17 Periods of Bible History

Judah Alone

Captivity

Return from Captivity

i

Periods

11-13

17 Periods of Bible History

1. Before The Flood Genesis 1-52. The Flood Genesis 6-103. The Scattering of the People Genesis 114. The Patriarchs Genesis 12-505. The Exodus Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers

1-136. Wandering in the WildernessNumbers 14-36,

Deuteronomy, Joshua 1-57. Invasion and Conquest Joshua 6-248. The Judges Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel 1-79. The United Kingdom

Saul 1 Samuel 8-31, 1 Chronicles 10David 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles 11-29Solomon 1 Kings 1-11, 2 Chronicles 1-9

10.The Divided Kingdom 1 Kings 12-2 Kings 17, 2 Chronicles 10-30*

11. Judah Alone 2 Kings 18-25, 2 Chronicles 30*-36

12. Captivity Ezekiel, Daniel13. Return from Captivity Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther14.Years of Silence (Prophecy in Amos 8:11)15.Life of Christ Matthew, Mark, Luke, John16.The Early Church Acts17.Letters to the Christians Romans - Revelation

Hezekiah1. Was it enough for Hezekiah and the people of Judah to keep

the Passover then go back to the way things had been?

2. What further actions were taken to make sure they didn’t turn back to the way things were?

3. What did Hezekiah do when Sennacherib came to make war with Judah?

4. What message did the king of Assyria deliver to the people of Judah?

5. When Hezekiah heard the words of Rabshakeh what did he do?

6. What did God do to deliver them at this time?

7. What did Hezekiah do with the letter he received from the king of Assyria?

8. When Isaiah told Hezekiah he was going to die what did Hezekiah do?

9. What was the Lord’s response?

10. When the Babylonians came to see Hezekiah what did Hezekiah show them?

11. What prophecy is given at that time concerning the Babylonians?

3

1 Kings 18-20

2 Chr. 31-32

Lesson

1

Manasseh and Amon

1. How old was Manasseh when he began to reign?

2. How is his reign described?

3. List some of the evil things he did?

4. What did God say He was going to do to Judah because of the sins of Manasseh?

5. What happened to Manasseh himself?

6. What affect did this have on Manasseh?

7. Were Manasseh’s efforts to turn the people back to God successful?

8. How long did Amon reign in Judah?

9. How is his reign described?

4

2 Kings 21

2 Chr. 33

Lesson

2

Josiah

1. How old was Josiah when he began to reign?

2. How is his reign described?

3. What needed to be done after the reigns of Manasseh and Amon?

4. What prophecy do we see fulfilled in 2 Chronicles 34:4-7?

5. What was found as repairs were being made to the temple?

6. Describe Josiah’s reaction when he hears the book of the law read?

7. What was the Lord’s answer to Josiah’s question concerning the wrath of the Lord?

8. What is said concerning the Passover that Josiah and Judah kept?

9. Who did Josiah go to make war against?

10. What did Necho king of Egypt tell Josiah?

5

2 Kings 22-23:30

2 Chr. 34-35

Lesson

3

6

Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, & Jehoiachin1. How long did Jehoahaz reign in Judah?

2. Who took him captive?

3. How did Jehoiakim become king of Judah?

4. What was his relationship to Jehoahaz?

5. Who took Jehoiakim captive?

6. Who reigned in the place of Jehoiakim?

7. How long did Jehoiachin reign in Judah?

8. What else was taken when Jehoiachin was taken captive to Babylon?

9. Notice how quickly the kingdom of Judah was declining.

7

2 Kings 23:31-24:16

2 Chr. 36:1-10

Lesson

4

Daniel Taken To Babylon1. When was Daniel taken captive to Babylon?

2. Who did Nebuchadnezzar specifically ask for in this deportation?

3. What did he intend to do with the young men?

4. What had Daniel purposed in his heart not to do?

5. Did God’s law still apply to Daniel while he was in a foreign land?

6. In what ways did God bless Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah?

7. What made Nebuchadnezzar’s request for someone to interpret his dream so difficult?

8. Describe the dream and Daniel’s interpretation of the dream.

9. What command was given concerning the golden image that was made?

10. Did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego waiver in their convictions?

11. Were they confident that the Lord would deliver them from death?

8

Daniel 1-3

Lesson

5

9

Ezekiel Taken Captive 1. According to Ezekiel 1:-2 where was Ezekiel? When was this?

2. What did God tell Ezekiel to do in 2:3-10?

3. Does what God said in 3:7 make it seem like Ezekiel was going to be wasting his time?

4. In 3:16-27 how does the Lord describe the job Ezekiel was given?

5. Though Daniel and Ezekiel find themselves in Babylon at the same time their work was quite different. Describe the differences you see in the lives of the two men.

10

Ezekiel

Lesson

6

Jeremiah Warns The People1. When did Jeremiah begin his prophetic work?

2. How long did he prophesy?

3. What were the “lying words” (chapter 7) which Jeremiah warned the people not to listen to?

4. How does the Lord describe the attitude of the people in 6:13-17?

5. In chapter 11 what reason does God give for the calamity Judah was facing?

6. What was the message given through the story of the linen sash in chapter 13?

7. According to chapter 15 was there anything that could be done to stop the destruction the Lord was bringing?

11

Jeremiah

Lesson

7

Ezekiel – Just before the fall

1. What event is portrayed in chapter 12?

2. Chapter 15 gives a good description of why Jerusalem is about to be overthrown. What is Israel compared to here?

3. Chapter 16 gives us a look at Israel from God’s viewpoint. How is she described; what was done for her; what did she do?

4. What is the proverb mentioned in chapter 18? Why were they to quit using it?

5. What is the main focus of chapter 21?

12

Ezekiel

Lesson

8

Jeremiah – Zedekiah asks For Help

1. In 26:1-8 where was Jeremiah and what was his message?

2. How did the priests, prophets, and people respond to him?

3. Were they successful in their attempt to silence Jeremiah?

4. In his letter to the captives (chapter 29) what did Jeremiah tell the people to do?

5. Where was Jeremiah when God instructed him to buy a certain field (ch. 32)?

6. When did Jeremiah ask the Lord why; before or after purchasing the field?

7. Why did Zedekiah send Jehucal and Zephaniah to Jeremiah in ch.37?

8. What answer was given to Zedekiah?

13

Jeremiah 26-37

Lesson

9

Zedekiah and Jerusalem Fall1. In Jeremiah 38:14 Zedekiah sends for Jeremiah. Before

answering the king Jeremiah asks for two conditions – what were they?

2. Did Zedekiah agree to both conditions?

3. What did Jeremiah tell Zedekiah to do?

4. When Nebuchadnezzar’s forces finally broke through the walls of Jerusalem what did Zedekiah and his sons do?

5. Where they able to escape?

6. Who remained in the city after all the captives had been carried away?

7. What happened to the city itself?

14

2 Kings 25

2 Chr. 36:11-21

Jeremiah

Lesson

10

Jeremiah – Gedaliah Made Governor

1. After Jerusalem was captured what became of Jeremiah?

2. Who made Gedaliah governor of the land?

3. What did Gedaliah tell the people to do (Jer 40?

4. Who warned Gedaliah of a possible threat from Ishmael?

5. Who all did Ishmael kill? What did he do with their bodies?

6. Who delivered the captives that Ishmael had taken with him?

7. What did Johanan ask Jeremiah to do in ch.49?

8. What did Jeremiah tell him? Did he listen?

15

2 Kings 25:22-26

Jeremiah

Lesson

11

Jeremiah Taken to Egypt1. What is Jeremiah accused of in 43:1?

2. Why was this such a foolish accusation?

3. What did they think Jeremiah was trying to do?

4. When they arrived in Tahpanhes what did the Lord tell Jeremiah to do?

5. When the Lord, through Jeremiah, rebuked the Jews who were in Egypt for their idolatrous ways how did they respond (ch.44)?

6. How was the Lord going to deal with these rebellious people?

7. What would the few who would escape sword do and what purpose would they serve?

16

Jeremiah

Lesson

12

The Watchman / Valley of Dry Bones1. What job is the watchman given?

2. If the people fail to listen is the watchman held accountable?

3. Had Ezekiel done as the Lord had commanded in sounding the warning?

4. How could one be saved whether he is righteous or wicked?

5. What happened when word came to Ezekiel that Jerusalem had been captured?

6. How does Ezekiel describe the bones that were in the midst of the valley?

7. What did God ask him concerning the bones? What was his answer?

8. What did the Lord tell Ezekiel to do?

9. What happened as Ezekiel prophesied to the bones?

10. What did these bones represent?

17

Ezekiel 33 & 37

Lesson

13

Belshazzar and Babylon Overtaken1. What is going on at the beginning of Daniel chapter 5?

2. As he was drinking wine what did Belshazzar decide to do?

3. What did Belshazzar see that caused his countenance to change?

4. Did Belshazzar understand the writing that he saw?

5. Could any of the king’s wise men interpret the writing?

6. Did the queen suggest that Daniel might be able to interpret the writing?

7. Was Daniel impressed by the gifts that were offered?

8. What was written on the wall?

9. What did the writing mean?

10. How long did it take for Daniel’s words to be fulfilled?

18

Daniel 5

Lesson

14

Darius’ Decree / The Lions’ Den1. What position did Daniel hold in the kingdom of the Medes?

2. Why were the governors and satraps envious of Daniel?

3. What did they realize about finding fault with Daniel?

4. Describe the decree they were able to get Darius to sign.

5. Was Darius fully aware of the consequence of the decree?

6. Did Daniel pray openly out of spite?

7. What sentence was given Daniel because of his disobedience?

8. What did Darius tell Daniel as he was cast into the den of lions?

9. How was Daniel able to survive the night in such a deadly situation?

10. What did Darius do to those who had accused Daniel?

19

Daniel 6

Lesson

15

Cyrus’ Decree / Jeshua & Zerubbabel1. Who did Cyrus acknowledge as the force behind his decree to

let Israel return to their land?

2. What was given to those who were going to return?

3. What was the total number of those who returned to Jerusalem with Jeshua and Zerubbabel?

4. In what way did the people give to the treasury for building the house of the Lord?

5. What did Jeshua lead the people in before the work of building the temple began?

6. When did work on the temple begin?

7. What did the people sing when the foundation had been laid?

8. How did those who had seen the first temple react when they saw this new foundation?

20

Ezra 1-3

Lesson

16

Work On The Temple Is Stopped1. Who went to Zerubbabel and asked to help with the work on

the temple?

2. What reasons did they give for wanting to help?

3. Do we know if their claims concerning their service to God were true?

4. What did Zerubbabel and Jeshua tell them?

5. After being told they could not help what did the people of the land do?

6. In the letter to Artaxerxes what were the Jews accused of?

7. What was the king’s response to the letter?

8. Was there any resistance on the part of the Jews to the command given by Artaxerxes?

21

Ezra 4

Lesson

17

22

Haggai Urges The People To Resume and Complete the Temple

1. Ezra 5:1 tells us that Haggai prophesied to the Jews. From Haggai 1:1-11 what was the message?

2. Did work on the temple resume only after all opposition had faded?

3. What did Darius do that Artaxerxes did not?

4. Who supplied the things necessary for completing the temple?

5. What questions are asked in Haggai 2:3

6. **Thought question** Why would Haggai ask, “Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory?” Why this temple and not that temple?

7. When the temple was completed what did the people do?

23

Ezra 5-6Haggai 1-2

Lesson

18

The Future of Israel1. In Zechariah 2:1-2 what did Zechariah see?

2. What was the angel told to run and tell Zechariah?

3. What future blessing are prophesied in 2:10-13?

4. Try to draw what Zechariah saw in 4:2-3? What would olive trees have to do with a lampstand?

5. The visions of Zechariah have related to blessings so far. What seems to be the theme of the visions in chapter 5?

6. What question did the people want Sherezer to ask the priests in the house of the Lord? (7:1-3)

7. What is described in 8:1-8?

24

Zechariah

Lesson

19

Esther – God’s Providential Care1. Why did Ahasuerus want Vashti to be brought before him?

2. What did he do when she refused?

3. Who was Mordecai? How was Esther related to him?

4. What did Mordecai tell Esther not to do?

5. What did Mordecai overhear concerning the king?

6. When Mordecai would not bow or pay homage to Haman what did Haman plan to do?

7. Did Haman or the king know that the decree would affect Esther?

8. What did Mordecai ask Esther to do? Why was she hesitant?

9. What does Mordecai’s response to her refusal tell us about him?

10. What ironic turn of events happen concerning Haman?

25

Esther

Lesson

20

26

Ezra Returns To Jerusalem1. Who was Ezra?

2. How long was Ezra’s journey from Babylon to Jerusalem?

3. There are several remarkable statements in the letter from Artaxerxes to Ezra. List those you find most interesting.

4. How did Ezra react when he heard that the Jews had intermarried with the people of the land?

5. What did Ezra do before dealing with the people?

6. What affect did Ezra’s actions have on the people?

7. What did they have to do in order to make things right with God?

8. Did the fact that they had children by the foreign wives change what they had to do?

27

Ezra

Lesson

21

28

Nehemiah Helps Build Walls1. How did Nehemiah react when he heard about the state of

Jerusalem?

2. How did the king know something was wrong with Nehemiah?

3. What did Nehemiah do before answering the king’s question, “What do you request?”?

4. After surveying the damage and telling the people his plan (2:11-18) what is the people’s response?

5. Rebuilding the walls was a huge task but one they were able to do even in the face of adversity. How were they able to accomplish this great task? (More than one answer)

6. Along with marrying foreigners what other sin had the people slipped back into? (Chapter 5)

7. What did the people do as Ezra read the law?

29

Nehemiah

Lesson

22

8. What did reading the law lead the people to do?

30

Malachi – Still Not Getting It Right1. In the few stories we have read since the remnant returned

from captivity have the people learned the lessons that their captivity should have taught them?

2. What are the first words spoken by the Lord in Malachi?

3. What question do the people ask in response?

4. What problem is addressed in 1:6-14?

5. What warning did God send to the priests in chapter 2?

6. What were the lips of the priests to keep (2:7)?

7. What other sins are addressed again by Malachi?

8. What promise is given in 3:1? Would this be a blessing to all?

9. How were they guilty of robbing God?

10. How could the righteous be distinguished from the wicked?

31

Malachi

Lesson

23