Ezra 6

19–22 Then at the appointed time, the Jews of Judah celebrated their first PASSOVER and Feast of Unleavened Bread since returning from exile²³ (see Exodus 12:1–20; Leviticus 23:4–8). All was carried out in accordance with the law of Moses. The priests and Levites, having purified themselves, were ceremonially clean²⁴ (verse 20). But equally important, non-Israelites were also allowed to take part in the celebration as long as they had separated themselves from the unclean practices of their GENTILE (non-Israelite) neighbors (verse 21). God never intended that the Israelites remain exclusive; they were expected to welcome into their community all those who sincerely desired to seek the Lord.

Christians, of course, are not to be exclusive either; we are called to go out into every class of society and invite people to join our fellowship. But there is always this one condition: in order to join they must separate themselves from the “unclean practices” of false religions (2 Corinthians 6:14–18). The community of believers, with God’s help, must ever seek that balance between being welcoming on the one hand and maintaining the community’s purity on the other.²⁵

As we look back at this small community of returned exiles building their temple and celebrating the Passover, several things should be noted. First, the return of the exiles represented not only a national restoration but also a spiritual restoration. Those exiles whose hearts had remained open to God were now restored to their land and to their temple, which symbolized God’s presence with them. God had punished them severely, but now He had brought them back to resume their blessed status as His chosen people. In a sense, they had experienced the “exodus” all over again: deliverance from bondage. Thus their first Passover celebration must have held deep and special meaning for them.

The second thing to note is that God is rich in mercy. The Jews had fully deserved their punishment, but now God in mercy was restoring them. He had cast them out of their land, but He had not cast them off from Himself. Here is hope for all believers who have backslidden and fallen into Satan’s trap: if they will but repent and turn to God, He will restore them to Himself (1 John 1:9).

A third thing to note concerns the role of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. They were God’s spokesmen, appointed to exhort and encourage the Jews to finish building the temple. For Christians today, there is less need for prophets like Haggai and Zechariah, because we have the completed Scripture available to us, and we also have the HOLY SPIRIT within us to give us guidance, encouragement and strength.

A fourth thing to note is the amazing power of God to provide for our needs. When the returning exiles arrived in Judah, they had brought with them many possessions that had been given to them by those who chose to stay in Babylon (Ezra 1:5–6); these were used to begin the construction of the temple. But during the fifteen years the construction was interrupted, the Jews became more interested in their own comfort and survival and, as a result, the Lord punished them by sending a drought on the land (Haggai 1:10–11). Then the impoverished Jews were told by Haggai to get busy and complete the temple! But how would they pay for it?

Then God, through Haggai, told them: “The silver is mine and the gold is mine” (Haggai 2:8). “I will provide.” And God provided by sending them the silver and gold stored in the treasuries of the Persian Empire!²⁶ (verses 8–10).