The exile of the Israelites occurred during two major periods:

Assyrian Exile (722 B.C.): the Assyrian Empire conquered the northern kingdom of Israel and scattered most of the Israelites throughout their empire.

Babylonian Exile (586 BC): the Babylonian Empire conquered the southern kingdom of Judah, destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, and took many Jews into captivity in Babylon.

The Babylonian Exile was different from the Assyrian Exile. The Babylonians took with them skilled and influential people, such as royalty, officials, soldiers, and artisans (2 Kings 24). They did this to weaken Judah's ability to resist. These exiles were taken to Babylon to prevent rebellion and to use their skills to strengthen the Babylonian empire.

List of Returning Exiles

In Ezra 2 we see a long list of the exiles who returned to Jerusalem. From the Babylonian policy of exile, we can surmise that most of these exiles were men of influence or skill, or their descendants. However, we need to pay special attention to the fact that God chose them not just because they were influential or skilled, but because they were faithful to God and longed to return to Jerusalem to worship Him.

In Psalm 137:5-6 we learn that despite their exile, they did not forget God. They said, ‘If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you,’ Their desire for Jerusalem was greater than the difficulties they faced.

The Returning Leaders

The rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple required godly spiritual leaders. The leaders listed in Ezra 2, such as Zerubbabel, Joshua, and Nehemiah, were key in guiding the people (v. 2). God's chosen spiritual leaders played an important role in the rebuilding process, whether it was rebuilding the nation or restoring the community of believers. These leaders not only helped rebuild the temple, but also restored the people's worship and obedience to God.

Reflection

The experience of Israel's exile and return teaches us that God is always faithful, no matter what the difficulties. In trying times, we may feel forgotten or lost, but the hope of the Israelites in Jerusalem reminds me that God will never abandon his people. Like them, we can trust God to bring healing and restoration, even if it takes time. This chapter also showed us that true spiritual leaders are those who lead others back to God. This experience encouraged me to hold fast to my faith, to trust in God's promises, and to remember that God is always at work in my life, even when I can't see it.

Prayer : Dear Father, thank you for your unwavering faithfulness, and just as you restored the Israelites from exile, so we trust you to bring healing and restoration to our lives. Help us to hold on your promises, and to know that your hand is always at work in our lives. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.