Many Israelites return to Jerusalem after exile. But their plan to rebuild the temple and return to their covenant faithfulness doesn’t exactly go as planned.

Zerubbabel and Nehemiah both play a part in restoring God's temple, with Zerubbabel taking charge over governing affairs and Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Ezra, a descendant of Aaron, arrives in Jerusalem later and teaches God's laws to the post-exile Jewish generation.

Notice how the people receive and respond to Ezra’s teachings. It may remind you of how people responded to Jesus’ teachings about the Kingdom of God. As Jesus said, "He who has an ear, let him hear." It’s an apt reminder that no matter the context, God’s people struggle to respond to covenant faithfulness. We must all receive a new heart to be the faithful covenant partners we were made to be.

A Return from Exile:

Zerubbabel and Nehemiah both play a part in restoring God's temple, with Zerubbabel taking charge over governing affairs and Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Ezra, a descendant of Aaron, arrives in Jerusalem later and teaches God's laws to the post-exile Jewish generation.

Notice how the people receive and respond to Ezra’s teachings. It may remind you of how people responded to Jesus’ teachings about the Kingdom of God. As Jesus said, "He who has an ear, let him hear." It’s an apt reminder that no matter the context, God’s people struggle to respond to covenant faithfulness. We must all receive a new heart to be the faithful covenant partners we were made to be.

Originally written as a single book in the Hebrew Bible, Ezra and Nehemiah document the fulfillment of God's promise that Israel will return home after 70 years of exile in Babylon and restore their ruined temple again.