The event of the returning exiles is a significant period in biblical history, marking the end of the Babylonian captivity and the restoration of the Jewish people to their homeland. This event is primarily chronicled in the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and portions of the prophetic books such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Haggai.

Historical Background

The Babylonian captivity began in 586 BC when Nebuchadnezzar II, the king of Babylon, destroyed Jerusalem and the First Temple, taking many Jews into exile. This period of exile lasted approximately 70 years, fulfilling the prophecy given by Jeremiah: "This whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years" (Jeremiah 25:11).

The Decree of Cyrus

The return of the exiles was initiated by the decree of Cyrus the Great, the Persian king, in 538 BC. This decree allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. Ezra 1:2-3 records Cyrus's proclamation: "This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: 'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel. He is the God who is in Jerusalem.'"

The First Return under Zerubbabel

The first group of exiles returned under the leadership of Zerubbabel, a descendant of David, and Jeshua the high priest. This return is detailed in Ezra 2, which lists the families and individuals who made the journey back to Jerusalem. Upon their return, they began rebuilding the altar and laid the foundation of the Second Temple, as described in Ezra 3:10-11: "When the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the LORD, according to the ordinance of David king of Israel."

Opposition and Encouragement

The rebuilding efforts faced significant opposition from surrounding peoples, leading to a temporary halt in construction. However, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah encouraged the people to resume the work. Haggai 1:8 exhorts, "Go up into the hills, bring down lumber, and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified, says the LORD."

The Second Return under Ezra

Several decades later, a second group of exiles returned under the leadership of Ezra, a scribe and priest. Ezra's mission was to restore the spiritual and religious life of the people, emphasizing adherence to the Law of Moses. Ezra 7:10 states, "For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, to practice it, and to teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel."

The Third Return under Nehemiah

The final significant return was led by Nehemiah, who served as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia. Nehemiah's primary focus was the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, which had remained in ruins. Nehemiah 2:17 records his rallying cry: "Then I said to them, 'You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, so that we will no longer be a disgrace.'"

Spiritual Reformation

The returning exiles faced not only physical reconstruction but also spiritual reformation. Under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah, the people renewed their covenant with God, as seen in Nehemiah 8-10. They confessed their sins, separated themselves from foreign influences, and committed to following God's commandments.

Significance

The event of the returning exiles is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and restoring His people. It set the stage for the eventual coming of the Messiah, as the Jewish nation was reestablished in their land, maintaining their identity and religious practices.