God’s people leave babylon story – परमेश्वर के लोगों ने बेबीलोन छोड़ दिया कहानी
Many years had passed since the people of Judah were taken captive to Babylon. The city of Jerusalem lay in ruins, and the people longed for the day they could return to their homeland. The prophet Jeremiah had foretold that their exile would last seventy years, and now that time was drawing to a close.
Cyrus, the king of Persia, had conquered Babylon and established a new rule over the vast empire. Unlike the Babylonian kings, Cyrus had a different approach to ruling his subjects. He respected their customs and religions, and he believed in allowing exiled peoples to return to their homelands.
One day, the Lord stirred the heart of King Cyrus. He made a proclamation throughout his kingdom and put it in writing: “This is what Cyrus, king of Persia, says: ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem, and may the Lord their God be with them.'”
The news spread quickly among the exiled Jews. Their hearts were filled with joy and anticipation. God had not forgotten them, and now He was making a way for them to return home. Leaders like Zerubbabel, a descendant of King David, and Jeshua the high priest, stepped forward to lead the people back to Judah.
The journey back to Jerusalem was long and arduous, but the people were filled with hope. They carried with them the treasures that King Cyrus had returned to them—gold and silver articles that had been taken from the temple by the Babylonians. The king also provided resources and protection for their journey, ensuring they reached their destination safely.
When the exiles arrived in Jerusalem, they were met with the stark reality of their ruined city. The once-glorious temple of Solomon was now a pile of rubble, and the city walls were broken down. Despite the daunting task ahead, the people’s faith in God gave them strength.
Under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua, the people set to work. The first thing they did was build an altar to the Lord on its old foundation. They began to offer sacrifices and observe the feasts as prescribed in the Law of Moses. This act of worship was a declaration of their renewed commitment to God and a symbol of their hope for the future.
With the altar in place, they began to lay the foundation for the new temple. As the foundation was laid, there was a great celebration. The priests blew their trumpets, and the Levites played cymbals to praise the Lord, following the example of King David. The people sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord: “He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.”
However, the celebration was mixed with tears. Many of the older priests, Levites, and family heads who had seen the former temple wept aloud when they saw the foundation of the new temple being laid. They remembered the former glory of Solomon’s temple and could not help but feel the loss. But the younger generation rejoiced loudly, and the sound of weeping and joy mingled together, rising up to the heavens.
The work on the temple continued amidst challenges and opposition from neighboring peoples. Despite these obstacles, the people’s determination and faith in God never wavered. Prophets like Haggai and Zechariah encouraged them to stay strong and reminded them of God’s promises.
After several years of hard work, the temple was finally completed. It was not as grand as Solomon’s temple, but it was a testament to the people’s faith and perseverance. They dedicated the temple with great rejoicing, offering sacrifices and celebrating the Passover with renewed fervor.
The return from exile marked a new beginning for God’s people. They had experienced God’s faithfulness in bringing them back to their land, and their hearts were turned towards Him with a deeper devotion. The story of their journey from Babylon to Jerusalem became a powerful reminder of God’s promise to restore and redeem His people, no matter how difficult the journey might be.
God’s people leave babylon story – परमेश्वर के लोगों ने बेबीलोन छोड़ दिया कहानी
