Return of the Exiles
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and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the
king’s house: and also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of
God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at
Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again
unto the temple which is at Jerusalem.”
Ezra 6:3-5
.
Tidings of this decree reached the farthermost provinces of the
king’s realm, and everywhere among the children of the dispersion
there was great rejoicing. Many, like Daniel, had been studying the
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prophecies, and had been seeking God for His promised intervention
in behalf of Zion. And now their prayers were being answered; and
with heartfelt joy they could unite in singing:
“When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion,
We were like them that dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing:
Then said they among the heathen,
The Lord hath done great things for them.
The Lord hath done great things for us;
Whereof we are glad.”
Psalm 126:1-3
.
“The chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests,
and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised”—these
were the goodly remnant, about fifty thousand strong, from among the
Jews in the lands of exile, who determined to take advantage of the
wonderful opportunity offered them “to go up to build the house of
the Lord which is in Jerusalem.” Their friends did not permit them to
go empty-handed. “All they that were about them strengthened their
hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts,
and with precious things.” And to these and many other voluntary
offerings were added “the vessels of the house of the Lord, which
Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem; ... even those
did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the
treasurer, ... five thousand and four hundred” in number, for use in the
temple that was to be rebuilt.
Ezra 1:5-11
.
Upon Zerubbabel (known also as Sheshbazzar), a descendant of
King David, Cyrus placed the responsibility of acting as governor
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