The Completion of the Temple in Biblical History

The Completion of the Temple

• Darius, the king of Persia, ruled from 522 B.C. and was friendly towards the Jews, allowing them to rebuild the temple.
• Darius added his own decree to the original decree of Cyrus, ensuring the Jews' work was assisted and supplied by the king's treasury.
• The governor hastened to obey the decree, and with the spiritual encouragement of Haggai and Zechariah, the work was completed.
• The Jews dedicated the house of the Lord, even though it was not as grand as Solomon's temple.
• They kept the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and God answered their prayer, turning the king's heart.

The Coming of Ezra to Jerusalem

• Artaxerxes, also known as Artaxerxes Longimanus, ruled Persia from 465 to 425 B.C.
• In his seventh year, he permitted Ezra the priest-scribe to return to Jerusalem to assist the people in their spiritual needs.
• Ezra's genealogy proved he was a priest from the family of Aaron, and he was a ready student of the Law.
• Ezra requested permission from the king to return to Jerusalem, realizing the remnant needed spiritual guidance.
• The king decreed that any Jew could go up with Ezra and return to the land, and they took a large freewill offering to assist in the work of the Lord.
• Ezra's task was to establish order and religious worship in the land.

The Journey to Jerusalem

• Ezra led a group of men, including Levites, on the hazardous journey to Jerusalem.
• The Levites were responsible for studying the Word and teaching it to the people.
• Ezra proclaimed a fast, asking for God's protection, and warned the men to be faithful stewards of the treasures they carried.
• The group departed in April 458 and arrived at Jerusalem in July, traveling at an average of seven miles a day.

The Confession of Sin

• Ezra discovered that the Jews had mingled with their heathen neighbors and married heathen wives, contrary to God's command.
• Ezra was burdened and torn his garment in sorrow and repentance, and sat in silence until the evening sacrifice.
• The people who knew God's Word began to tremble, fearing what the Lord might do to the feeble nation.
• Ezra's prayer of confession acknowledged the nation's past sins and current disobedience.

The Cleansing of the Nation

• God answered Ezra's prayer, touching and convicting the hearts of the people.
• The men came to Ezra, confessing their sins and offering to make a covenant with God and put away their unclean wives.
• A proclamation was made throughout the land, calling the people to gather in Jerusalem to settle the matter.
• Whoever was guilty and did not come would forfeit their place in the land.
• The people agreed to obey, but it took from December to April to straighten out the problem.
• Seventeen priests, ten Levites, and eighty-seven other men were found guilty of marrying heathen wives.