With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD, “He is good, His love to Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. Ezra 3:11 (Ezra 1-3)
The code of conquering for Assyria and Babylon was defeat, deport and scatter. When Cyrus, king of Persia enters Babylon, Daniel tells him of the writing on the wall and shares the fulfilled prophecies of Isaiah. This influenced him to adopt the policy of repatriation.
Chapter 2 is the accounting of leaders, clans, priests, Levites, workmen and Solomon’s servants who chose to leave the lives they built in Babylon and return to Judah. Approximately 50,000 Jews returned. A fraction of what they once were, this nation, cut back to its very roots, began growing a new vitality with an emphasis on purity. The returning tribe of Judah gathered a few extra people from the other tribes along their journey. As a result, the reference to All Israel is made in worship and prayer and the New Testament still speaks of the twelve tribes.
Upon entering Jerusalem, the first order of business was to rebuild the altar according to Mosaic Law, celebrate The Feast of Tabernacles and restore other religious observances. As soon as this had been accomplished, the foundation for the Temple was laid. There were mixed feelings among the elder generation as they remembered what Judah and its magnificent city had once been. But because God is faithful and He always does what He says He will do, the Jews are free to once again become themselves. They are subject to Persia, but culturally/religiously they are being restored in God’s image, complete with a plan of salvation for the entire world, in other words, to bless all nations…….the original purpose of God’s covenant people.
Don’t ever underestimate the power of God’s renewal! His love endures forever! It is the most powerful force in the universe!
Love,
Gretchen