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I've moved on now to Esther, which is as easy as any.

You could have done one post since both books were originally one. Yet I look forward to your presentation of Ezra.

But seemingly their deeper devotion still tripped over Israel's classic Stumbling Block of Self-Salvation, as it does even today.

Yes, but in their defense, even the Disciples who walked with Christ for 3 years stumbled with it. It's hardly fair to expect the Scholars at the time of the return from exile to understood it 400 years before Christ was even born.

Now by the time Christ showed up, They, had ample opportunity and time to study the Greek Translated Scriptures to figure it out. Especially since the religious leaders of Christ's time had better access and were much more educated than at any time of their history. They had the writings of the Prophets and the Torah, something very few of Nehamiah's time had. Besides the fact that during the return they were much more preoccupied, mentally and physically, rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple.

even the Disciples who walked with Christ for 3 years stumbled with it

What a dense lot they were: "Well, gollllllly, Christ's atonement even counted for the Gentiles! Whodathunkit?"

Now by the time Christ showed up

Job got it, 2200 years before. Even Isaiah was confused over self-salvation, arguing for it in one breath while extolling grace with the next. Satan always provides a full smorgasboard of preoccupations and excuses: take your pick and help yourself!