Lesson
5
The
Return to Jerusalem
IV. The Return
to Jerusalem
The first expedition
to return to Jerusalem took place after the prophetic time period of seventy
years of captivity had expired. This expedition took place about 536 B.C., and
was led by Zerubbabel (Ezra 1-3). He was accompanied by approximately 50,000
Jews. In the second year after their return, they began to rebuild the temple.
This temple was the second Jewish temple and is known as Zerubbabel's Temple. A
third temple known as Herod's Temple was in existence during the time of Jesus.
This was a magnificent and large addition to the restored temple. Other
expeditions took place in about 457 B.C. with Ezra and in about 444 B.C. with
Nehemiah.
A. Opposition
The Jews met with much
opposition from their enemies when trying to rebuild the Temple. This led to discouragement and subsequently to a slow finish of
the Temple. Ezra, the priest, had an understanding of the Word of
God and taught the people. Nehemiah was the king's cupbearer. He went to
Jerusalem and led the people in the rebuilding of the walls of the city.
Nehemiah also aided Ezra in teaching the people the way of the Lord. The
important thing to remember is that the temple and the walls were completed
through the prayerfulness, watchfulness and perseverance of the leaders and
people (Nehemiah 4).
B. The Prophets and
Message of Restoration
This restoration
period is not without its prophets. Such men as Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi
were sent of God to encourage and verbally to chasten the Jews. Haggai, who was
over eighty years old, made the long journey back to Jerusalem and challenged
the people to rise up and build the temple of God (Haggai 1). He told them that
God would make the glory of this house great. The Lord stirred up the spirit of
Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, and Joshua, the high priest, as well as the
people. They all began to work.
C. The Old Testament Ended
The Old Testament life of the Jews seems to be one of
continual backsliding, and such is the case in this restoration period. Again
the people forgot God, the truth and the accuracy of His Word. They forgot the
manifestation of His great power and again fell into apostasy. The Old
Testament study ends with God's chosen people living outside of His wonderful
love. They again become a people who had to live under the authority of nations
more wicked and more powerful than they. They did not hear from their God for
about four hundred years.