Renovation Of God’s Things_02 Ezra 1:7-11 The book of Ezra opens in 538 B.C., 48 years after Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem, defeated the southern kingdom of Judah, and carried the Jews away to Babylon as captives (2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36). Nebuchadnezzar died in 562, and because his successors were not strong, Babylon was overthrown by Persia in 539, just prior to the events recorded in this book. Both the Babylonians and the Persians had a relaxed policy toward their captives, allowing them to own land and homes and to take ordinary jobs. Many Jews such as Daniel, Mordecai, and Esther rose to prominent positions within the nation. King Cyrus of Persia went a step further: He allowed many groups of exiles, including the Jews, to return to their homelands. By doing this, he hoped to win their loyalty and thus provide buffer zones around the borders of his empire. For the Jews this was a day of hope, a new beginning.Almost 50,000 Jews left Babylon and returned to Palestine. Three years later, in 535 B.C, they laid the foundation for a new Temple, thus ending the 70 years of their captivity.A significant contribution of wealth was made by King Cyrus himself. He returned all the temple furnishings and articles that Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had plundered.Persia’s treasurer, a man named Mithredath, counted the temple articles and turned them over to the leader of the returning exiles, Sheshbazzar v.8-10. These items or articles were to be placed in the temple after its construction. Obviously, the articles included the dishes, bowls, pans, knives, and other utensils or items needed in the slaughtering of sacrifices and in the other functions of worship.