Introduction
In this book we jump over the 70-year chasm called the Exile and land in the period of Israel’s history called The Restoration. After the Babylonians were defeated by the Persian Empire, the tides changed for the Jewish people living in Exile. Under the permission of the Persian king, three separate waves of people returned to the city of Jerusalem to begin rebuilding that holy place. These three waves were led by three men: Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. While the kingdom of Judah was never fully established with a truly autonomous king, this restoration was vitally important for God’s redemptive plan. In order for the Messiah to come to save His people, the Temple had to be rebuilt. Under the political leadership of the pagan, Persian Empire, God began paving the way for His Son, Jesus, to enter the world and establish His throne eternally.