The Return

538–516 BC

Books of Esther, Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah & Malachi

~ Before the Israelites returned to their homeland, they endured seventy years of exile.

After seventy years of exile, God moved in the heart of King Cyrus of Persia. He decreed that the Jews could return home and rebuild the house of the Lord. Cyrus and this decree were prophesied by Isaiah 150 years before the event—another astounding prophecy fulfilled!

The exiles coursed back to Jerusalem, led by Zerubbabel and Joshua the priest. They rebuilt the altar, but then the work stalled. God sent prophets Haggai and Zechariah to stir their hearts: “Be strong…for I am with you!” (Hag. 2:4–5, Zech. 8:9) The people rose up. The Temple was finally finished and dedicated with joy and sacrifice in 516 BC.

During the first waves of the Jewish exiles returning to their homeland, Esther, a beautiful, young Jewish woman, rose to a position of unexpected influence in Persia. Chosen to be queen in the court of King Xerxes (Ahasuerus), she concealed her identity at first, but with the wise counsel of her cousin Mordecai, courageously revealed her heritage when the survival of her people was at stake. At great personal risk, she interceded before the king, exposing Haman’s plot to annihilate the Jews. Through her bravery and faith in God’s providence, the Israelites were delivered from destruction. God established the feast of Purim to commemorate this great deliverance. The book of Esther contains this beloved narrative.

Some years later, Ezra the scribe returned to Jerusalem to teach the Law, calling the people back to holiness. Then came Nehemiah, who rebuilt Jerusalem’s broken walls. In just fifty-two days, the city was secured, and the people gathered to hear God’s Word, weeping and rejoicing.

~ After the Temple and city walls were rebuilt, the people renewed their covenant with God, and worship was restored in Jerusalem.

Significance

• The return showed that God keeps His Word. Jeremiah had prophesied seventy years of exile (Jer. 29:10), and Isaiah had even named Cyrus (Isa. 44:28; 45:1) as the one who would set them free. When Cyrus issued his decree in 538 BC, it proved that history itself bends to God’s covenant faithfulness.
• When the prophet Daniel (in Babylon) read Jeremiah’s prophecy, he was stirred with great faith and began to intercede in earnest by repenting for the sins of his people. (Dan.9:1–19)
• The return was not just about Israel; it foreshadowed God’s plan of worldwide redemption through the Messiah. Just as He had gathered His scattered people from Babylon, God would one day gather people from every nation through Christ (Is. 43:5–7; John 10:16).