There is a way back to God.
For 70 years, the tribe of Judah languished in Babylon under the disciplinary hand of God. But the Lord had prescribed the limits of the captivity through Jeremiah, who wrote, “And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years” (Jer. 25:11). Faithful to His Word, when the seventy years were accomplished, God set events in motion to restore His people to their own land.
The exile in Babylon had taken place in three distinct phases, as Nebuchadnezzar returned time and again to take more captives to Babylon. Likewise the return of the exiles from Babylon took place in three distinct phases. (See chart on page 14.)
1. The return under Zerubbabel
2. The return under Ezra
3. The return under Nehemiah
Common factors
Several elements are seen in these returns. Firstly, the returns were initiated and supported by Gentile kings. The return under Zerubbabel was initiated by Cyrus, and the returns under Ezra and Nehemiah were encouraged and supported by Artaxerxes, king of Persia.
Secondly, in the returns led by Zerubbabel and Ezra, there is a meticulous register of the names of those who volunteered to return to Jerusalem and a complete listing of the vessels that had been taken from the temple at Jerusalem, which were being returned. (The list of exiles and vessels given in Nehemiah is a repeat of the listing given concerning the return under Zerubbabel in Ezra 2 and 6.)
Thirdly, the Word of God was prominent in these great revivals.
Practical lessons
These returns provide valuable instruction for us today. To begin with, we see that when God disciplines His people, it is always done in order to bring about repentance and recovery. This principle runs throughout Scripture and is still in operation in the local church. In 1 Corinthians 5, we are faced with a situation demanding the extreme discipline of excommunication. The apostle wrote, “Therefore put away from among yourselves, that wicked person” (1 Cor. 5:13). However, when Paul wrote his second epistle, the discipline had done its work and he wrote, “Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him” (2 Cor. 2:8).
We also see that the Lord often sovereignly chooses vessels that we find surprising. One would have thought that the call to return to Jerusalem would have come from the priestly class or from the prophets among the exiles, but God raised up the Gentile kings Cyrus and Artaxerxes as His instruments to initiate the return from exile. This teaches us that the administration of this world, and the movements of its leaders, are all superintended by God with the best interests of His people in mind. So often we can become disheartened as we look at world scenes which seem to become increasingly chaotic, but God has never abdicated His throne and we can rest assured in His love and care whatever may transpire.
The sequence of the returns
It is important to note that the returns from Babylon took place in the proper sequence in accordance with God’s predetermined plan. The focus of each of the leaders and their corresponding ministry were different, but, as we will see, they complemented one other.
It is suggested that these men and their ministries prefigure the gifts which the ascended Lord gave to men for the benefit and blessing of the church. We read, “And [the Lord] gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:11f).
Zerubbabel: apostles and prophets The ministry of Zerubbabel was foundational—rebuilding the altar and the temple—and the work was encouraged by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. Similarly, the ministry of the apostles and prophets in the church was foundational, including the completion of the canon of Scripture. Once the foundation had been laid, their direct ministry was over. Paul wrote, “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon” (1 Cor. 3:10). Again, “[Ye] are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone;” (Eph. 2:20).
Ezra: pastors and teachers Some 58 years after the foundational ministry of Zerubbabel was complete, Ezra appeared on the scene. His ministry was to address the dreadful moral condition of the people: idolatry and intermingling with the surrounding nations. He called Israel to separation from the nations and putting away various improper practices, in order that the singular identity of Israel as the chosen people of God might be maintained. His ministry was painful but necessary for the preservation of the nation. This ministry corresponds to the ministry of pastor and teacher in our day. These men are raised up by God to shepherd His people and minister His Word among them. This ministry is twofold: to correct deviations that occur and to build up the people of God in their most holy faith.
Nehemiah: evangelists Nehemiah built the walls of protection around the city, but he also provided means of access through the gates. It is suggested that the work of the evangelist is to make men aware of the impossibility of their ever reaching the Holy City on their own merits, exhorting them instead to take advantage of the means of access that has been provided through Christ. The Lord Himself said to Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (Jn. 14:6). It is significant that in the final scenes depicting the Holy City in the book of Revelation, it also has a high wall which has twelve gates—three on each point of the compass—emphasizing the universality of the gospel. We read concerning that city “…it had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel” (Rev. 21:12). The only means of access is through Christ, God’s appointed way.