Define “prose”.  Define “historical narrative”.  What is the relationship between historical narrative and prose form?  What is the purpose of Biblical historical narrative?

How is the form of prose different than the form of poetry?  What is the difference in terms of line length?  Parallelism of members?  Literary devices?

How is the content of prose different than the content of poetry?  What is the difference in terms of selectivity?  Figurative language?  The Stage?  Time Frame?

How is OT historical narrative related to Howards three definitions of the English word “history”?

How is history related to that which is “socially significant”?

According to the definitions, what is the intent of history?

What does it mean that history is selective?

Restate the main idea of “history as ‘the facts’” and “history as the record of the facts” in your own words.

What access do we have to history as “the facts”?

According to Howard, what are the benefits of studying the Bible historically?  What are the dangers of a purely “historical” study of the Bible?

Define “historicity”.  Why is it important for the Bible?

According to Howard, did God reveal Himself through historical events?  Did God reveal Himself primarily through historical events?  What is needed to understand the significance of God’s revelation through historical events?  How do we have access to God’s revelation through historical events?

According to Howard, if you could choose, which would be a better access to God’s revelation of Himself – to transport back in time to eyewitness the historical events; to independently investigate the events through what is available historically/archeologically/etc.; or to read the Scriptural account of the events?  Do you agree?  Why or why not?

What is the point Howard makes in using the terms “evidence” and “inquiry”?  Why is that important?

Do the biases of the historian have an effect on the history?  What kind(s) of effect(s) can the biases produce?  Is this a help or hindrance to history?  Why or why not?

What is the point of the discussion on historie and geshichte?  How does that apply to your own study of the Historical Books?

What is typically the most important source for historians?  Describe its two categories in your own words.

What are “material remains”?  How are they helpful for writing history?

What does Howard mean by “tradition”?  How is it helpful for writing history?  What is our most reliable access to these traditions?

Define “story” in your own words.  What does this label tell about the truthfulness of the story that is told?

Describe each of Howard’s 11 Characteristics of Historical Narrative in your own words.

What is the relation between the Biblical history being artist and entertaining with its historical accuracy?

How should the anthological character of Biblical History influence the way we read it and apply its teaching?

What is the relation between the Biblical history being Revelatory, Response-evoking, and Theological?

What does Howard mean by “internal elements” and “external elements”?  What is the difference between them?

What is the distinction between the author, the implied author and the narrator?  What difference does it make for our reading of the Biblical history?

What is the distinction between the reader, the implied reader and the narratee?  What difference does it make for our reading of the Biblical history?

Describe each of the five possible points of view in your own words.

Describe “plot” in your own words.  What are the fundamental characteristics of plot?

What is the primary “window into the inner life of characters”?  How does this show us their character?

What is the difference between a “full-fledged” character, a “type” and an “agent”?

Describe the types of settings in your own words.  How can these settings contribute to our understanding of the Biblical history?

Describe each of the stylistic devices in your own words.

How does repetition function in Biblical Narrative?

Describe the function of irony in the Historical Books.

According to Howard, what is necessary to “complete” the task of interpreting narratives?

What things does Howard promise to cover in the rest of the book?

What does Joshua’s name mean?

How does Joshua compare to Moses, according to Howard?

Who wrote the book of Joshua?  What are the arguments for various people being the author?  Did Joshua himself write at least part of the contents?

What does the formula “until this day” tell us about the date when Joshua was written?

What is the purpose of Joshua in terms of telling Israel’s history?

What is the purpose of Joshua in terms of telling of God’s character?

How is Joshua related to the promises given to Abraham?

How does Joshua speak to Jews in the Babylonian exile?

How does Joshua speak to modern Christians?

What is the problem of dating Joshua?  What has caused this problem?  What are the two best solutions and the evidence for each?

Which view of dating does Howard follow?  Why?  Do you agree?  Why or why not?

Describe each of the models of Israel’s entrance into Canaan.  Which model is most faithful to the Biblical teaching?  Which one does Howard support and why?  Do you agree?  Why or why not?

Describe the social, political and economic situation in Canaan at the time of the conquest.  What does the international political situation at this time tell about God’s providence?

How is the Book of Joshua related to Deuteronomy?  What are the connections between the two?

Define “Hexateuch”.  Does Howard think this is a good concept?  Why or why not?

Define “Deuteronomistic History”.  What are the strengths and weaknesses of this proposal?

How is Joshua related to the Pentateuch?  In what ways is Joshua different from the Pentateuch in terms of its place in the canon?

In what sense is Joshua a prophetic book?

What is the problem of the destruction of the Canaanites that Howard describes?  How does he answer that problem?  Do you agree?  Why or why not?

What is the problem of Rahab’s lie?  Which possible solution do you think is best and why?

How would you answer someone who claims the archeology of Jericho disproves the Bible?

What are the different issues involved in understanding the “long day” in Joshua?  What do you think is the most likely explanation and why?

What are the four theological themes that Howard highlights in this chapter?

What point does Howard make about the ownership of the Promised Land?

What is key to the continued possession of the Promised Land by the Israelites?

Describe the idea of “rest” in Joshua.  How is this theme played out in the rest of the Bible?

What part does the idea of the covenant play in Joshua? 

How does Howard define the idea of holiness?  How is this shown in Joshua?

What events in Joshua ch. 5 illustrate the idea of holiness?  How? What point does Howard make about the relationship between the preparation and the conquest?

How is the idea of dedication related to the idea of holiness?

Define “Herem”.  How is this concept manifest in Joshua?  What does it teach about the character of God?

What is the title of Judges?  What is it named after?

Who is the author of Judges?

What are the possible dates of composition and evidence used to argue for the various dates?

What are the four sections of Judges?  What is the general content of each?

What does Howard say is the key to understanding the message of the book?

Describe the twofold purpose of Judges in your own words.

How does telling the final stories out of chronological order reinforce the point?

Who is the true hero of Judges?  How is this shown?

How is judges related to Joshua, I Samuel, and Ruth?

Approximately what period does the book of Judges cover?

What is the problem of the chronology of Judges?  What is the generally agreed-upon solution?

What happened in the transition to the Iron age in Palestine?  What does this tell us about Judges?

What technological advances took place in this time period?  How did they affect life in this day?

Describe the Philistines.

What archeological evidence supports the Biblical record about the relation between Israel and the Philistines?

What was attractive about the Canaanite religion and culture that proved to be a snare to the Israelites?

What provided the greatest threat to Israel in this period?

What was the temptation of Canaanite religions for Israel?

Describe the 5 Canaanite gods.  Which one was the most powerful?

Describe Noth’s proposed organizational structure of Israel.  Does Howard agree with this idea?  Why or why not?

Does Howard think the organization of Israel is a major concern of the book of Judges?  Why or why not?

What is the primary function of judges?  What other function(s) do they sometimes perform?

According to Howard, what is the main difference between the major and minor judges?

What are the two issues raised about the placement and function of 1:1-2:5?

What does the book of Judges say is the reason the conquest was incomplete?

How does Judges begin?  What significance does Howard find in this?

How does Howard suggest we solve the apparent problem of the complete conquest in Joshua 10 with the incomplete conquest in Judges 1?

What problem does Howard see with Judges 2:6-10?  How does he suggest the problem should be solved?  Do you agree?  Why or why not?

What does Judges teach us about the Angel of the Lord?  How do people typically respond to the Angel of the Lord in Judges?  What are the three possibilities for the identity of the Angel of the Lord?  What is the evidence for each possibility?

What is the problem of Jephthah’s vow?  How does Howard suggest the problem should be solved?  Do you agree?  Why or why not?

How is the themes of the land different in Judges that it was in Joshua?  What is the point of this change?

How is the theme of apostasy shown in the book of Judges?

What does Howard suggest is the reason for God’s faithfulness?  What is the connection between God’s faithfulness and Israel’s repentance?  Does God’s faithfulness protect them from consequences for their sin?

How is God’s faithfulness contrasted with the Judges?

How are the judges contrasted with later Kings of Israel?

Describe the ways that Judges prepares the reader for the Kingship in your own words.

What is the point of the repeated refrain about Israel having no king?

What does Gideon’s story tell about the Kingship of Israel?  Does it argue against the institution of Kingship? 

What does the narrative of Abimelech tell us about God’s ideal for Kingship?

How does Howard describe Ruth?

What are the suggestions for authorship given?  What are the reasons for each suggestion?

What consensus does Howard mention about the date of composition?  Do you think this is reasonable?  Why or why not?

You may ignore this section

Why do some argue that Ruth was not originally a unified document?

Does Howard argue for or against the unity of Ruth?  Why or why not?

What are the various possibilities that have been suggested for the purpose of Ruth?  Which does Howard claim to be the best?  Do you agree?  Why or why not?

Where is Ruth placed in the Hebrew Bible?  What is its relation to the book of Proverbs in this arrangement?

Where is Ruth place in the Septuagint and most English Bibles?  Why is it placed there?

When did the events of Ruth take place? 

Who were the Moabites and what was their relation to the Israelites in the Old Testament period?  What was the religion of the Moabites?

Describe the concepts of ‘levitate’ marriage and redemption of property in your own words.  Where did these customs come from?

How are God’s sovereignty and steadfast nature shown in the Book of Ruth?

What do you learn from God’s continual acting in the Book of Ruth?  How does this apply to your life?

How are God’s presence and action typically shown in Ruth?  How does this apply to your life?

How is Ruth related to the promise given to Abraham?

How does Ruth speak about the Monarchy?

Summarize each section in your own words.  What is the author of Ruth highlighting by the way he tells the story?  What does each section tell about God – His character, His plan and how He works it out through Israel’s history (including Ruth’s part in it)?

What does Howard highlight about the setting of Ruth and Naomi’s return from Moab (hint: when did it happen?)?

What point does Howard make about the ‘coincidences’ in Ruth?  How does that apply to your life?

What does the author highlight about the character of Ruth?  The character of Boaz?

How does the last section contribute to the book of Ruth?  How does it connect Ruth with the rest of the Old Testament?

Who are the books of Samuel named after (yes, I know it is a dumb question, but I am trying to draw your attention to the content of the textbook)?  What is the influence that this person had in Israel’s history?

Were the Books of Samuel originally one book that was divided in two?  Why were they divided?  Why were they divided at the place in the story where they were?

Who does the Talmud tradition suggest was the author of Samuel?  Do you think that is a good suggestion?  Why or why not?

What characteristic of the author does Howard mention in connection with the literary attention to detail?  Do you agree? 

What is the final conclusion that Howard makes about the authorship of the Books of Samuel?

What are the two ‘sources’ proposed by Wellhausen?  Does Howard think this is the best explanation of the text?  Why or why not?

According to Howard, what do scholars tend to ignore in dealing with hypothetical sources?

What are the two steps of composition that Howard mentions?  When does he suggest is the best explanation for when these took place?

Read this section and feel free to bring any questions that you have to class.

What are the aspects of the monarchy that the Books of Samuel detail?

What is the climax of the Books of Samuel?

What is the evaluation of David by the author of Samuel?  How does he compare with Saul?  How do David’s shortcomings contribute to the message of the books?

What is the point Howard makes in connecting the prophets with the kings?  How does this compare to what you have learned from Deuteronomy?

When did the events of I and 2 Samuel take place?

How do scholars figure out dates of Biblical events?  How certain are these dates?

Describe the characteristics of the Early Iron Age.

When did the period of the judges end? 

Who were the major enemy of Israel during this period?  Which Israelite leaders fought against them?  Who was the leader who finally defeated them?

How was the context of 2 Samuel different from 1 Samuel?  How was it the same?

How did David organize his administration?

According to Howard, what is prophecy?  How is it seen in the Books of Samuel?  How is it different from the phenomenon in other Ancient Near East countries?

What human activities are often connected with and empowered by the Spirit of the Lord?

What does Howard teach about the evil spirit from the Lord?  Why did God send this spirit upon individuals?

According to Howard, what does Samuel mean when it talks about God ‘repenting’?  How do the different uses of this term fit together?  How do the terms ‘anthropomorphic’ and ‘anthropopathic’ help to understand this reality?

How does the Book of Ruth prepare for the Books of Samuel?

How is the Books of Samuel connected with the ending of the Book of Judges?

What does the Books of Samuel teach about the Monarchy?  Was Israel’s request for a   king wrong?  Why or why not?

How does God relate to Israel’s kingship?  What about David is highlighted in the Deuteronomistic History?

What precisely was the problem with Israel’s request for a king?

What is the “Davidic covenant”?  What are the four elements of which it consists?  What type of covenant does Howard label it?  What does this mean?

In what respects was David important?  Which does Howard highlight as most significant?

In what ways is the Davidic covenant important in later Scriptures?  Who is the ultimate fulfillment of this covenant?

Where is monarchy first mentioned in the Books of Samuel?  What two things about Hannah’s prayer does Howard highlight?  What significance does he draw from these?

How does the ending of the Books of Samuel highlight the author’s theological emphasis?  What significance does Howard find in this?

How are the effects of sin seen in the lives of Eli, Samuel, Saul, and David?  What point does Howard draw from this?

How is God’s sovereignty demonstrated in the Books of Samuel?

What is the relationship between 1&2 Kings?  What does the various titles tell us about the relationship between the Books of Kings and the Books of Samuel?

How are the Books of Kings related to the Latter Prophets?

Who is the author that tradition assigns to the Books of Kings?

What is the last event recorded in Kings?  What does it tell us about the date when the books were written?

What are the dates covered by the Books of Kings?  How long is the period covered?

What is the purpose of Kings according to Martin Noth?  Do you agree or disagree?

What does Howard take into account to determine the purpose of Kings?  How does this modify Noth’s suggestion?

How is Kings forward looking in its purpose?

What are the three issues that Howard discusses in this section?

What are the sources that are named in Kings?  What do these sources contain, according to Howard?  How does the author use these sources?

What Kings and Prophets get special emphasis in Kings?  

According to Howard, what should be the ultimate focus of anyone interested in the message of the Scriptures?

What is the typical pattern that serves as the framework for Kings?  What are the items in each section of the pattern?

What was the typical verdict of the Kings of Israel?  What was the typical verdict of the Kings of Judah?

Where does Howard suggest the theological evaluation came from? 

Describe each of Howard’s four implications of the framework’s pattern in your own words.

What are the basic themes of the Deuteronomistic History, according to Noth?

What are the two main criticisms of Noth’s explanation?  Do you agree?  Why or why not?  What does this tell us about the nature and purpose of the Books of Kings?

What are the strengths of the idea that the Deuteronomistic history is a large, unified composition?  What are the deficiencies of this approach?

What is Howard’s conclusion about the theory of a Deuteronomistic history?  What is Howard’s conclusion about the authorship of the Books of Kings?  Do you agree? 

Explain the two levels of studying the chronological data in your own words.

Describe the difference between relative and absolute dating.

What kind of difficulties are there with the chronological data of the Books of Kings?  What kinds of solutions does Howard suggest?  What are the strengths of Thiele’s approach?

Describe the differences between the Kings of Israel and Judah?  How does Howard explain the same number of kings over time periods covering a difference of 135 years?  What does this tell us about the two kingdoms?

Memorize the chart on p. 213. Just kidding.

Which king is the standard of iniquity for the Northern Kingdom?

Which kings of the Southern Kingdom are evaluated as good?

What are the unique titles in Kings used for the prophets?  What do each of these terms tell us about the prophets?

What is the basic idea behind the word “prophet”?  How do Moses and Aaron illustrate this? 

Describe each of the characteristics and functions of the prophets in your own words.

Define “foretelling” and “forthtelling”.  What do these terms tell us about the prophets?

When in the history of Israel did most of the prophets do their work?

What does Howard mean by the terms “Court prophets”, “Prophetic groups”, and “Writing prophets”?

Were the court prophets true or false prophets?

What was Elijah’s main activity and who was/were his main opponent(s)?

According to Howard, what was the point of describing all of Elisha’s miraculous activity?

What point does Howard make about the historical context of Elijah and Elisha?

What are the three times (clusters) of miracles in the Bible?  What do these have in common?  What does this tell us about the ministries of Elijah and Elisha?

What is the moral problem raised by the story of the “lying spirit”?  What two points does Howard make in response?  Do you agree?

What does Howard mean by the terms “spiritual fortunes” and “political fortunes”?  How are they related?

How does the Books of Kings communicate God’s grace and hope for the future (even in difficult times)?

What does Howard mean by the terms “conditionality” and “unconditionality”?  How is this shown in the Books of Kings?  What will ultimately happen with regard to the promises given to David?

What two kings are praised most highly in the Books of Kings?  Why?

What functions of the prophet does Howard highlight in this section?

The prophets condemned the kings for what reason?

In what way is the author of the Books of Kings acting as a prophet?

What is the standard by which the individual kings were evaluated?

In what ways is judgment seen in the Books of Kings?  Why does judgment come on Israel in each case?

Which passages highlight the idea of repentance?  How is this connected to God’s graciousness?

What relation did Israel have with the great international powers in the time of the first kings?  What relation did Solomon have with the surrounding nations?

Which nations did Israel and Judah have relations with during the time of 1&2 Kings?

What is the location of the Phoenicians?  Describe the religion of the Phoenicians.  What are the Phoenicians best known for?

What do the Phoenicians contribute to Israelite life in the time of David and Solomon?  In the time of Ahab?

What is the location of the Moabites?  What is their relation to Israel? 

Describe the relations between Israel and the Moabites.

What is the location of the Edomites?  What is their relation to Israel?

Describe the relations between Israel and the Edomites.

What is the location of Aram?  What does Howard mention about their language?

How do the Arameans contribute to the stories of Saul and David?  Of the later kings of Israel?

How much influence did Egypt have during the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah?

Who was Shalmaneser III and what did he contribute to the Biblical story?

Who was Tiglath Pileser III and what did he contribute to the Biblical story?

What significant event in Biblical history did Shalmaneser V do?

What significant event in Biblical history did Sennacherib do?

What was the international scene like during Josiah’s reign and reforms?

Who was Neco II and what did he contribute to the Biblical story?

What was the impact of the battle of Carchemesh on the Biblical story?

Who was Nebuchadnezzar and what did he contribute to the Biblical story?

Why are there not more Hebrew texts from the period of the Kings existing today?

What is the significance of each of the Hebrew texts that still remain?

What Biblical story does the Moabite Stone tell about?  What does it confirm about the Biblical account?  What questions and/or problems does it raise?

What Biblical story does Sennacherib’s Annals tell about?  What does it confirm about the Biblical account?  What questions and/or problems does it raise?

What evaluation does Howard give about the historical value of the Book of Tobit?

What part did David play in building/establishing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital?

What part did Solomon play in building/establishing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital?

Describe the material, construction, floor-plan, and furnishings of the temple.

Which kings contributed to the upkeep and repair of Jerusalem and the temple?  What work did they do?

How does the Book of Kings emphasize the spiritual importance of Jerusalem?

What spiritual realities is Jerusalem a symbol pointing toward?  What does it mean for Jerusalem to be the place where God would place His Name?

What is the meaning of the earliest known title for these books?  What does it tell us about these books?  Does Howard think that title is appropriate?  Why or why not?

What is the Hebrew title of these books?  What does it tell us about these books?

Where are the Books of Chronicles placed in the Septuagint and Protestant canons?  Why are they placed there?

Where are these books placed in the Hebrew canon?  What possible reasons are given for this placement?  Which do you think is most probable?  Why?

How does Jesus indirectly testify that He knew the Hebrew order of the canon?

Who are the possible candidates suggested as the author of these books? 

What conclusion does Howard reach about authorship?

What time period do the Books of Chronicles describe?  Where does it begin and end?

What periods are suggested as the date of composition of Chronicles?  What date does Howard think is most probable and why?

What is the purpose of these books, according to Howard?

What specific emphases do these books have?  What do you think is the significance of these emphases for the purpose the author is intending?

Review in your mind what you have learned about the historical/Cultural context from previous chapters.

What evidence does Howard give that Ezra/Nehemiah is closely related to Chronicles and purposely picks up the narrative exactly where the former books ended?

Do you agree with Brad that L. Zunz is a cool name?  Why or why not?

What does the book of I Esdras suggest about the authorship of the Books of Chronicles?

What further arguments are given for common authorship of Ezra/Nehemiah and Chronicles?

What arguments are given against common authorship of Ezra/Nehemiah and Chronicles?

What conclusion does Howard reach about the relationship between Ezra/Nehemiah and Chronicles?  Do you agree?  Why or why not?

What sources do the Books of Chronicles mention?  What important sources do these books not mention?

What are the three categories of sources developed by Howard? 

What point does Howard make in comparing the mention of sources in Chronicles with the mention of sources in Kings?

What point does Howard make about Chronicles including the name “Israel” in the titles of sources?

What are the major sources of the Books of Chronicles, according to Howard?

What point does Howard make from this about the Chronicler’s view of Scripture?

What is the relationship between the hymn sung at the dedication of the ark and various Psalms, according to Howard?

What does Howard mean by “The Chronicler’s Hermeneutic”?

What are the various explanations for the difference between Chronicles and Samuel/Kings?

What does Howard mean when he describes the Chronicler as doing exegesis with his sources?

Describe each of the four categories of techniques the Chronicler uses.

What comparison does Howard point out between Solomon and Joshua in Chronicles? What is the explanation given for the close parallels?

What explanation does Howard give for the different wording in the two accounts of David’s census?  Do you agree?  Why or why not?

Would Howard describe the Chronicler’s work as “inferior” or “unimaginative”?  What evidence does he give for his evaluation?

What time period is covered by the genealogies?

What is the difference between a linear and segmented genealogy?  What is the focus of each of these types?

Describe each of the nine purposes for Biblical genealogies in your own words.

What does it mean for a genealogy to be selective?  What reasons are given for selectivity?

What people, families, or institutions are given emphasis in the genealogies of Chronicles?

What evidence does Howard give that Chronicles emphasizes the unity of all Israel?

Why is it important for the Chronicler to show all tribes to be an indivisible unity?

In what ways does the Chronicler show the importance of the Davidic kingship?

What information about David, which is not shown in Samuel, does Chronicles tell?

What reason is given for the omission of David’s sin?  Do you agree?

Compare and contrast the accounts of the Davidic covenant given in Samuel and Chronicles?  What is the major omission in Chronicles?  Why?

What does Howard mean by “theocratic” perspective?  What does he mean by “eschatological” perspective?  If these were true of the Chronicler, how would each of these perspectives inform and impact the first readers?  What would each mean for the NT and later Christians?  Which does Howard think is the best explanation?  Why?  Do you agree?

In what ways does the Chronicler show an emphasis on and concern for the temple and its ritual?

In what ways was the temple important, according to Howard?

By what standard are the kings evaluated in the Books of Chronicles?

According to Howard, what is the ultimate fulfillment of the promise that David’s son would build a “house” for the Lord?

Describe the idea of “retribution” in your own words.  How is it demonstrated in Chronicles?

Is the Chronicler committed to the idea of retribution to the extent of it being an inviolable law, which holds in every circumstance?  What evidence does Howard give?

What does Howard mean by “Attitudes of the Heart”?  How is this idea seen in Chronicles? 

What is highlighted in this section about Hezekiah’s reign?  What does it tell you about the Chronicler’s evaluation of Hezekiah?

Who prays each of the five major prayers in the Books of Chronicles?  What are the two functions of these prayers?

Describe the content and function of each of the five major prayers in your own words.

What was the Chronicler’s view of Scripture, according to Howard?  What evidence does he give for this?

These two books are named after what?

What is the purpose of these books?

Where do these books occur in modern English Bibles?

Where do they occur in the ancient Hebrew canon?

What evidence does Howard give that these books were originally considered one book?

When were the books divided into two?

What are the books 1 & 2 Esdras?  What are their general contents?

What are the various theories of the authorship of Ezra/Nehemiah and its relationship to Chronicles?  Which view does Howard think is most probable?

What is the relationship of these books to Ezra and Nehemiah themselves?

Describe each of the three major sources of Ezra/Nehemiah.

What are the two categories of the other sources of Ezra/Nehemiah?

What does the composition of Ezra 4 tell us about the contents and help us to understand the contents and history?

What are the dates of the events of these books according to the Biblical data?

Which of these dates have been questioned by scholars?  What are the reasons given against the traditional dates?  What counter arguments are given to these arguments? 

What conclusion does Howard make about the dating of Ezra/Nehemiah?  Do you agree?  Why or why not?

What is the consensus date (approximately) of the final composition of these books?

What are the two general time periods of the events of Ezra/Nehemiah?

Who were the Persians and where did they come from?

Who was Cyrus II and what did he accomplish?  What was Cyrus’s famous decree and what did it mean for the Jews?  How were the Jews impacted by Persian rule in general?

Who was Darius the Mede according to Howard?

Who were the Samarians of Ezra/Nehemiah, and what is their connection with NT Samaritans, according to Howard?

What are the Elephantine Papyri, and what significance do they have for the study of Ezra/Nehemiah?

What did the rebuilt walls provide for Jerusalem?

How big was Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah?

What is Aramaic?  How did it function in the time of Ezra? 

What portions of Scripture were written in Aramaic and why?

Why does Ezra 6:19 return to Hebrew, according to Howard?

How is Ezra described in the Book of Ezra?  What does his genealogy tell us about him?  What are his qualifications that are described?

What does Ezra contribute to the life of Judaism after the exile?

What is the one issue of reformation described in the book of Ezra?  Why was this an issue that needed to be addressed? 

What was Ezra’s reaction?  What can you learn about leadership from this reaction?

What point does Howard make about the ordering of the list of offenders?

What issues of reform did Ezra address in the Book of Nehemiah?

What is Ezra’s primary concern in the “divorce decree”?  How does Howard answer the concerns raised by these issues?

How is Nehemiah described in the Book of Nehemiah?  What are his administrative skills and accomplishments?  What character traits are highlighted?

What issues of reform did Nehemiah address in the Book of Nehemiah?  On what three major occasions did Nehemiah make these reforms?

Describe the main issue in Neh. ch. 5.  How did Nehemiah address this issue?

In what ways did the Jews respond to the covenant commitment ceremony?  How does Nehemiah summarize these responses?  How can these things be applied in analogous ways today?

What is the common reality for all the issues addressed in Nehemiah ch. 13?  How did Nehemiah address these issues? 

How does the conclusion of the book summarize all the reforms?

What symbolic role does David play in the Books of Ezra/Nehemiah?  What about David gets the most emphasis?

What position does Howard take regarding the connection with the Davidic covenant in the Books of Ezra/Nehemiah?  What evidence does he give for this position?  Do you agree?  Why or why not?

What are the options for the identity of Sheshbazzar?  Which option does Howard prefer and why?

How do the Books of Ezra/Nehemiah emphasize that the returning exiles were heir of God’s promises to earlier generations?

What does Howard mean by “second exodus”?  How is it shown in these books?

Why were the returning exiles concerned with faithfulness to the Mosaic law?  How is this concern demonstrated?

How do the lists in Ezra/Nehemiah show the continuity of the people of God?

How do the Books of Ezra/Nehemiah demonstrate the unity of the people?

Why was the purity of the people important in these books?  How does separation contribute to this purity?  How is this shown in these books?

Why was temple worship important for the returning exiles?  How is this concern demonstrated in the Books of Ezra/Nehemiah?

How is the importance of Scripture demonstrated in these books?  How can this be applied in the current church?

What parallel does Howard draw between the public reading of the law and the building of the temple?  What is the significance of this parallel?

What is the significance of understanding the Scriptures in Ezra/Nehemiah?  What role did the Levites play in this?  What significance does this have for current ministry?

How is the importance of prayer demonstrated in the Books of Ezra/Nehemiah?  How does this serve as an example for us?  What insight can be gained especially from the “short prayers”?

How is God’s grace demonstrated in the Books of Ezra/Nehemiah?  How is this connected with God’s sovereign control over all nations?

How does Howard describe Esther?  How would you describe Esther if you were writing this textbook?

What conclusion does Howard make about the authorship of Esther?

What conclusion does Howard make about the date of the composition of Esther?

Where does the Book of Esther appear in the Hebrew Bible?  What is the explanation for this location?

Where does the Book of Esther appear in the English Bible?  What is the explanation for this location?

What reason has been given for doubts about the Canonicity of Esther?

What are the twin themes that Howard mentions as components of the author’s purpose?

When and Where do the events of the Book of Esther take place?

Who was Xerxes (Ahasuerus)?  What did he accomplish?  What did he contribute to history?  What does this tell us about the Book of Esther?

What is the relation between the Jews described in the Books of Ezra/Nehemiah and the Jews described in the Book of Esther?

Describe the points of undisputed historical accuracy of Esther in your own words.

Describe the supposed inaccuracies in your own words.  Summarize Howard’s response to each of these issues?  Are you convinced by Howard’s response?  Why or why not?  What do you conclude about the accuracy of Esther and why?

What does Howard conclude about the additions to the Book of Esther?

What does Howard mean by “providence”?  How is God’s providence shown in Esther?  What similarities does Howard discuss between Joseph and Esther/Mordecai?

How does the mention of fasting contribute to the theology of providence in Esther?

What is the most direct statement of a belief in providence?

What conclusion does Howard reach about the term “another place”?  Do you agree?  Why or why not?

What is the point behind Mordecai using the term “another place”?

What are the “coincidences” that Howard notes in Esther?  What conclusion does he draw from these?

What does Howard mean by the author’s “suppressed references to God”?  What does this tell you about the book of Esther?

What are the various reasons suggested why God is not explicitly mentioned in Esther?

What reason(s) does Howard argue are most convincing?  Why?  What does this tell us about the message and significance of the Book of Esther?

Define “carefully crafted indeterminacy” in your own words.  What does this idea contribute to the message of Esther?  How does it apply to your life?

What does the idea of Royalty contribute to the Book of Esther? 

What parallels does Howard draw between Saul and Mordecai?  What does this tell us about the message of Esther?

What is Purim and how is it connected with the message of Esther?

According to Howard, what is the significance of the “Purim Appendix”?