1. TIME.

From the Captivity of Judah, 587 B. C., to the close of Old Testament History, 400 B. C.

2. SCRIPTURE.

To this period belong some of the Psalms, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Ezekiel, Daniel, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi.

3. GOVERNMENT.

The government during this period was External. During this period God put the Israelites under the control of heathen nations to punish them for their disobedience. During their banishment from Palestine they were under the control of the Chaldeans.

4. SUBDIVISIONS.

(1) The Tribes in Bondage.

The two tribes were in bondage at Babylon while ' the ten tribes were in bondage in As. syria. Cyrus, the Persian king who gained control of all the eastern countries, released the Jews and permitted them to return to Palestine in 536 B. C., a period of 70 years having elapsed since the first captivity of Judah in 606 B. C. This period of 70 years was not a period of slavery, as is generally supposed, but they enjoyed many privileges as citizens of that land. This was also a period of reformation under the great prophets, Ezekiel and Daniel, whose duty it was to prepare the hearts of the people for a more spiritual worship so that they might return to their beloved Zion.

(2) The Remnant in Canaan.

Some of the Jews returned to Jerusalem in 536; still there were many scattered through out the different provinces of the world. This gave rise to two classes of Jews—the Jews of Jerusalem, who adhered closely to all the rituals, and the Jews of Dispersion, who were more liberal and were open to advanced thought.

5. EVENTS.

(1) The Captivity of Judah, 587 B. C. — 2 Chron. 36:11-21.

(2) The Return of the Remnant, 536 B. C. — Ezra 1:1-2:1.

(3) The Dedication of Zerubbabel's Temple, 515 B. C. — Ezra 6:15-17.

(4) The Reforms of Ezra, 450 B. C.— Ezra 8:1-10:44.

6. CHIEF CHARACTERS.

(1) Daniel, the self—denying prophet.

(2) Ezekiel, the teacher of captivity,

(3) Ezra, the reformer of the Jews.

(4) Nehemiah, the rebuilder of the walls of Jerusalem.

QUESTIONS.

• What is the sixth period of Old Testament History called?
• What are the opening and closing events?
• What are the dates?
• What Scripture records the history of this period?
• What was the form of government?
• Why was Israel put under the rule of heathen nations?
• What heathen nation first ruled over them?
• What are the subdivisions of this period?
• Where were the Jews in bondage?
• How long were they in Babylon?
• What was the character of their bondage?
• How were they prepared to return to Canaan?
• When did they return?
• What were the two classes of Jews? How did they differ?
• What were the important events during this period?
• Who were the chief characters?
• For what was each noted?