The return from exile involved a lot of rebuilding; the temple in the book of Ezra, the wall in the book of Nehemiah, and generally they would have had to rebuild homes, farms, roads, etc. But perhaps the most important rebuilding was the people’s relationship with God’s word. How did Nehemiah help restore Israel’s knowledge of the law, and how should his efforts apply to us?
(Preaching on the return. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on August 24, 2025.)
Israel’s return from exile was a long process of rebuilding and restoring what had been lost, starting with the temple in the book of Ezra. But beyond rebuilding the physical buildings and towns, Israel needed to restore their relationship and obedience to God, a task that Ezra was well suited for. What can we learn from the process of returning and rebuilding in Ezra?
(Preaching on the return. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on August 17, 2025.)
The return from Babylonian exile was not a single event, but rather a process that took place over the course of a century, during which time the temple and walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt. I hope this timeline can help you situate the last part of the Old Testament story in its context.
Watts in the Word 