From the Pulpit...

In 538 B.C., as a result of the proclamation of Cyrus the Persian, Israel was allowed to return to Babylon to her homeland under the civil leadership of Zerubbabel and the spiritual guidance of Joshua the High-Priest. About 50,000 Jews returned. In 536 B.C., they began to rebuild the temple but opposition from neighnors and indifference by the Jews caused the work to be abandoned. Sixteen years later Haggai and Zechariah were commissioned by the Lord to stir up the people to 1) not only rebuild the temple, but also to 2) reorder their spiritual priorities. As a result, the temple was completed 4 years later.