1. Renewed Commitment

2. Return From Exile
Cyrus the King of Persia allowed Jews to return to Israel in 536 BC
Jews returned in three different waves
Led by Zerubbabel
Led by Ezra
Led by Nehemiah

3. Zerubbabel Returned with the high priest Joshua
Job was to rebuild the temple and restore worship of God in Israel
Jews who returned had to donate money to help build the temple
Jerusalem was still in ruins 50 years after the Babylon invasion

4. The New Temple Took several years to rebuild
Work stopped on it several times
Samaritans tried to stop the Jews from working on it because Jews refused their help
Jews were depressed because it as not as nice as first temple

5. Ezra Almost 100 years after the first return
Ezra was a scribe (someone who studies and copies the religious documents)
Granted permissions to return by King Artaxerxes

6. Ezra’s Mission
Ezra wanted to return the Jews to all of the Law of Moses
Rededicated the temple
Reintroduced sacrifices
Told Jewish men to get rid of their foreign wives
Recopied most of the Old Testament (especially the Torah)
All of this was supported by Persia
Exiled the Samaritans from Jerusalem (Mongrel Race)

7. Nehemiah About 20 years after Ezra Cupbearer for Artaxerxes
Worried about the safety of the Jews in Jerusalem
(no city walls)

8. Nehemiah's Mission
Nehemiah allowed to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls
Had everyone work on the section of the wall by their homes
Samaritans again tried to stop them
Rebuilt the walls in 52 days
Nehemiah was latter named governor of Judah

9. Notes Quiz Who was the king who allowed the Jews to return home?
Who led the group of Jews who rebuilt the temple?
What was one thing that Ezra did when he returned to Jerusalem?
What group of people was considered a mongrel race by the Jews?
How long did it take Nehemiah to rebuild he walls of Jerusalem?