The first chapter of Ezra says that God moved the heart of King Cyrus to allow the Israelite people to return home. When they returned to Jerusalem, they began to rebuild the temple just as they began to rebuild their faith in God. During this time they restructured and solidified their worldview. From this point forward, they worshipped God alone and reestablished covenant of the Law, festivals such as the Passover, and traditions found in the Book of Law. Ezra 3:10-13 says they rejoiced in their return to the Lord and rebuilding of a temple, which was a complete change from the Pre-Exilic worldview. By their actions, they set themselves apart from surrounding nations. Chapter nine of Ezra tell us that the people turned from marrying those of foreign nationalities and chapter ten tells of their confession and repentance of their past
The first chapter of Ezra says that God moved the heart of King Cyrus to allow the Israelite people to return home. When they returned to Jerusalem, they began to rebuild the temple just as they began to rebuild their faith in God. During this time they restructured and solidified their worldview. From this point forward, they worshipped God alone and reestablished covenant of the Law, festivals such as the Passover, and traditions found in the Book of Law. Ezra 3:10-13 says they rejoiced in their return to the Lord and rebuilding of a temple, which was a complete change from the Pre-Exilic worldview. By their actions, they set themselves apart from surrounding nations. Chapter nine of Ezra tell us that the people turned from marrying those of foreign nationalities and chapter ten tells of their confession and repentance of their past