The Completion of the Temple in Biblical History

Study Notes

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.