I'm reviewing my posts and I could not think as previously posted.
During the first year of the reign of Cyrus, God prompted Cyrus to send some of the Jewish exiles back to Jerusalem to start rebuilding the temple. Cyrus not only does this, but also sends back the gold and silver articles that Nebuchadnezzar had looted from the original temple.
Much of the first few chapters of Ezra contain a list of the people who returned from exile and what they brought with them.
When they arrive in Jerusalem, they celebrate, offer sacrifices, hold the Feast of Tabernacles before laying the foundation of the new temple. The foundation is completed the people weep and shout for joy. Some of the throng include people who saw the original temple and they wept too.
A few enemies emerge to sabotage the reconstruction of the temple. These appear to be local people who do not want a Jewish recolonization and revival in Jerusalem. Perhaps it is because they are established in the city and they do not want to share it. They offer to help rebuild the temple, but the Jewish leaders decline their help.
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