Exile and return · Ezra 1–6
The Return from Exile and the New Temple
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, the LORD stirs up the king’s spirit to fulfill the word of Jeremiah. Cyrus issues a decree: let God’s people go up to Jerusalem to rebuild the house of the LORD! He even returns the 5,400 vessels of gold and silver that Nebuchadnezzar had carried away. A company of 42,360 people returns with Zerubbabel and the priest Jeshua. By the seventh month, they rebuild the altar and offer burnt offerings. The following year, the foundation of the temple is laid: the people sing, “for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel,” while the old men who had seen the first temple weep with a loud voice. The enemies of Judah discourage the builders, and the work stops until the reign of Darius. Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah revive the work; Darius confirms Cyrus’s decree. The temple is finished in the sixth year of Darius and dedicated with joy.
What happens
- Cyrus’s decree: rebuild the house of the LORD Ezra 1:1–3
- Zerubbabel and Jeshua rebuild the altar Ezra 3:2–3
- The temple foundation: shouts of joy and weeping Ezra 3:11–12
- Discouraged by their enemies, the work stops Ezra 4:24
- The prophets Haggai and Zechariah revive the work Ezra 5:1–2
- The temple is finished and dedicated with joy Ezra 6:15–16
The lesson
God keeps his promises and even directs the hearts of kings to bring his people home. But his work meets opposition: his Word, carried by the prophets, revives the discouraged so that they finish what they started.
And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.
Quick quiz on this story
Which king of Persia authorizes the exiles to return and rebuild the temple?
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, the LORD stirred up his spirit, and he made a proclamation throughout his kingdom to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem. Ezra 1:1–3
Along with the priest Jeshua, who rebuilds the altar of the God of Israel in Jerusalem?
Jeshua the son of Jozadak and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel stood up with their brethren and built the altar to offer burnt offerings on it. Ezra 3:2
Who weeps with a loud voice as the foundation of the temple is laid?
The older priests, Levites, and heads of families, “that had seen the first house,” wept with a loud voice, while many others shouted aloud for joy. Ezra 3:12
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