Ezra-Nehemiah: What's the connection all about?

If you flip through a Biblical commentary on the Book of Nehemiah, you read about its connection with the Book of Ezra. Long story short, it is surmised that Ezra and Nehemiah was one cannonical book before it was separated into two books. There is reason to suggest that the books Ezra and Nehemiah have a close relationship. As historical figures, they were contemporaries committed to the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Ezra was a priest and his role surrounded the reestablishment of God's law in God's city. Nehemiah was an administrative person. His energy was focused on rebuilding the walls and gates of Jerusalem. We can consider him the foreman of the entire workforce.

The connection between Ezra and Nehemiah is also exhibited in the literary structure. Ezra 1 and Nehemiah 7 provide similar census reports. Despite slight differences, it is likely they were using the same source.

The linear themes from Ezra 1 through Nehemiah 13 are obvious. There is an overall theological shape between these two books. One scholar has suggested that Ezra-Nehemiah was composed of five "chapters":

1. Ezra 1-6 focuses on on the rebuilding of the temple in the face of opposition.
2. Ezra 7-10 speaks about the second phase of the restoration project with the inclusion of the Law playing a vital part for the community.
3. Nehemiah 1-7 retells the work of God being done through the Persian king while Nehemiah leads the rebuilding of the walls and gates of Jerusalem.
4. Nehemiah 8-12 is a culmination of the the great works that have been done with additional guidance for leading the people in unity.
5. Nehemiah 13 illustrates subsequent setbacks, but also speaks to what has been done and what has yet to be done. (See Theological Interpretation of the Old Testament: A Book-by-Book Survey)

The obvious question comes up: Why have these books been separated? The answer is complicated but the primary reason is that there are two different authors. It is plausible that these contemporaries collaborated in their joint effort to see the temple, the walls, and gate of Jerusalem rebuilt and chronicling these significant events was the next step.

Now here is the twist. Could there have been a third party, a chronicler, who helped connect these two books? It is possible and not unusual. The insert of a third person who acted as an editor (or redactor) does not mean the integrity of these texts are compromised. It simply means that God used someone else to tell the story of restoration of Israel, the rebuilding or the temple, and the rebuilding or the walls and gates.