The Return from Exile
The book of Ezra opens at a pivotal moment in Israel's history. After seventy years of Babylonian captivity, God moved the heart of Cyrus, king of Persia (who had conquered Babylon), to allow the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.
This decree, issued in 538 BC, fulfilled Jeremiah's prophecy that the exile would last seventy years (Jeremiah 29:10).
The first group of returning exiles was led by Zerubbabel, a descendant of David, and Joshua, the high priest. They faced the enormous task of rebuilding their community and restoring proper worship in a city that lay in ruins.
Their return was not merely a geographical relocation but a spiritual journey back to covenant relationship with God.
Ezra 1:1-3 (NIV):
"In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing: 'This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: "The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them."'"
Laying the Foundation
Upon arriving in Jerusalem, the returnees first built an altar to the Lord, reinstating the daily sacrifices even before the temple foundations were laid. This priority demonstrates their understanding that relationship with God must be established before other aspects of community life can flourish.
Ezra 3:2-3 (NIV):
"Then Joshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his associates began to build the altar of the God of Israel to sacrifice burnt offerings on it, in accordance with what is written in the Law of Moses the man of God. Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening sacrifices."
Their fear of the surrounding peoples was justified, as the land had been resettled by various groups during the exile. Yet they refused to let fear prevent them from worshiping God according to His commands. This courage would be tested repeatedly during the rebuilding process.
When the foundation of the temple was finally laid, the people responded with mixed emotions:
Ezra 3:10-13 (NIV):
"When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the Lord, as prescribed by David king of Israel.
With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: 'He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.' And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.
But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy.
No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away."
This poignant scene captures the complex reality of restoration. The younger generation celebrated the new beginning, while those who remembered Solomon's magnificent temple wept, perhaps from nostalgia, perhaps from recognition that this temple would be more modest.
Both responses were authentic expressions of faith—joy in God's faithfulness and grief over what had been lost.
Opposition and Perseverance
Soon after the foundation was laid, the Samaritans and other local residents began to oppose the rebuilding. When their offer to help was rejected (because they worshiped other gods alongside the Lord), they launched a campaign of intimidation and legal obstruction:
Ezra 4:4-5 (NIV):
"Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. They bribed officials to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia."
This opposition proved effective, and the work on the temple stopped for about sixteen years. It was only through the prophetic ministry of Haggai and Zechariah that the people were stirred to resume construction:
Ezra 5:1-2 (NIV):
"Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the prophet, a descendant of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them.
Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jozadak set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, supporting them."
Despite renewed challenges and investigations by Persian officials, Darius affirmed Cyrus's decree, and the temple was finally completed in 516 BC—exactly 70 years after Solomon's temple had been destroyed in 586 BC.
Ezra 6:14-16 (NIV):
"So the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo. They finished building the temple according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia.
The temple was completed on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. Then the people of Israel—the priests, the Levites and the rest of the exiles—celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy."
Lesson:
The story of rebuilding the temple teaches us that spiritual restoration often begins with reestablishing worship and sacrifice. The returning exiles built the altar before anything else, recognizing that their relationship with God was foundational to everything else.
Similarly, when we seek to rebuild areas of our lives after failure or loss, renewed commitment to worship and spiritual disciplines provides the necessary foundation.
This narrative also illustrates that meaningful work for God will inevitably face opposition. The hostility the Jews encountered came in various forms—intimidation, legal maneuvers, and discouragement.
We too should expect resistance when we commit to God's purposes, both from external sources and from our own internal doubts and fears.
Furthermore, the mixed emotions at the temple foundation remind us that renewal often involves both celebration and grief. When God restores what has been broken in our lives or communities, we may celebrate the new while still grieving what was lost. Both responses are valid and can coexist as we process change and transformation.
Finally, the completion of the temple demonstrates the essential role of prophetic encouragement for sustained faithfulness. When the people grew discouraged and the work stalled, God sent Haggai and Zechariah to reignite their passion and vision.
We also need voices that call us back to our commitments and remind us of God's faithfulness when we are tempted to abandon the work He has given us.
Prayer:
Faithful God, like the returned exiles in Jerusalem, we often face the challenge of rebuilding what has been broken in our lives and communities. Give us wisdom to prioritize our relationship with You above all else, establishing the right foundation before attempting to build.
When we face opposition and discouragement, remind us that resistance often accompanies meaningful work for Your kingdom. Grant us courage to continue even when the path is difficult. Help us to honor both the joy of new beginnings and the grief of what has been lost, acknowledging that restoration is rarely a simple process.
Surround us with people who will speak truth and encouragement when our determination falters. Thank You for Your unchanging faithfulness across generations and for Your promise to complete the good work You begin in us. May the temples of our lives and churches be rebuilt according to Your design, for Your glory.
In Your holy name we pray, Amen.