Resurrection Life of Jesus Church

SECOND RETURN OF EXILES
A second group of exiles returned to Jerusalem in 458 BC under the leadership of Ezra, who had prepared himself by studying under the rabbis in Babylon. His sole purpose of moving to Jerusalem was to begin teaching the Old Testament to the Jewish people.

According to Jewish sources, only some 1,500 Jewish men – along with their wives and children – returned to Jerusalem with the priest. Ezra 7:1-10

King Artaxerxes I sent a letter with Ezra which served two purposes: a letter of credit and a letter of authority. This took place before Artaxerxes I later issued a moratorium on rebuilding the temple. verses 11-23

The king also exempted Ezra and his priestly staff from all taxes and custom duties.  verse 24

Ezra was also commissioned to set up a justice system in Jerusalem and the land of Israel in which the Jews lived. verse 25

Ezra and his appointed judges were given authority to punish people who broke the laws he crafted. He was also given power to issue death sentences for criminals that broke the law. verse 26

Ezra rejoiced that the Persian king had given him such broad powers. verses 26-28

WHO ARRIVED WITH EZRA?
Ezra did not bring people who could take part in the construction of the new temple, nor did he bring men of war with him. His mission was simply to re-establish the rabbinical system in the land of Judah and restore the Torah teaching to the Jewish population.

Ezra did not want to arrive with a group that was not organized and he subsequently ordered his people to stop at Ahava, which is believed to have been a place eight days travel north of Babylon. Ezra 8:15

When he discovered there were no Levites among the group, he requested that such men be sent from Babylon. verses 16-19

The Jewish leadership in Babylon fulfilled the request and also sent 220 Nethinims.¹  verse 20

PROCLAIMING A FAST
Ezra was a genuine follower of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and he wanted to be sure the journey and their mission in Jerusalem was according to the will of God. He also asked for protection against robbers. He was a true man of God, believing that if they sought God’s protection, it was not necessary to ask the king for a detachment of soldiers to travel with them. verses 21-23

Ezra’s caravan was much smaller than the one Zerubbabel had led, but they carried a lot of gold and silver that would attract robbers. God protected them and the group arrived to Jerusalem unmolested. verses 24-32

The silver and the gold were handed over to the men in charge of the temple. verses 33-34

This was followed by a sacrificial service to God. verse 35
Ezra established his authority with the governor of Judah. verse 36;

If you are not walking with the Lord, confess your sins, and ask God to use the remainder of your time on earth for His glory. 1 John 1:5-10

1. Nethinim were servants (janitors) who performed menial service in the temple.