Saul Weinreb - Let the Prophets Speak

The newcomers to the land find that they have been more faithful to God than the residents of the Holy Land.  The people have already started to falter in their faithfulness to God, and have begun to adopt the ways of pagan cults that surrounded them.  This led to intermarriage, and Ezra is stunned by the constant and never ending backsliding of God's people.

Having gotten the necessary support of the King, Ezra now gathers the people who will join him on his journey to Jerusalem.  The people gather, pray, and with God's help they have a safe and successful journey.

Ezra sets out for the land of Israel with a new group of returnees.  King ArtaXerxes gives him the full support of the Persian Empire.  The Jewish religion takes a new and important turn, as interpreting the word of God is no longer the realm of the prophets.  Now it is the scholars of Torah who study the word of God, practice it, and teach it to the people. 

Evidence is found that the Judean's were given the rights to build by Cyrus himself.  Darius continues the full support of the Persian kingdom for the building effort, and the Temple is finally completed.  The Judeans, along with many converts from other nations gather together to celebrate Passover in the new Temple.

Some things never change.  The enemies try to use the cumbersome wheels of bureaucracy to stifle the building project of the new Temple.

The local tribes that lived in Judea and Israel while the Judeans were exiled attempt to thwart the building of the Temple and Jerusalem.  This goes on for generations of Persian kings.  

The returnees celebrate their first "high holidays" in Jerusalem by rebuilding the altar.  Preparations begin for rebuilding the Temple as well, and while many rejoice, others weep for the loss of the glorious Temple of the past.

On the authority of Cyrus' decree, the people return to Judea.  The families that returned are enumerated, towns are repopulated, and a treasury is set up to rebuild the Temple.

God acts through the leaders of history and brings His plans to life.  In this chapter we read of the fulfillment of the prophecy of Jeremiah, as Cyrus sends the Jewish people back to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of God.

God has answered all our questions, He has explained what he wants, He will send Elijah to guide us.  It is up to us to speak to others, humbly rebuild our relationships,  The great day of God will come IF we do our part.