Page 83 - Biblical Backgrounds student textbook

5:1–5). Nehemiah demanded that the wealthy forgive the debts and restore what they had taken. This
122
they agreed to do.”

God’s Restoration of His people

There were mainly two contingents of Jews returning to Judah. One under Zerubbabel in 539 BCE,
immediately following Cyrus’ decree. Another one under Ezra in the seventh year of Artaxerxes I or 458
BCE (Ezra 7:1, 8). Those who returned to Judah were the ones God “stirred up” (Ezra 1:5) to do so. Those
who remained generously helped finance the venture (Ezra 1:6). King Cyrus for his part sent along 5,400
gold and silver articles that Nebuchadnezzar confiscated from the temple of Solomon (Ezra 1:11).
The Jewish people undertook quite remarkable reforms upon returning to the land. When the exiles
reached Jerusalem, they gathered with great unity (as “one man,” Ezra 3:1) to rebuild the altar of
sacrifice and correctly offer on it the sacrifices prescribed in the Law and to keep the Feast of
Tabernacles. Then, they laid the foundation for the rebuilt temple (Ezra 3:6–13). Intense opposition
arose from surrounding people groups, which heavily discouraged the Jews and caused them to stop the
work (Ezra 4:1–5). Faithful prophets, among them Haggai and Zechariah, constantly urged the people to
continue with the work (Haggai 1:1; Zechariah 1:1; Ezra 5:1–2). Meanwhile the Jewish leaders countered
opposition by seeking audience with Darius regarding Cyrus’ decree. Darius honored the decree and
even funded the remainder of the project (Ezra 6:1–15). The temple was completed in 515 BCE”

Even though the Temple was completed, for some years the city was without walls, a situation described
in Nehemiah 1:3 as shameful and troublesome. Apparently, the returning Jews were subjected to
mockery by those around them. Jehovah raised Nehemiah and others to successfully rebuild the walls of
Jerusalem. Through their determination and dedication, they triumphed over fierce opposition. The
faithfulness of God is seen not only in the raising of dedicated leaders but also in meeting the needs.
Through another Persian king Artaxerxes, building materials for the wall of Jerusalem were supplied
(Nehemiah 2:17-20).

Meanwhile, the leaders also continuously called for renewal and reformation in the personal spiritual
lives of God’s people. For example, under Nehemiah’s leadership they renewed the covenant to keep
the Law of Moses and adequately support the cost of maintaining the temple and the whole worship
system of Israel (Nehemiah 9:38).

The renewal of the covenant also involved a pledge not to marry into pagan families of the land. The
prohibition against mixed marriages had nothing to do with racial purity or racial snobbery. Its intent
was to prevent the true faith from being submerged in a sea of idolatry, as Exodus 34:12–16 clearly
demonstrates. We find that the problem continued in Ezra 9–10; Nehemiah 10:30; 13:23–28. However,
it is noteworthy that the people responded to Ezra and Nehemiah, and the practice seems to greatly
123
reduce over time.

122 Ibid., p. 342.

123 Vos, H. F. (1999). Nelson’s new illustrated Bible manners & customs: how the people of the Bible really lived (p.
334). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson Publishers.

82