articlesforchristians

The Return to Jerusalem

• The first expedition to return back to Jerusalem took place after the prophetic time of 70
  years of captivity had expired.
  • This expedition took place about 536 BC and was led by Zerubbabel.
    • He brought about 50,000 Jews back to Jerusalem.
• The second year after their return, they began to rebuild the Temple.
  • Haggai 1:1-3 (Amp) In the second year of Darius the king [of Persia], on the first day of the sixth month (Aug 29, 520 b.c.), the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying,  “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘These people say, “The time has not come that the Lord’s house (temple) should be rebuilt.” Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, “Is it time for you yourselves to live in your [expensive] paneled houses while this house [of the Lord] lies in ruins?” Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, “Consider your ways and thoughtfully reflect on your conduct!
    

OPPOSITION

• The Jews met with opposition from their enemies when trying to rebuild the Temple.
  • Ezra 4:4-5 (Amp) Then [the Samaritans and others of] the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah, and frightened them [to deter them] from building, and hired advisers [to work] against them to frustrate their plans during the entire time that Cyrus king of Persia reigned, [and this lasted] even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
    

THE PROPHETS AND THE MESSAGE OF RESTORATION

• The restoration period also had its prophets.
  • God sent men as Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi to encourage and chasten (correct and discipline) the Jews.
    

THE OLD TESTAMENT ENDS

• The Old Testament life of the Israelites seems to be one of continual backsliding.
• The Old Testament ends with the people again forgetting God and His word.
  • Malachi 3:5-6 (amp)  “Then I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness against sorcerers, against adulterers, against perjurers, and against those who oppress the laborer in his wages and widows and the fatherless, and against those who turn away the alien [from his right], and those who do not fear Me [with awe-filled reverence],” says the Lord of hosts. “For I am the Lord, I do not change [but remain faithful to My covenant with you]; that is why you, O sons of Jacob, have not come to an end.
• Although they no longer practiced idolatry for the most part, most of them forgot the manifestation of HIS great power and they fell into apostasy.
• The Old Testament ends with the Jews outside of the will of God.
• They did not hear another prophetic message from God for about 400 years.