ah's
plan of work in rebuilding the temple. (8) The traits of character
displayed by Vashti, Mordecai, Esther and Haman. (9) The Spirit of the
return. Compare with the story of Ezra. Is. ch. 40, 48:20-21; Dan.
9:20; Ps. 137. Point out (a) the religious impulse, (b) the national
pride, (c) the local attractions. (10) The rebuilding of the temple
and of the wall. (11) The different sins rebuked by Malachi. (12) The
kings of Babylon since Nebuchadnezzar, (b) [sic] The feast of
Belshazzar, Dan. ch. 5, (c) The conquering of Babylon, (d)
Organization of the kingdom under Darius, Dan. ch. 6, and of
Ahasuerus, Esth.

Chapter XVII.

From Malachi to The Birth of Christ.

No Scripture.

The Close of the Old Testament History. We now come to the close of
Old Testament history and prophecy. Ezra and Nehemiah were at
Jerusalem, one the governor and the other the priest of the people.
Jerusalem and the temple had been restored and the worship of Jehovah
re-established. This was about 445 B. C. and Judea was still under
Persian rule. From this date to the opening of New Testament history,
a period of about four hundred years, there are no inspired records.
Neither prophet nor inspired historian is found among the Jews and
there is no further development of revealed religion. It was, however,
a period of vast importance and the history of the chosen people may
be traced from secular sources. For convenience the history of the
period may be divided into four sections: (1) The Persian Period. (2)
The Greek Period. (3) The Period of Independence. (4) The Roman
Period.

The Persian Period. The Persians continued their rule over Judea a
little more than one hundred years after the close of Old Testament
history. But in 332 B. C. Alexander the Great was enthroned over the
monarchy, then under Darius, and inaugurated the era of Grecian
supremacy. During this period, however, little happened in Palestine
that was of much interest.

Under the Rule of the Greek Kings. Alexander the Great seemed to have
formed a good opinion of the Jews and granted them many special
favors. He regarded them as good citizens and gave them privileges as
first class citizens of Alexandria and encouraged them to settle
throughout his empire. Upon his death his kingdom was broken up into
four kingdoms (Macedonia, Thrace. Syria and Egypt) and Judea was
alternately under the rule of Syria and Egypt. All Palestine was
permeated with the influence of the Gr