Ezra

Cyrus king of Persia issues a decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple, fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecy. He even returns the temple vessels Nebuchadnezzar had taken. About 50,000 Jews prepare to return under Sheshbazzar.

A detailed census lists the families, priests, Levites, temple servants, and others who return from Babylon. The total is about 42,360 people plus 7,337 servants. They bring generous freewill offerings for rebuilding the temple.

The altar is rebuilt first, and sacrifices resume before the temple foundation is even laid. When the foundation is finally completed, the people celebrate with praise — but older men who remember Solomon's temple weep at the comparison.

Enemies of Judah offer to help rebuild but are refused. They then oppose the work through intimidation, legal challenges, and letters to the Persian king. The temple construction is halted for years until King Darius's reign.

Encouraged by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, Zerubbabel and Jeshua restart the temple construction. The regional governor questions their authority and writes to King Darius for verification of Cyrus's original decree.

King Darius finds Cyrus's decree and orders the temple rebuilding to continue with full support and funding. The temple is completed and dedicated with joy. The returned exiles celebrate Passover, and God turns the heart of the Assyrian king to help them.

Decades later, Ezra the scribe leads a second group of returnees from Babylon. He is described as a skilled scribe devoted to studying, practicing, and teaching God's Law. King Artaxerxes gives him a generous letter of support and authority.

Ezra lists those who return with him and discovers no Levites among them. He recruits Levites, then calls a fast at the river Ahava rather than requesting a military escort, trusting God for protection. They arrive safely in Jerusalem.

Ezra is horrified to discover that many returnees, including priests and Levites, have married foreign women from the surrounding peoples. He tears his garments and falls on his face in a passionate prayer of confession and repentance on behalf of the people.

The people respond to Ezra's grief with repentance and agree to put away their foreign wives. A process is established to investigate cases over three months. Those who married foreign women are listed, and the marriages are dissolved.