The Resettlement of Judah refers to the period following the Babylonian Exile when the Jewish people returned to their homeland to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. This significant event is chronicled in the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, and Zechariah, and it marks a pivotal moment in Jewish history as the fulfillment of prophetic promises and the restoration of religious and communal life in Judah.

Historical Context

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

Cyrus the Great and the Decree

The resettlement began under the decree of Cyrus the Great, the Persian king who conquered Babylon in 539 BC. In the first year of his reign, Cyrus issued a proclamation allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This decree is recorded in Ezra 1:2-3: "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

Led by Zerubbabel, a descendant of King David, and Jeshua the high priest, the first group of exiles returned to Judah around 538 BC. This group laid the foundation for 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" .

Challenges and Opposition

The rebuilding efforts faced significant opposition from surrounding peoples, leading to delays and discouragement. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah played crucial roles in encouraging the people to continue the work. Haggai 1:4-5 exhorts the people: "Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now this is what the LORD of Hosts says: 'Consider carefully your ways'" .

Completion of the Temple

Despite the challenges, the Second Temple was completed in 516 BC, during the reign of Darius the Great. This event is celebrated in Ezra 6:15-16: "And this temple was completed on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. Then the people of Israel—the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the exiles—celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy" .

The Role of Ezra and Nehemiah

Ezra, a scribe and priest, arrived in Jerusalem around 458 BC to teach the Law and restore religious practices. Nehemiah, a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, came in 445 BC to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, providing security and stability for the resettled community. Nehemiah 2:17-18 records his call to action: "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.' And I told them how the hand of my God had been upon me for good, and what the king had said to me. 'Let us start rebuilding,' they replied, and they set their hands to this good work" .

Spiritual Renewal

The resettlement period was marked by a spiritual renewal as the people recommitted to the covenant with God. Ezra 10:1 describes a moment of collective repentance: "While Ezra prayed and made this confession, weeping and falling facedown before the house of God, a very large assembly of Israelites—men, women, and children—gathered around him, and the people wept bitterly" .

The Resettlement of Judah was a fulfillment of God's promises and a testament to His faithfulness, as the Jewish people restored their homeland and religious identity.