Month: February 2026

Ezra Arrives in Jerusalem, Ezra Chapter 7

Many years later, during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, there was a man named Ezra (a direct descendant of Aaaron, the high priest). This Ezra was a scribe who was well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given to the people of Israel. He came up to Jerusalem from Babylon, and the king gave him everything he asked for, because of the gracious hand of the Lord his God was on him. Some of the people of Israel, as well as some of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and Temple servants, traveled up to Jerusalem with him in the seventh year os King Artaxeres’ reign.

Ezra returned in Jerusalem in August of that year. He had arranged to leave Babylon on April 8, the first day of the new year, and he arrived at Jerusalem on August 4, for the gracious hand of God was on him. This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those degrees and regulations to the people of Israel. (vv. 1a; 5b; 6-10, NLT)

The Temple’s Dedication, Ezra Chapter 6

Tattenai, governor of the province west of the Euphrates River, and Shethar-bozenai and their colleagues complied at once with the command of King Darius. So the Jewish elders continued their work, and they were greatly encouraged by the preachings of prophets Haggai and Zechariah, son of Iddo. The Temple was finally finished, as had been commanded by the God of Israel and decreed by Cyrus, Darius, and Ataxeres, the kings of Persia. The temple was completed on March 12, during the sixth year of King Darius’s reign.

The Temple of God was then dedicated with great joy by the people of Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the people who had returned from exile. (vv. 13-16, NLT)

Darius Approves the Rebuilding, Ezra Chapter 6

So King Darius issued orders that a search be made in the Babylonian archives, which were stored in the treasure. But it was at the fortress at Ecbantana in the province of Media that a scroll was found. This is what it said:

“Memorandum:

In the first year of King Cyrus’s reign, a decree was sent out concerning the Temple of God at Jerusalem.

Let the the Temple be rebuilt on the site where Jews used to offer their sacrifices, using the original foundations. It height wil be ninety fee. Every three layers of specially prepared stones will be topped by a layer of timber. All of the expenses will be paid by the royal treasury. Furthermore, the gold and silver cups which were taken to Babylon from the Temple of God in Jerusalem must be returned to Jerusalem and put back where they belong. Let them be taken back to the Temple of God.”(vv. 1-5, NLT)

The Rebuilding Resumes, Ezra Chapter 5

At that time the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem. They prophesied in the name of the God of Israel who was over them. Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jehozadak responded by starting again to rebuild the Temple of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets helped them.

But Tattenai, governor of the province west of the Euphrates River, and Shethar-bozeni and their colleagues soon arrived in Jerusalem and asked, “Who gave you permission to rebuild this Temple and restore this structure.?”They also asked for the names of all the men working on the Temple. But because their God was watching over them, the leaders of the Jews were not prevented from building until a report was sent to Darius and he returned his permission. (vv. l1-5, NLT)

Enemies Oppose the Rebuilding, Ezra 4

The enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were rebuilding the Temple to the Lord, the God of Israel. So they approached Zerubbabel and the other leaders and said, “Let us build with you, for wer worship your God just as you do. We have sacrificed to Him ever since King Esarhaddon of Assyria brought us here.”

But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other leaders of Israel replied, “You may have no part in this work We alone will build the Temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, just as King Cyrus of Persia commands us.”

Then the local residents tried to discourage and frighten the people of Judah to keep them from their work. They bribed agents to work against them and to frustrate their plans. This went on during the entire reign of King Cyrus of Persia and lasted until King Darius of Persia took the throne. (vv. 1-5, NLT)

The People Begin to Build the Temple, Ezra Chapter 3

When the builders had completed the foundation of the Lord’s Temple, the priests put on their robes and took their places to blow the trumpets. And the Levites, descendants of Asaph, clashed their cymbals to praise the Lord, just as King David has prescribed. With paise and thanks, they sang this song to the Lord:

“He is good! His faithful love for Israel endures forever!”

Then all the people gave a great shout, praising the Lord because the foundation of the Lord’s Temple had been laid.

But many of the older priests, Levites, and other leaders who had see the first Temple wept aloud when they saw the new Temple’s foundation. The others, however, were shouting for joy. The joyful shouting and weeping mingled together in a loud noice that could be heard far in the distance. (vv. 10-13, NLT)

The Altar is Rebuilt, Ezra Chapter 3

In early autum, when the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people assembled in Jerusalem with a unified purpose. Then Jeshua son of Jehozadak joined his fellow priests and Zerubabel son of Shealtiel with his family in rebuilding the altar of the God of Israel. They wanted to sacrifice burnt offerings on it, as instructed by the Law of Moses, the man of God. Even though the people were afraid of the local residents, they rebuilt the altar at its old site. Then they began to sacrifice burnt offerings on the altar to the Lord each morning and evening.

They celebrated the Festival of Shelters as prescribed by the Law, sacrificing the. number of burnt offerings specified for each day of the festival. They also offered the regular burnt offerings and the offerings required for the new moon celebrations and the annual festivals as prescribed by the Lord The people also gave voluntary offerings to the Lord. Fifteen days before the Festival of Shelters began, the priests had begun to sacrifice burn offerings to the Lord. This was even before they had started to lay the foundation of the Temple. (vv. 1-6, NLT)

Cyrus Allows the Exiles to Return, Ezra Chapter 1

In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled the prophesy he had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writng an to send it through out the his kingdom:

“This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build Him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Any of you who are His people may go to Jerusalem in Judah to rebuilt this Temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, who lives in Jerusalem. And may your God be with you! Wherever this Jewish remnant is found, let their neighbors contribute towards their expenses by giving them silver and gold, supplies for the journey, and livestock, as well as a voluntary offering for the Temple of God in Jerusalem.

Then God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites and the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the Lord. And all their neighbors assisted by giving the articles of silver and gold, supplies for the journey and livestock. They gave them many valuable gifts in addition to all the voluntary offerings.

King Cyrus himself brought out the articles that King Nebuchadnezzar had taken fro the Lord’s Temple in Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of his own gods. Cyrus directed Mithredath, the treasurer of Persia, to count these items and present them to Sheshbazzar, the leader of the exiles returning to Judah. (vv 1-8, NLT)

Cyrus Allows the Exiles to Return, 2 Chronicles, Chapter 36

In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the Lord fulfilled the prophesy He had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing ant to sent it through out his kindom:

“This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build Him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is Judah. Any of you who are the Lord’s people may go there for this task. And may the Lord your God be with you!” (vv. 22-23, NLT)

The Fall of Jerusalem, 2 Chronicles Chapter 36

The Lord brought the king of Babylon against them. The Babylonians killed Judah’s young men, even chasing them in to the Temple. They had no pity on the people, killing both young men and women, the old and the infirm. God handed all of them over to Nebuchadnezzar. The king took home to Babylon all the articles, large and small, used in the the Lord’s Temple and from the palace of the king and his officials. Then his army burned the Temple of God, tore down the walls of Jerusalem, burned al the palaces and completely destroyed everything of value. The few who survived were taken as servants to the king and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came into power. So the message of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled. The land finally enjoyed its Sabbath rest, lying desolate until the seventy years were fulfilled, just as the prophet had said. (vv. 17-21, NLT)