The Event of Rebuilding refers primarily to the period following the Babylonian Exile when the Jewish people returned to Jerusalem and undertook the reconstruction of the city and the Temple. This significant historical and spiritual event is chronicled in the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, and Zechariah, and it marks a pivotal moment in the history of Israel as they sought to restore their national and religious identity.

Historical Context

The Babylonian Exile, which began in 586 BC with the destruction of Jerusalem and Solomon's Temple by Nebuchadnezzar, left the Jewish people in a state of displacement and longing for their homeland. The 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 for seventy years" (Jeremiah 25:11).

The turning point came with the rise of the Persian Empire under King Cyrus the Great, who conquered Babylon in 539 BC. In the first year of his reign, Cyrus issued a decree allowing the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This decree is recorded in Ezra 1:2-4 : "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 Rebuilding of the Temple

The first wave of returnees, led by Zerubbabel, a descendant of David, and Jeshua the high priest, began the arduous task of rebuilding the Temple. The foundation was laid amid great celebration and weeping, as described in Ezra 3:11-13 : "And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD had been laid. But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept loudly when they saw the foundation of this temple. Still, many others shouted joyfully."

However, the work faced significant opposition from surrounding peoples, leading to a halt in construction. It was not until the prophetic ministries of Haggai and Zechariah that the people were encouraged to resume and complete 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 Rebuilding of the Walls

The rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls was another critical aspect of this period, spearheaded by Nehemiah, a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia. Nehemiah received permission to return to Jerusalem and oversee the reconstruction of the city's defenses. Despite facing intense opposition and threats, Nehemiah and the people completed the wall in just 52 days, as recorded in Nehemiah 6:15-16 : "So the wall was completed in fifty-two days, on the twenty-fifth of Elul. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God."

Spiritual Renewal

The Event of Rebuilding was not only a physical restoration but also a time of spiritual renewal for the Jewish people. Ezra, a scribe and priest, played a crucial role in this spiritual revival by teaching the Law of Moses to the people. In Nehemiah 8:8 , it is noted, "So they read from the Book of the Law of God, translating and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read."

The people responded with confession, repentance, and a renewed commitment to follow God's commandments, as seen in Nehemiah 9 and 10. This period of rebuilding and renewal laid the foundation for the Jewish community's future and their continued faithfulness to God.

Significance

The Event of Rebuilding is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and restoring His people. It highlights themes of perseverance, obedience, and the importance of spiritual and communal renewal. The rebuilding efforts underscored the centrality of worship and the Temple in Jewish life, setting the stage for the coming of the Messiah, who would bring ultimate restoration and redemption.