> This week, we delve into the transformative period following the Babylonian exile, focusing on the return to Jerusalem, the monumental task of rebuilding the Temple, and the efforts to reform and revitalize the Jewish community. We will explore the historical and theological significance of this era through key readings from Ezra, Nehemiah, and selected passages from the prophets Haggai and Zechariah.
The Post-Exilic Period
The post-exilic period was a time of significant challenges but also remarkable achievements for the Jewish community. Through the concerted efforts of leaders like Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, and the inspirational messages of prophets like Haggai and Zechariah, the Jews were able to rebuild their Temple, restore their community, and reaffirm their covenantal relationship with God. This week’s lessons and readings offer profound insights into the themes of restoration, leadership, and divine promise that are as relevant today as they were in the post-exilic period.
The Return under Zerubbabel (Ezra 1-6)
– Historical Context
The narrative begins with the decree of Cyrus the Great of Persia, issued in 538 BCE, which allowed the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This decree, seen as a fulfillment of divine prophecy, inspired a group of exiles led by Zerubbabel, a descendant of King David, and Joshua, the high priest, to undertake the journey back to their ancestral land.
Upon their return, one of their first acts was to rebuild the altar of the God of Israel and to reinstitute the sacrificial practices, even as the ruins of the destroyed Temple lay around them. This act of faith was crucial for re-establishing their religious identity and practices. The following year, they laid the foundation of the Second Temple, an event marked by a mix of joyous celebration and poignant lamentation, as the older generation remembered the glory of Solomon’s Temple.
However, the process of rebuilding was not without its challenges. The local inhabitants, who had been settled in the land during the exile, offered to help rebuild the Temple. When their offer was refused, they became adversaries, actively hindering the rebuilding process. This opposition led to a significant delay, exacerbated by political and administrative challenges, until the prophetic ministries of Haggai and Zechariah reignited the efforts. Their prophetic messages encouraged the people and leaders, emphasizing that the success of their work depended on their faithfulness to God.
– Encouragement from Israel’s prophets
Haggai addressed the peoples’ neglect of the Temple rebuilding. Despite their return to Jerusalem, the Jewish community had focused on their own needs, building and tending to their own houses while the Temple remained in ruins. Haggai challenged this attitude, conveying God’s message that their lack of prosperity and the hardships they faced were directly related to their failure to rebuild the Temple.
5 Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”
7 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. 8 Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the Lord.
Haggai 1:5-8
Zechariah’s prophecies not only aim to motivate the people and their leaders, Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the high priest, but also to reaffirm God’s presence, promises, and plans for His people. For example, Zechariah’s vision of the Menorah and the Olive Trees in Zechariah 4 symbolize God’s light, guidance, and presence. This vision, along with the accompanying message of Zechariah 4:6, emphasized that the successful completion of the Temple will not be achieved through human strength or political power but through the Spirit of God.
– Completion of the Second Temple
Finally, under the reign of Darius the Great, the rebuilding efforts resumed with renewed vigor, culminating in the completion of the Second Temple in 516 BCE. The dedication of the Temple and the celebration of the Passover signified the restoration of the religious and communal life of the Jewish people in their land.
The Reforms Initiated by Ezra (Ezra 7-10)
Several decades later, Ezra the scribe led a second group of exiles back to Jerusalem, arriving in 458 BCE. Commissioned by Artaxerxes I of Persia, Ezra was tasked with overseeing the affairs of Judah and Jerusalem according to the laws of God, carrying with him royal decrees that granted him broad authority.
Ezra’s primary concern was the spiritual and moral restoration of the community. Upon his arrival, he was confronted with the issue of intermarriages between the Jewish returnees and the local populations, which was seen as a violation of the covenant and a threat to the community’s purity and identity. This situation prompted Ezra to initiate a series of reforms aimed at renewing the covenant and ensuring the community’s adherence to the Torah.
Ezra’s response was dramatic and uncompromising. He publicly confessed the sins of the people, demonstrating profound grief and repentance. His actions and sincerity moved the community, leading to a public assembly where they agreed to dissolve the intermarriages and reaffirm their commitment to the covenant.
Rebuilding of Jerusalem’s Walls (Nehemiah 2-6)
The story of Nehemiah, serving as the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I of Persia, unfolds a compelling narrative of leadership, determination, and faith, primarily focusing on the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls and the subsequent reforms to restore the social and religious fabric of the Jewish community. Nehemiah’s story is a testament to the power of prayer, the importance of community, and the necessity of adhering to one’s faith and laws.
– Rebuilding of Jerusalem’s Walls (Nehemiah 2-6)
Nehemiah’s journey began with a deep concern for the plight of his fellow Jews in Jerusalem. Upon hearing that the city’s walls lay in ruins, leaving its people vulnerable and disgraced, Nehemiah was moved to tears and turned to fervent prayer, seeking God’s guidance. Recognizing the need for action, Nehemiah courageously approached King Artaxerxes, requesting permission to return to Jerusalem to oversee the rebuilding of its walls. The king, seeing Nehemiah’s sincerity and dedication, granted his request and provided him with the necessary resources.
Upon arriving in Jerusalem in 444 BCE, Nehemiah conducted a covert inspection of the city’s walls to assess the damage. He then rallied the Jewish community, inspiring them with a vision of restoration and protection. Despite facing significant opposition from local adversaries, including ridicule, threats, and attempts to undermine the project, Nehemiah’s leadership and the collective resolve of the people prevailed. Through strategic planning, unwavering faith, and communal effort, the rebuilding of the walls was completed in an astonishing 52 days, a remarkable achievement that underscored God’s hand in their endeavors.
– Nehemiah’s Reforms (Nehemiah 8-13)
With the physical security of Jerusalem addressed, Nehemiah turned his attention to the spiritual and social restoration of the community. He recognized that rebuilding the walls was only part of the solution; the people also needed to rebuild their relationship with God and each other.
One of Nehemiah’s first actions was to gather the people to hear the reading of the Law by Ezra the scribe. This public reading, which sparked a profound sense of repentance and renewal among the people, was followed by the celebration of the Feast of Booths, observed with great joy and faithfulness to the Law for the first time in many years. This event marked a significant moment of communal and spiritual revival.
Nehemiah also addressed economic injustices within the community. He learned that some of the wealthier Jews were exploiting the poor, leading to widespread poverty and even forced slavery. Nehemiah confronted these practices head-on, calling for justice, the cancellation of debts, and the return of lands to their rightful owners. His actions reflected a deep commitment to the principles of the Torah and the well-being of the entire community.
Furthermore, Nehemiah took steps to ensure the spiritual purity of the community. He enforced the observance of the Sabbath, which had been neglected, and took measures to prevent marriages with non-Jews, which were seen as a threat to the community’s covenantal identity. Nehemiah’s efforts to reform the community were not without challenges, but his dedication to God’s Law and his love for his people fueled his perseverance.
The Intertestamental Period
According to Got Questions, the time between the last writings of the Old Testament and the appearance of Christ is known as the “intertestamental” (or “between the testaments”) period. It lasted from the prophet Malachi’s time (about 400 BC) to the preaching of John the Baptist (about AD 25). Because there was no prophetic word from God during the period from Malachi to John, some refer to it as the “400 silent years.” The political, religious, and social atmosphere of Israel changed significantly during this period. Much of what happened was predicted by the prophet Daniel. (See Daniel chapters 2, 7, 8, and 11 and compare to historical events.)
The Following timeline indicates some of the major events during the intertestamental period.
