:33-6:19 HB]) 160

1 External Opposition (4:1-23 [3:33-4:17 HB]) 163

2 Internal Obstacles (5:1-19) 168

3 More External Opposition (6:1-19) 173

a Sanballat's Proposal (6:1-9) 174

b Shemaiah's Proposal (6:10-14) 176

c Tobiah's Letters (6:15-19) 177

IV Restoring the Covenant Community: Nehemiah 7:1 - 13:31 181

A Preparing to Repopulate Jerusalem (7:1-73a [72a HB]) 182

B Renewing Covenant (7:73b-10:39 [7:72b-10:40 HB]) 188

1 Reading the Law (7:73b-8:18 [7:72b-8:18 HB]) 188

2 Confessing Sin (9:1-37) 199

3 Committing to Covenant (9:38-10:39 [10:1-40 HB]) 212

C Repopulating Jerusalem (11:1-36) 220

D Dedicating the Wall (12:1-47) 228

1 Lists of Priest and Levite Families (12:1-26) 231

2 Dedication of the Wall (12:27-47) 234

E Final Reforms (13:1-31) 241