Babylonian Captivity and the Three Returns in Ezra

The Babylonian captivity involved the deportation of thousands of Judeans, while the return under the decrees in Ezra consisted of a small remnant compared to the vast number who chose to remain in exileHBS 317.4+1.

The Captivity and Deportation

• The Lord permitted the Babylonian captivity as a punishment for Israel's persistent idolatry and their failure to keep the Sabbath and the sabbatical years for the land 2 Chronicles 36:18-21PK 181.1+1.

• During the final siege of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar's forces carried away the remnant of the people that remained in the city, along with those who had already defected to the ChaldeansEB 409.2.

• Specifically, inscriptions from that era note that 27,280 persons were carried away from Samaria, forming a significant portion of the initial exilePTUK September 24, 1896, page 613.2.

• Only the poorest of the people, who possessed nothing, were left behind in the land of Judah to care for the vineyards and fieldsEB 409.2.

The First Decree: Cyrus (536 B.C.)

• The first group to return followed the decree of King Cyrus, which specifically authorized the rebuilding of the house of the Lord in Jerusalem Ezra 1:1-3CRBJ 22.2.

• The total number of the congregation that returned at this time was 42,360 people Ezra 2:64ETI Ezra, Book of.3.

• In addition to the main congregation, there were 7,337 servants and maids, as well as 200 singing men and singing women Ezra 2:65ETI Ezra, Book of.3.

• This group included various classes such as priests, Levites, singers, porters, and Nethinims who settled in their respective cities Ezra 2:70ETI Ezra, Book of.3.

• Despite this gathering, it was only a very small band of captives who returned; the greater part of the nation remained scattered among the heathenHBS 317.4+1.

The Second Decree: Darius Hystaspes (519 B.C.)

• The decree of Darius was a reaffirmation and confirmation of the original decree of Cyrus after the work had been hindered by enemiesPK 578.2+1.

• While the record focuses on the successful completion of the temple in the sixth year of his reign, it notes that the children of the captivity kept the dedication with joy, offering a hundred bullocks and other sacrifices Ezra 6:15-17ETI Ezra, Book of.3.

• The scriptures do not list a specific new census of thousands returning under Darius, but rather emphasize that the Lord was preparing the way for those who had previously lingered to finally returnRH December 26, 1907, par. 15.

The Third Decree: Artaxerxes (457 B.C.)

• A third significant return occurred under Ezra during the seventh year of King Artaxerxes Ezra 7:7-8ARSH April 4, 1854, page 84.13.

• This group consisted of a smaller number of chief men, including priests, Levites, singers, porters, and Nethinims Ezra 7:7+1ETI Ezra, Book of.3.

• Ezra gathered these individuals at the river Ahava, where he discovered a lack of Levites and had to send for specific ministers to join the journey Ezra 8:15-20ETI Canon.3.

• This decree was more ample in its provisions than previous ones, granting Ezra the authority to appoint magistrates and judges to enforce the law of God Ezra 7:25DAR 200.2.

Summary of the Remnant

• The Israelites were carried into captivity to fulfill the word of the Lord until the land had enjoyed its seventy years of rest 2 Chronicles 36:21BDOC 39.80+1.

• At the end of this period, God's people were continually pictured as a remnant—a minority clinging to the true faithEVRR403.

• Even after these opportunities to return, the vast majority of the nation failed to discern the providence of God and chose the comforts of a heathen land over the restoration of JerusalemRH December 26, 1907, par. 15+1.