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The Return from Exile under Zerubbabel
The Divine Orchestration: Prophecy and Decree
The return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon, particularly under the leadership of Zerubbabel, stands as a profound testament to the unwavering faithfulness of God and the precision of His prophetic word. For seventy years, the land of Judah lay desolate, a consequence of Israel's persistent disobedience and idolatry, just as the prophet Jeremiah had foretold.
For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.
As the appointed seventy years drew to a close, God, in His sovereign power, moved upon the heart of Cyrus, king of Persia. This was not a random act but a fulfillment of prophecy spoken through Isaiah more than a century before Cyrus's birth, identifying him by name and detailing his role in rebuilding Jerusalem and its temple.
That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
In 538 B.C., Cyrus issued a remarkable decree, recorded in the opening chapter of Ezra, granting the Jewish exiles permission to return to their homeland and rebuild the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. More than mere permission, Cyrus also commanded that resources be provided for their journey and the rebuilding effort, even returning the sacred vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had plundered from Solomon's Temple.
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
This divine orchestration underscores a foundational biblical truth: God is faithful to His promises and sovereign over the affairs of nations and kings to accomplish His purposes.
The Leaders and the Journey Home
Responding to Cyrus's decree and, more importantly, to the stirring of God in their hearts, a remnant of the exiles began the arduous journey back to Judah. The primary leaders of this first wave of returnees were Zerubbabel, a descendant of King David and appointed governor by the Persian king, and Jeshua (also called Joshua), the high priest. Their combined civil and spiritual authority was crucial for the monumental task ahead.
Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city; Which came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
The total number of those who returned was significant, though a minority of the entire Jewish population in exile. Ezra records that approximately 42,360 people, along with their servants and musicians, made the journey, bringing with them their livestock and the precious temple vessels. This return was not merely a physical relocation but a spiritual pilgrimage, driven by a desire to re-establish the worship of God in their land.
Rebuilding the Altar and Laying the Foundation
Upon their arrival in Jerusalem, the very first act of the returned exiles, under the guidance of Zerubbabel and Jeshua, was to rebuild the altar of God. This immediate priority demonstrated their understanding that proper worship and reconciliation with God were paramount, even before the temple structure itself could be erected. Despite lingering fear of the surrounding peoples, they established the altar and resumed the daily burnt offerings according to the Law of Moses.
Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening.
After celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles and gathering resources, they began the arduous task of laying the foundation of the new temple. This was a momentous occasion, marked by both great joy and profound sorrow. The younger generation, who had never seen the glory of Solomon's Temple, shouted with exultation at the sight of the new foundation. However, the elders, who remembered the magnificence of the former house, wept bitterly, recognizing the diminished scale and glory of what was being built.
And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. 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. But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
This mixed reaction highlighted the emotional weight of their history and the challenging reality of rebuilding amidst the ruins of the past.
The Onset of Opposition and Discouragement
The initial progress was soon met with fierce opposition. The "adversaries of Judah and Benjamin," primarily the Samaritans (a mixed people who had settled in the land after the Assyrian conquest), sought to hinder the work. Initially, they offered to help, claiming a shared desire to worship God. However, Zerubbabel and Jeshua wisely refused their assistance, recognizing that their motives were impure and their worship syncretistic.
Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel; Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.
When their offer was rejected, these adversaries resorted to intimidation, false accusations, and political maneuvering. They hired counselors to frustrate the work and wrote letters to successive Persian kings, falsely accusing the Jews of rebellion and warning that a rebuilt Jerusalem would diminish the king's revenue and authority. Their persistent efforts eventually succeeded in halting the construction during the reign of Artaxerxes.
Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
For sixteen long years, the temple lay unfinished, a stark reminder of the challenges and discouragement that can derail God's work when faith wavers and external pressures mount. The people, instead of focusing on the temple, turned their attention to building and decorating their own houses.
Prophetic Intervention and Renewed Zeal
God, in His mercy, did not abandon His people. After years of silence, He raised up two powerful prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, to stir the people and their leaders to action. Haggai delivered sharp rebukes, questioning their priorities and linking their lack of prosperity to their neglect of God's house.
Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.
Zechariah, through visions and encouraging words, emphasized God's presence and power, particularly to Zerubbabel, reminding him that the work would be completed not by human strength but by divine enablement.
Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.
The prophetic word had its intended effect. Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the remnant of the people responded in obedience, resuming the work on the temple with renewed zeal and determination, despite the continued opposition from their adversaries.
The Completion and Dedication of the Temple
Under the reign of Darius I Hystaspes, the work on the temple progressed steadily. When the local Persian governors questioned their authority, Zerubbabel and Jeshua appealed to the original decree of Cyrus. A search was made, and the decree was found in the archives at Ecbatana, confirming the Jews' right to rebuild and even commanding that royal funds be used to assist them.
And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
Finally, in the sixth year of Darius's reign (516 B.C.), exactly seventy years after its destruction, the Second Temple was completed. The dedication was a joyous occasion, celebrated with sacrifices and the setting of the priests and Levites in their divisions for the service of God.
And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy,
This completion marked a significant milestone in Israel's history, signifying the restoration of proper worship and the re-establishment of their national identity in the promised land.
Enduring Lessons from the Return
The return from exile under Zerubbabel offers timeless spiritual lessons for believers today:
- God's Unwavering Faithfulness: The entire narrative is a testament to God's covenant faithfulness. He keeps His promises, even when His people fail, fulfilling His word through prophets and sovereignly moving kings.
- The Importance of Spiritual Leadership: Zerubbabel and Jeshua's leadership, guided by God's Spirit and word, was crucial in mobilizing the people and overcoming obstacles.
- The Reality of Opposition: God's work will always face opposition, both internal (discouragement, misplaced priorities) and external (persecution, false accusations).
- The Power of God's Word: The prophetic ministries of Haggai and Zechariah demonstrate that God's Word, delivered through His chosen messengers, can reignite zeal, correct priorities, and empower His people to complete His work.
- Prioritizing God's House: The rebuke to the people for dwelling in "cieled houses" while God's house lay waste serves as a powerful reminder for believers to prioritize God's kingdom and His glory above personal comfort and gain.
- Divine Enablement: Zechariah's message, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit," is a foundational truth. God's work is accomplished not by human strength or resources alone, but by the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.
The return under Zerubbabel was a physical restoration, but it also pointed to a greater spiritual reality. The Second Temple, though lacking the glory of the first, foreshadowed the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would be the true Temple, the dwelling place of God among men (John 2:19-21). The return from exile is a powerful reminder that God is always at work, fulfilling His redemptive plan, and calling His people to faithful obedience in building His kingdom.
This article was generated by AI to serve as a helpful starting point for study. The Scriptures are always the ultimate guide. Explore them directly on our Study page.
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