This summer, I’m studying through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah with a few friends from church.

I’ve been wanting to study Nehemiah for a while now (it kept popping up as a cross reference in various other studies I’ve done). So, when I found out we’d be studying the book of Esther in the fall with our Ladies Bible Study at church, I knew it was the right time (since they take place around the same time). As I started into my preliminary study of Nehemiah, I quickly realized that Ezra and Nehemiah were originally one book! So, we jumped back to Ezra and started there. We’re also doing a brief look at Haggai and Zechariah to give context to the prophetic voices of that day, since they’re mentioned in Ezra 5:1.

Besides my NIV Study Bible, I also picked up a couple of ESV Scripture Journals for Ezra and Nehemiah, a copy of Sarah Ivill’s Ezra-Nehemiah Bible Study: The Good Hand of Our God Is Upon Us (which has been incredible so far!), and The Bible Speaks Today commentaries on Ezra and Haggai, Nehemiah, and Zechariah (I found all of them used on Amazon for around $4-7 each). And I listened to the Help Me Teach the Bible podcast episodes on Ezra and Nehemiah, which were very helpful.

I’ll come back and fill in some notes from each of the chapters in later posts, but I wanted to get an initial post out there as I launch this new blog. If you’re interested in this study, feel free to start by reading through the books in your favorite version of the Bible, and check out Sarah Ivill’s Bible study book or any of the other resources mentioned above. There’s no timeline or pace, but if I had to make a recommendation, I’d say studying two chapters at a time for one or two weeks a piece works out well for our small group. And it’s totally informal–just four ladies meeting every other Saturday morning for a couple hours and sharing what God is teaching us, and maybe texting a few times in between to ask questions or encourage one another.

The two phrases that have stood out the most (by far) are “the good hand of our God” and “steadfast love” (referring to the steadfast love of the LORD–the name God uses to remind His people of His covenant with them). I’ve been blown away by God’s sovereignty, provision, and care for His people through these books! The people of God have been in exile for 70 years, and God is calling them back to Himself and Jerusalem to rebuild and renew their relationship. Despite exile and countless setbacks and severe trials, God continues to keep His eye and hand on His people, guiding and providing in the most amazing ways–even by directing the hearts of pagan kings to make decrees and offer funding from the royal treasuries to provide for the rebuilding of the temple and the ongoing sacrifices to the God of Heaven. It’s a beautiful story!

If you haven’t read these books in a while, go ahead and dive in. What key phrases stood out to you as you read?