The People’s Bible: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther

by John F. Brug

Publisher:

Northwestern Publishing House

, 1985

Overview

After 70 years of captivity in Babylon, God’s people returned to Palestine. Ezra and Nehemiah relate the struggles of God’s people as they returned and restored their homeland. The book of Esther tells of a beautiful Jewish woman who became queen and then risked her life to save her people.

Many people have found The People’s Bible to be the most reliable Bible commentary series published. It’s the laypeople’s Bible—down to earth, clearly written, easy to read and understand, filled with practical and contemporary applications. The Christ-centered commentary follows the Scripture sections containing explanations of the text, historical background, maps, illustrations, and archaeological information.

The People’s Bible commentaries are great for personal or group study.

Key Features

• Historical background
• Maps, illustrations, and archaeological information
• Practical and contemporary applications

Contents

Top Highlights

“Nehemiah had no time for lengthy or formal prayer, but he showed that continual prayer is basically an attitude of the heart. It is trusting in God at all times and facing each new situation with an awareness of our dependence on God’s help.” (Page 74)

“The book of Esther is especially meaningful for Christians today because, more than any other book of Scripture, it demonstrates the way God works among us at any given time in history. Like Esther, we do not see God’s power on display in mighty miracles such as those performed by Moses in Egypt. Today God normally works with the same quiet power that is on display in the book of Esther. But the power and the effect are the same, whether God destroys the enemies of his people with dramatic displays of power as he did in Egypt or turns the hearts of kings with quiet power visible only to the eyes of faith.” (Page 156)

“Whether the motives of Esther and Mordecai were pure, mixed, or selfish, the main point of the story remains the same: God controls history to preserve his people and fulfill his promises.” (Pages 193–194)

“And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?’” (Page 175)

“The celebration in the seventh month reminds us of the similar celebration at the time of Zerubbabel’s return one hundred years earlier. The first day of the seventh month was the civil New Year’s Day, the Feast of Trumpets. This celebration went back to the time of Moses: ‘The Lord said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites: ‘On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts’ ’ ’ (Leviticus 23:23, 24; also Numbers 29:1–6).” (Page 114)

Product Details

• Title: The People’s Bible: Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther
• Author: John F. Brug
• Publisher: Northwestern Publishing House
• Publication Date: 1985
• Pages: 201

About John F. Brug

John F. Brug has a Ph.D. in ancient Semitic languages and archaeology from the Center for Ancient Studies of the University of Minnesota. Using this knowledge, Brug participated in excavations at Tel Michal, Tel Gerisa, and Jaffa, Israel.

Brug taught Old Testament, Psalms, Christian Doctrine, and Church Fellowship at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary for more than thirty years. He also taught short-term at six other seminaries around the world and served as a professor at Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota, from 1978 to 1983. He retired from teaching in 2015.

In addition to his academic contributions, Brug served as a parish pastor from 1971 to 1978, organizing three mission congregations in western Pennsylvania.

More recently, Brug served as the General Editor and Old Testament Editor of the Wartburg Project. He has also served as the editor of Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly for more than twenty years. Brug lives in Sturtevant, Wisconsin, with his wife Irene.