What happened almost 100 years after Ezra's return to Jerusalem?
Almost 100 years after Ezra led 42,000 exiles back to Jerusalem to begin rebuilding the temple, another group from Babylon also returned to Jerusalem under King Artaxerxes. This later return was associated with Nehemiah, as recorded in Nehemiah chapter 2.
Les explains that almost a century after Ezra led the 42,000 back and began building the temple, another group came from Babylon to Jerusalem under King Artaxerxes. This sets up Nehemiah chapter 2, where in the month of Nisan (April), in the 20th year of Artaxerxes, Nehemiah was serving wine to the king. The king noticed Nehemiah's sad countenance and asked why he was sad, since he was not sick but had sorrow of heart. Nehemiah was sore afraid. Les also stresses that all prophecy is centered on the nation of Israel, not the church, and that learning Israel's history is basic to understanding prophecy.