Page 96 - Biblical Backgrounds

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 an 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. It is
intended 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 have
greatly reduced over time. 140

Laying the Foundation for the Second Temple

Judah’s temple, the house of Yahweh, had remained desolate since its destruction by the Babylonians in
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586 B.C. In the 2 year after the Israelites returned to Jerusalem, Zerubbabel, a descendant of David,
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and Jeshua, the high priest, broke ground to begin construction of the 2 temple at the same location as
the previously destroyed temple. The structure was much smaller than the previous temple of Solomon.
The laying of the foundation was an event of great importance.

The temple had an indispensable theological function to play. It was the very center of God’s presence
in Judah. It was the point where sacrifices were made in response to Yahweh’s gracious choice of Israel
as His people.

140 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.

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