The Book of Nehemiah

Nehemiah came from the tribe of Judah and, probably, from the royal family. He held the high rank of cupbearer at the court of the Persian kings. In the 20th year of the reign of the Persian king Artaxerxes Longiman (465-424 B.C. in 446 B.C.). Nehemiah learned from his compatriots who had come from Palestine about the deplorable state of Jerusalem. He begged the king, and he sent Nehemiah to his homeland as a ruler with extensive powers. Here he built a city and erected walls around it, despite the resistance of the Samaritans. Having built the city, settled it and consecrated the walls, Nehemiah together with Ezra began to enlighten the people and regulate their moral and social life: the Law of Moses was read, the Feast of Tabernacles was celebrated, the rich forgave debts to the poor, and the people's covenant with God was renewed. After that, Nehemiah returned to Artaxerxes, but then he came back to Jerusalem and worked to eradicate various crimes among the people. Thus, for 30 years, until his very death, Nehemiah worked for the benefit of the restoration of Jerusalem and the strengthening of faith among the people.

Just as Nehemiah's work was a continuation of Ezra's, so the book of the former is a continuation of the book of the latter. Ezra describes the beginning of the restoration of Jerusalem, namely, the temple and spiritual and moral enlightenment, and Nehemiah describes the construction of the walls, the settlement and restoration of the city, and the civil structure on religious principles. The purpose of both books is to continue the history of the people of God and to show the ways of God's Providence, by which the people were saved and prepared in anticipation of the promised Messiah.

The decree of Artaxerxes, given to Nehemiah in 446 B.C., is of particular importance, since it begins the reckoning of Daniel's weeks regarding the coming of the Messiah (Dan. 9:22-27).

Being a historical monument of God's mercies to the chosen people, the book of Nehemiah has a highly instructive value. Nehemiah's self-sacrificing love for his country and people, for whose sake he, like Moses, neglected the luxurious life of the king's court, and his unselfish and tireless work for the welfare and glory of his country, are a high example to follow.

Book of Esther

the book received its title from the main character in it, named Esther, which means "Star". Due to her beauty, the Jewish orphan Hadassa became the wife of the Persian king Artharxerxes (probably Xerxes, 485-465), receiving the name Esther. Esther was raised by her uncle Mordecai, who worked as a doorkeeper at the royal court. Mordecai had saved the life of a king whom the conspirators wanted to kill several years earlier. Mordecai's merit was noted in Persian documents.

Some time after Esther became queen, the king's all-powerful minister, the proud Haman, hating the Jews, decided to exterminate them within the Persian Empire. For this purpose, as if in the name of the king, he wrote a corresponding decree and began to look for an opportunity to give it to the king for signature. By God's providence, Mordecai learned of Haman's plan. Haman, confident in the success of his plot and hating Mordecai, hastened to prepare the gallows for him. But events did not go according to Haman's plan. At the feast, Esther boldly revealed his plot and that he was going to hang her uncle, to whom the king owed his life. Learning of Haman's willfulness, the enraged king destroyed the decree he had prepared and ordered Haman to be hanged on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai ("do not dig another pit, you will fall into it yourself!") In memory of the salvation of the Jews from Haman, the holiday of "Purim" (in Hebrew - "lot") was established.

The Book of Judith