Babylonian Captivity: Difference between revisions
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Around 457 B.C., 80 years after the first return of the people of Judah, the second return took place under the leadership of [[Book of Ezra|Ezra]]. A 16th-generation descendant of the high priest [[Aaron]], Ezra was a scholar and priest highly knowledgeable in the law. He had earned the trust of King Artaxerxes of Persia, and his decision to return to Judah was motivated by his commitment to study, follow, and teach the law of [[Jehovah]], along with His statutes and ordinances.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+7%3A1-10&version=NIV |title=Ezra 7:1–10 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> | Around 457 B.C., 80 years after the first return of the people of Judah, the second return took place under the leadership of [[Book of Ezra|Ezra]]. A 16th-generation descendant of the high priest [[Aaron]], Ezra was a scholar and priest highly knowledgeable in the law. He had earned the trust of King Artaxerxes of Persia, and his decision to return to Judah was motivated by his commitment to study, follow, and teach the law of [[Jehovah]], along with His statutes and ordinances.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+7%3A1-10&version=NIV |title=Ezra 7:1–10 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> | ||
King Artaxerxes granted Ezra permission to return and issued a decree allowing any Israelite who wished to join him in returning to Jerusalem. Offerings designated for use in the temple of God were entrusted to Ezra for transport. Additionally, the decree stated that priests and others serving in the temple of God would be exempt from taxation. The people were to be judged and instructed in accordance with [[Law of God|God’s law]], and individuals who failed to follow the commands of God and the king would face appropriate punishment. | King Artaxerxes granted Ezra permission to return and issued a decree allowing any Israelite who wished to join him in returning to Jerusalem. Offerings designated for use in the temple of God were entrusted to Ezra for transport. Additionally, the decree stated that priests and others serving in the temple of God would be exempt from taxation. The people were to be judged and instructed in accordance with [[The Law of God|God’s law]], and individuals who failed to follow the commands of God and the king would face appropriate punishment. | ||
With God’s help, Ezra gathered those wishing to return to Judah, bringing offerings and sacred vessels for the temple. Before departing for Jerusalem, he discovered that there were no [[Levites|Levites]] among the second wave of returnees to serve in the temple. Ezra then sought out descendants of the Levites and persuaded them to join the journey. A group of approximately 2,000, including priests, descendants of King [[David]], Levites, and others, set out for Jerusalem. They [[Fasting|fasted]] and prayed for God’s protection, and their prayers were answered, allowing them to reach Jerusalem safely.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+8%3A1-23&version=NIV |title=Ezra 8:1–23 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> | With God’s help, Ezra gathered those wishing to return to Judah, bringing offerings and sacred vessels for the temple. Before departing for Jerusalem, he discovered that there were no [[Levites|Levites]] among the second wave of returnees to serve in the temple. Ezra then sought out descendants of the Levites and persuaded them to join the journey. A group of approximately 2,000, including priests, descendants of King [[David]], Levites, and others, set out for Jerusalem. They [[Fasting|fasted]] and prayed for God’s protection, and their prayers were answered, allowing them to reach Jerusalem safely.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+8%3A1-23&version=NIV |title=Ezra 8:1–23 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> | ||