Darius orders a search of the archives in Babylon. But it’s in a search of the archives in Ecbatana, the capital of Media, where they discover that Cyrus really did decree the rebuilding of Israel’s temple (along with some stipulations about its size and about returning the vessels). So Darius sends a letter ordering Tattenai […]
MORE ...The prophets Zechariah and Haggai prophesy to the people of Judah, and, encouraged by the prophets, Zerubbabel and Jeshua start to rebuild the temple again. After all, lumber prices are going through the roof. The governor of the province Beyond the River, Tattenai, a guy named Shether-bozenai, and their associates question the Israelites about who […]
MORE ...When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin hear that they’re building a new temple, they approach Zerubbabel and say they want to help since they’ve been sacrificing to God too. As if. Zerubbabel dismisses them, saying that the Israelites alone will build, since that’s what Cyrus asked them to do. Anyway, it’s not their place […]
MORE ...In the seventh month, the people gather together in Jerusalem. The high priest Jeshua, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and the priests set up an altar to God on the ruined foundations of the temple and make offerings day and night. The people observe the “festival of booths” and make the various kinds of burnt offerings […]
MORE ...This chapter provides a very long list of the different families and descendants who returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon. It lists single ancestors and the number of their descendants who’ve journeyed back. The list includes: the Israelite people as a whole, the priests, the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the descendants of […]
MORE ...As the book begins, God inspires King Cyrus of Persia (who has just conquered Babylon) to send out a herald and a written edict throughout his new empire. The edict tells the people that God has appointed Cyrus the new ruler of this empire, and ordered him to build him a new temple in Jerusalem. […]
MORE ...The great reformer is gone. Now it’s his son Jehoahaz’s turn to rule. He doesn’t have much luck because he’s only in power for 3 months. The King of Egypt apparently changes his mind and does come after Judah. He takes control of the country and makes Judah pay taxes to Egypt. Then he kicks […]
MORE ...2 Chronicles Chapter 35 So what’s left to do but throw another party? King Josiah arranges for everyone to come to Jerusalem for Passover, just like Hezekiah did. The celebration’s a big success and everything’s carried out according to the laws of Moses from the recently discovered book. Everything would have been perfect if the […]
MORE ...2 Chronicles Chapter 34 Due to the untimely murder of his father, Josiah has to take control of Judah when he’s only 8 years old. But this kid knows what’s up. After he’s been on the throne for about 12 years he decides to take down those idols his father erected. About six years later, […]
MORE ...2 Chronicles Chapter 33 Once Hezekiah is dead, his 12-year-old son Manasseh takes the reigns. But putting a pre-teen in charge might not have been the smartest move. He gets into trouble right off the bat. He rebuilds all the idols that his father went through so much trouble to get rid of. He also […]
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