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Esther, Ezra and Nehemiah: Persian Period and Restoration

  1. Lesson One
    Diaspora Stories (Esther 1–7)
    16 Activities
  2. Lesson Two
    Overview of Esther (Esther 8–10)
    14 Activities
  3. Lesson Three
    The Character of Esther (Esther Review)
    14 Activities
  4. Lesson Four
    Ezra
    15 Activities
  5. Lesson Five
    Nehemiah
    17 Activities
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

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Grab your Workbook Journal!

[Record your answers in the workbook provided at the beginning of this course.]

The prayer recorded in Nehemiah 9 laments the failure of Israel’s past leaders. In contrast, this book presents a model leader. Let’s look at one of the classic cases of Nehemiah’s leadership on full display.

Read Nehemiah 5:1-5. 

  1. Describe why the people are complaining.

Notice that people are suffering under famine (v. 3) and high levels of taxation (v. 4). Individual families don’t have enough money to buy grain or pay their taxes. This is forcing them to either mortgage their homes and land or sell family members into slavery. 

Nehemiah takes action. Read Nehemiah 5:6-13.

  1. Describe how Nehemiah reacts. 

Nehemiah was angry—so angry he decided to level charges against the appropriate officials (v. 7). He then formed an assembly that aimed to publicly discuss the state of affairs. Most importantly, Nehemiah forced a resolution of the situation, which included an oath by the priestly officials (vv. 12-13).

But there was one other thing that Governor Nehemiah did. 

Read Nehemiah 5:14-19.

  1. What else did Nehemiah do? Describe that course of action.

In a great show of solidarity, Nehemiah publicly rejects the food allowance rightfully owed to him as a governor (Nehemiah 5:14-19). He shares his food allowance with 150 Jews and officials. Also notice that he and his men didn’t acquire any land.

  1. Describe leadership principles Nehemiah’s actions exhibit.