Chapter 8
At what point in Israel’s history does this story take place in verse one?
All the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel.
Why did the Israelites gather together at this time in verse one of this book?
On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads. Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors.
Why did the people separate themselves from their neighbors in chapter 10 verse 28?
The rest of the people, priests, Levites, gatekeepers, musicians, temple servants and all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand
How was the wall dedicated in these verses of this book? (Verses 27-30)
At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres. The musicians also were brought together from the region around Jerusalem—from the villages of the Netophathites, from Beth Gilgal, and from the area of Geba and Azmaveth, for the musicians had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem. When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people, the gates and the wall.
What did the Israelites discover when they read the book of Moses?
It was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever be admitted into the assembly of God.
Who was included in the assembly at the Water Gate in verse two of this book?
So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand.
What specific steps did the people take to restore their relationship with the Lord?
They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God.
With what general oath did the people bind themselves in verse twenty-nine?
All these now join their fellow Israelites the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord our Lord.
How did the people demonstrate their thankfulness to God for his goodness in verses 43-47?
And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.
What evil deed had Eliashib the priest done in these verses of this book?
He was closely associated with Tobiah, and he had provided him with a large room formerly used to store the grain offerings and incense and temple articles, and also the tithes of grain, new wine and olive oil prescribed for the Levites, musicians and gatekeepers, as well as the contributions for the priests.
What did the people do when Ezra opened the Book of the Law in verse five?
Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up.
What instructions did the Levites offer the people in verse 5 of chapter 9?
And the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah said: “Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting.[a]”
Why was it necessary to cast lots in verse thirty-four of this book?
“We, the priests, the Levites and the people, have cast lots to determine when each of our families is to bring to the house of our God at set times each year a contribution of wood to burn on the altar of the Lord our God, as it is written in the Law.
How long did this reformation last in verse forty-seven in chapter 12?
So in the days of Zerubbabel and of Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the musicians and the gatekeepers.
What had forced the Levites to return to their own fields?
The portions assigned to the Levites had not been given to them, and that all the Levites and musicians responsible for the service had gone back to their own fields.
How did Ezra and the people of Israel respond to the reading of the Law in verse six?
Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
According to the Levites, why did the Lord keep His promises in verse eight?
You found his heart faithful to you, and you made a covenant with him to give to his descendants the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites and Girgashites. You have kept your promise because you are righteous.
How did the people plan to keep the Sabbath holy in verse thirty-one of this book?
When the neighboring peoples bring merchandise or grain to sell on the Sabbath, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on any holy day. Every seventh year we will forgo working the land and will cancel all debts.
According to verse sixteen in chapter 11, who had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God?
Shabbethai and Jozabad, two of the heads of the Levites, who had charge of the outside work of the house of God;
What sins were the people of Israel guilty of in these verses of this book? (Verse 15-24).
In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, together with wine, grapes, figs and all other kinds of loads. And they were bringing all this into Jerusalem on the Sabbath.
Why did the leaders of Israel gather on the second day of the month in verse thirteen?
On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and the Levites, gathered around Ezra the teacher to give attention to the words of the Law.
What mistake did Israel’s forefathers make in verses 16 and 17 of this book?
“But they, our ancestors, became arrogant and stiff-necked, and they did not obey your commands. They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them.
What responsibility did the people take on to insure that the temple was run properly?
We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the Lord each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.
How many sons of Perez dwelt in Jerusalem, according to verse six of chapter 11 of the book of Nehemiah?
The descendants of Perez who lived in Jerusalem totaled 468 men of standing.
How did Nehemiah react to Israel’s sin of intermarriage with foreigners?
Nehemiah rebuked them and called curses down on them. He beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. He made them take an oath in God’s name and said: “You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves.