JesusWalk® Publications

Rebuild & Renew
The Post-Exilic Books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi

Rebuild & Renew: The Post-Exilic Books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah, and
Book front cover | back cover

A Disciples' Study of Struggle, Prayer, and Spiritual Renewal

Old Testament history has two primary "watersheds," the Exodus from Egypt and the Exile in Babylon. After the Exile, God brings a remnant of his people back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and experience a true revival of faith. This post-exilic period (537 to 430 BC) is a time of heady victories and crushing defeats. Of noble leaders and polluted priests. Of corruption and cleansing. Of decline and renewal.

In Rebuild and Renew, we study in chronological order the Bible books written in this period -- the historical books of Ezra and Nehemiah, and the minor prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. These books aren't well known among Christians today, but they are chock full of lessons for disciples, designed to help us grow in Christ's image.

We learn how God works through some amazing people.

  • Cyrus, founder of the Persian Empire, whom God moves to free his people and restore Jerusalem.
  • Zerubbabel, governor and grandson of a king, who rebuilds Jerusalem's Temple in the face of great opposition.
  • Joshua, the sinful high priest, reclaimed as "a brand plucked from the fire."
  • Nehemiah, king's cupbearer, who organizes the people to rebuild Jerusalem's walls and gates in 52 remarkable days.
  • Ezra, priest and scribe, whose broken heart and devotion to God spark a genuine Holy Spirit revival.
  • Haggai the prophet, who stirs a discouraged leaders to complete the temple project after a decade of disinterest.
  • Zechariah, a priest-prophet, who sees Jesus from afar as "the one whom they have pierced," a "fountain" to cleanse from sin and impurity, and the Branch.
  • Malachi, whose prophecies challenge shallow faith and inspire those looking forward to the Messenger of the Covenant, writes the final book of the Old Testament.

We also meet the vividly-drawn enemies of God's people -- Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem, the corrupt high priest Eliashib, and a prophet and prophetess who say what they're paid to say.

The books include lessons on why God withholds blessings, and why he restores them, many promises of the coming messiah, the promise of covenant marriage and the dangers of divorce, finding the joy of the Lord as our strength, and much, much more.

This is intended for personal study as well as instruction, presented in ten lessons. Helpful thought and discussion questions make it useful for personal enrichment and by small groups and classes. "Lessons for Disciples" at the conclusion of each section capsulize the spiritual learnings of each passage studied. Extensive research contained in the footnotes makes it a goldmine for teachers and a boon to preachers involved in sermon preparation.

Here is an abbreviated table of contents for the books:

Rebuild & Renew: The Post-Exilic Books (272 pages)
A Bible study in 10 lessons

  • Preface
  • Introduction to the Post-Exilic Period
  1. Returning to Rebuild the Temple (Ezra 1-6)
  2. Realigning Priorities (Haggai 1-2)
  3. Encouragement for the Builders (Zechariah 1-6)
  4. Visions of the Messiah (Zechariah 7-14)
  5. Confession and Repentance (Ezra 7-10)
  6. Nehemiah's Prayer (Nehemiah 1:1-2:8)
  7. Restoring the Wall (Nehemiah 2:9-7:73)
  8. Repentance and Revival (Nehemiah 8-13)
  9. Sincere Sacrifices, Faithful Priests, and the Marriage Covenant (Malachi 1-2)
  10. Tithing and the Day of the Lord (Malachi 3-4)
  • Appendix 1. Participant Handouts
  • Appendix 2. Chronology of the Post-Exilic Period
  • Appendix 3. Main Characters of Ezra and Nehemiah
  • Appendix 4. The Medo-Persian Empire

Detailed Table of Contents

Participant Lesson Handouts (PDF, you may reprint free for each class member)

  rebuild's Gospel: A Discipleship Journey with JesusPaperback format, $18. 95. Length 272 pages. Must be ordered through Amazon.com.  The paperback size is 7.5 in  x 9.25 in.  ISBN: 9798862778946. ASIN: B0CK3K5YHS.

Amazon USA - Canada - UK - Germany - France - Netherlands - Japan - Italy - Mexico - Spain - China - Brazil - Poland - India - Australia
Kindle e-book format

Kindle E-book format, US $8.95. You may purchase this version directly from Amazon USA  or from national sites below. This is read using a your Kindle or a Kindle Reader program installed on your computer, tablet, or phone. It cannot be printed out (Amazon ASIN: B0755N6STL). Amazon USA - Canada - UK - Germany - France - Japan - Mexico - Spain -  Italy -  Netherlands - China  - Brazil - Poland - India - Australia 

 
PDF E-book format, $8.95. You purchase this PDF e-books and can download it within minutes. You can read it on your computer in PDF format if you like, or print out a single copy on your printer, either 8-1/2 x 11" or A4 paper. To make multiple copies, get reprint licenses below. No tax is charged on e-books. PDF e-books are ordered directly from the author at JesusWalk Publications. (Remember: If you plan to print this out, your total cost will be the $8.95 for the PDF plus the cost of printing -- paper, ink, toner, etc.). In some cases the paperback might be a better value.) Available now.

(Place a check in the box to the left of item you select.)

 
Reprint license to make copiesReprint License, $2.50 per copy. This allows you to print additional copies for your own group. Once you've ordered this item, set quantity field for the number of reprints you plan to make and click on "recalculate." One license is required for each additional copy you make beyond the initial book you purchased. This reprint license prohibits sale of the book to individuals outside your local area or congregation. You'll probably want to order a single copy of the e-book also, so you'll have the text from which to reprint. So if you have a group of 6 people, you'll need to order one e-book (for the first reprint) and 5 reprint licenses.

Click the box to the left of the item you are selecting, then click on the green button below.

Copyright © 2025, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor@joyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.

Sign up now!To be notified about future articles, stories, and Bible studies, why don't you subscribe to our free newsletter,The Joyful Heart, by placing your e-mail address in the box below. We respect your privacy and never sell, rent, or loan our lists. Please don't subscribe your friends; let them decide for themselves.
FirstLast
E-mail
Country(2-letter abbreviation, such as US)
Preferred FormatHTML (recommended) Plain text
Jesus' Parables for Disciples, by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
Discipleship for New Believers


In-depth Bible study books

You can purchase one of Dr. Wilson's complete Bible studies in PDF, Kindle, or paperback format -- currently 48 books in the JesusWalk Bible Study Series.

Old Testament

  1. Abraham, Faith of
  2. Jacob, Life of
  3. Moses the Reluctant Leader
  4. Joshua
  5. Gideon
  6. David, Life of
  7. Elijah
  8. Psalms
  9. Solomon
  10. Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134)
  11. Isaiah
  12. 28 Advent Scriptures (Messianic)
  13. Daniel
  14. Rebuild & Renew: Post-Exilic Books

Gospels

  1. Christmas Incarnation (Mt, Lk)
  2. Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5-7)
  3. Luke's Gospel
  4. John's Gospel
  5. Seven Last Words of Christ
  6. Parables
  7. Jesus and the Kingdom of God
  8. Resurrection and Easter Faith
  9. Apostle Peter

Acts

  1. Early Church (Acts 1-12)
  2. Apostle Paul (Acts 11-28)

Pauline Epistles

  1. Romans 5-8 (Christ-Powered Life)
  2. 1 Corinthians
  3. 2 Corinthians
  4. Galatians
  5. Ephesians
  6. Philippians
  7. Colossians, Philemon
  8. 1 & 2 Thessalonians
  9. 1 &2 Timothy, Titus

General Epistles

  1. Hebrews
  2. James
  3. 1 & 2 Peter, Jude
  4. 1, 2, and 3 John

Revelation

  1. Revelation
  2. Conquering Lamb of Revelation

Topical

  1. Glorious Kingdom, The
  2. Grace: Favor for the Undeserving
  3. Great Prayers of the Bible
  4. Holy Spirit, Disciple's Guide
  5. Humility
  6. JesusWalk: Beginning the Journey
  7. Lamb of God
  8. Listening for God's Voice
  9. Lord's Supper: Disciple's Guide
  10. Names and Titles of God
  11. Names and Titles of Jesus

Pastor Ralph Wilson's books are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon.com.
My books are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon.