26. EZRA
Ezra
was a priest who returned from Babylon to Jerusalem around the year 428 before
the birth of Jesus. He was also a leader and very interested in the study of
the religious law of Israel.
THE
RETURN OF THE EXILES. The Persian King Cyrus conquered Babylon 539 years before
the birth of Jesus. He decreed that all the Jews who wished to return to
Jerusalem could do so. He also permitted them to rebuild the temple. Those who
returned were the priests and their helpers, the Levites, those necessary for
the temple service, and the family leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.
THE
BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE. The Jews were discouraged in their first attempt to
build the temple by their neighbors, the Samaritans. After a lapse of 18 years,
the prophets Haggai and Zechariah encouraged the people to resume rebuilding
the temple. The work resumed in 520 B.C. A new problem occurred when they began
the work. The Persian officials wanted to know who gave the permission to
rebuild the temple. Though they permitted the work to continue pending
consultation with the king, they were unaware of the permission originally
given to the Jews by King Cyrus.
THE
MISSION OF EZRA. Ezra was given permission by the Persian King to return to
Jerusalem along with the other Jews. He
was concerned about the religious situation of the people. He was to bring
gifts collected in Babylon for the support of the temple. The king promised
additional support if needed and exempted temple personnel from taxes and
forced labor. Ezra was to appoint judges with full authority to enforce the
religious law.
The
Jews were forced to live in Babylon for fifty years until King Cyrus conquered
Babylon in 593 B.C. and permitted them to return to their homeland. The priest
Ezra also returned and improved the religious condition of the people.
