Return to Jerusalem After fifty years of exile in Babylon, a small group of devoted Jews, probably fewer than 50,000, returned to their holy city. ... The second Temple became the central symbol to a scattered Jewish nation, of which most did not return to Jerusalem from Babylon, which was now their home. ...
The Old Testament is filled with history that is relevant to people's lives today. According to Youngblood, "It's primary concern is to outline God's relationship to us, as well as what ought to be our relationship to Him and to one another" (Chap. 10). There is much that can be gained from studying this history. The creation begins by God saying, "Let there be light," and there was light. (New International Version, Genesis 1.3) God then spoke the rest of the world into being. ...
