The Return to Jerusalem marks a significant period in the history of the Israelites, chronicled primarily in the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, and Zechariah. This event follows the Babylonian Exile, a time when the Jewish people were taken captive by the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar II. The return was initiated after the fall of Babylon to the Persian Empire under King Cyrus the Great, who issued a decree allowing the exiles to return to their homeland and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.

Historical Context

The Babylonian Exile began in 586 BC when Jerusalem was destroyed, and the temple was razed. 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 seventy years" (Jeremiah 25:11). The return commenced around 538 BC, following Cyrus's decree, which 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 First Return under Zerubbabel

The first wave of returnees was led by Zerubbabel, a descendant of King David, and Jeshua the high priest. This group focused on rebuilding the temple, laying its foundation amidst opposition from surrounding peoples. The work was initially halted but resumed under the prophetic encouragement of Haggai and Zechariah. 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

Ezra, a scribe and priest, led the second return around 458 BC. His mission was to restore the spiritual and religious life of the people, emphasizing adherence to the Law of Moses. Ezra's leadership is noted for his dedication to teaching the Law and reforming the community's practices. 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

Nehemiah, a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia, led the third return around 445 BC. His primary focus was the reconstruction of Jerusalem's walls, which had remained in ruins since the Babylonian conquest. Despite facing significant opposition, Nehemiah successfully 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."

Religious and Social Reforms

The return to Jerusalem was not merely a physical restoration but also a spiritual renewal. The leaders emphasized the importance of covenant faithfulness, adherence to the Law, and the reestablishment of proper worship practices. The reading of the Law by Ezra, as described in Nehemiah 8, led to a national revival and a renewed commitment to God's commandments.

Prophetic Significance

The return to Jerusalem holds prophetic significance, as it set the stage for the coming of the Messiah. The rebuilding of the temple and the reestablishment of Jerusalem as a center of Jewish life were essential for the fulfillment of messianic prophecies. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah provided encouragement and foresight, pointing to a future hope and the coming of God's kingdom.

The Return to Jerusalem remains a pivotal event in biblical history, symbolizing God's faithfulness to His promises and His people's resilience in the face of adversity.