Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther (Teach the Text Commentary Series)
Overview
Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther are the historical books from Israel’s postexilic period. While lacking miraculous intervention found in previous historical books, God is nevertheless active behind the scenes, working through human agency and sovereignly orchestrated “coincidences” to achieve his purposes: the restoration and protection of his people, despite opposition and outright threat.
- Provides information pastors need to effectively communicate Scripture
- Contains a concise summary, main theme, illustrations, and interpretation for each passage
- Points to key themes and ways to communicate them to today’s audience
Top Highlights
“At the beginning of Ezra, then, the Jerusalem temple is in ruins and the Jewish community is in exile in Babylon because of the unfaithfulness of their ancestors. But they also know of God’s promise to bring them back to the land of Judea and restore his blessing to them there if they return to him. The author tells the story against this spiritual background.” (Page 7)
“Ezra-Nehemiah is not two books but one. There is no known Hebrew manuscript that separates the book into two parts before AD 1448.” (Page 3)
“It highlights the fact that the potential for disrupting the restoration lies as much in the conduct of the Judeans themselves as in the actions of the surrounding peoples.” (Page 137)
“The implication is that people who become wealthy by forcing others into poverty are bringing God’s judgment upon themselves.” (Page 138)
“As priest and lawgiver, Ezra effectively embodies the roles of both Aaron and Moses for the community of the new exodus.” (Page 78)
Resources such as Nykolaishen and Schmutzer's Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther in Baker's Teach the Text Commentary Series are surprisingly difficult to find. They interpret Scripture firmly within its historical and literary contexts and help readers move beyond proof-texting to a genuine understanding of God's word to them, which is also God's word to us. Here you have an example of first-rate evangelical scholarship in service of the church, and I commend it with enthusiasm.
J. Scott Duvall, Fuller Professor of New Testament and chair of the Department of Biblical Studies, Ouachita Baptist University
Packed with colorful historical background material and cogent theological insight into the narrative stories, this is one of the most helpful commentaries I know of on these important books. Anyone planning to teach or preach from Ezra, Nehemiah, or Esther would be wise to drink deeply from this expertly written volume.
J. Daniel Hays, Dean of the School of Christian Studies and professor of biblical studies, Ouachita Baptist University
- Title: Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther
- Authors: Douglas J. E. Nykolaishen, Andrew Schmutzer
- Series: Teach the Text Commentary Series
- Publisher: Baker
- Print Publication Date: 2018
- Logos Release Date: 2018
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible. O.T. Ezra › Commentaries; Bible. O.T. Nehemiah › Commentaries; Bible. O.T. Esther › Commentaries
- ISBNs: 9781493415939, 9780801015403, 149341593, 0801015405, 149341593X
- Resource ID: LLS:TTC15EZR
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-10-05T17:12:47Z
Douglas J. E. Nykolaishen (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is an ordained minister and professor of biblical studies at Ouachita Baptist University.
Andrew J. Schmutzer (PhD, Trinity International University) is professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute. He is coauthor of Between Pain and Grace and has published in Bulletin for Biblical Research and Journal for the Study of the Old Testament.
The Teach the Text Commentary Series gives pastors the best of biblical scholarship and presents the information needed to move seamlessly from the meaning of the text to its effective communication. By providing focused commentary, this volume allows pastors to quickly grasp the most important information. Each unit of the commentary includes the big idea and key themes of the passage and sections dedicated to understanding, teaching, and illustrating the text.