CHAP. II. 3 THE HISTORY OF THE JEWS, FROM THEIR RETURN FROM THE BABYLONISH CAPTIVITY TO THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM BY TITUS VESPASIAN. SECT. I. From the Return out of Babylon to the Death of Nehemiah. B.C. THE Jews, having remained seventy 536. years in captivity, according to the prediction of Jeremiah, were at length permitted, by the decree of Cyrus, to return to their native land, and to rebuild that sacred edifice, which had been ever regarded as the immediate habitation of God, till reiterated crimes provoked his vengeance, and induced him to leave it de fenceless to the enemy. The king's edict was no sooner made public, than the chiefs of Judah and Benjamin, together with the priests and Levites, assembled, in order to revisit their beloved country. Their example was imitated by all those who had a zeal * It must be observed, that the men of Israel and Judah were blended together, from this time, under the name of Jews, as many persons of the ten tribes took this oppority of returning to the land of their forefathers. for for the God of Israel; and even those who preferred a residence in Babylon to the purposed removal, cheerfully furnished their brethren with such articles as were requisite either for their journey, or for the building of the temple and city. The number of those who returned, under the conduct of Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest, amounted to forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty, beside their servants of both sexes, who were in all, seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven. Mention is also made of two hundred men and women singers, four hundred and thirty-five camels, seven hundred and thirtysix horses, two hundred and forty-five mules, and six thousand seven hundred asses. By this account the reader may see how small the number was of those who returned, in comparison of those who chose to continue in Babylon. Even of the priests only four classes returned; but these, immediately after their arrival, subdivided themselves in such a manner as to make up the original number of twenty-four. The Levites, singers, and other officers of the temple, took up their abode in or near Jerusalem, that they might wait on the service of their God, by rearing up his altar, and preparing all things against the first solemnity; while the rest of the people were occupied in planning their future habitations, or in searching for such of their brethren as Nebuchadnezzar had left in the circumjacent country. On the first day of the month, Tishri, the new year was proclaimed by the sound of the trumpet; the 10th of the same month was the grand fast of expiation; and the 15th ushered in the f of tabernacles, which was celebrated with the usual solennities. It was now unanimously resolved to commence the important task of rebuilding the temple: a voluntary contribution, therefore, was made by each individual according to his ability; timber was procured, and workmen hired, to execute the design with all possible dispatch. B. C. In the second month of the following 534. year, the foundation was laid with great solemnity in the presence of the go vernor, the high priest, and all the congregation while the air resounded with vocal and in strumental music, and the contemplation of God's mercy produced loud and frequent acclamations These expressions of rapturous delight, hows ever, were by no means general; as many of the priests and Levites, who had seen the sumptuous temple that was destroyed with their unhappy city, could not forbear uttering the most sorrows ful lamentations, while they considered the ins feriority of the present plan.. The Samaritans, whom Esar-Haddon, king of Assyria, sent from Cuthath to repeople the country from which he had carried the tell tribes of Israel, now tendered their assistance to wards the completion of the new building. But when the Jews declined their proposal, alleging that it would be a dishonour to their nation, to admit strangers to a participation of their work: these pretended friends were suddenly changed into the most implacable enemies, and eagerly embraced every, opportunity of vilifying and distressing their new neighbours. In consequence of their malicious suggestions, the Jews were represented to Cyrus as a rebellious nation, nation, who would soon establish an independent monarchy, and shake off their allegiance to his crown, unless forbidden to proceed with their building. The work was accordingly stopped, In a great measure, during the remaining five wears of Cyrus's life, and the reign of his successor. On the decease of Cambyses, and the accession of one of the Magi, these accusations were reDewed, and a decree was granted to put a total top to the work, which had been hitherto lowly carried on, amidst various insults and bstructions: and when this decree was rendered oid by the death of the usurper, the Jews were • effectually discouraged, that they did not vince the least desire to resume their enterprise, all a great dearth was sent upon their land as a unishment for their indolence and ingratitude. The prophet Haggai upbraided them upon this scount, and assured them, that if they now pplied themselves zealously to the work, God would not only bless their exertions, but would So make the glory of the second temple exceed at of the first. These promises had the dered effect, and the people cheerfully devoted seir labours to the erection of the sacred fane, nder the guidance of Haggai and Zechariah. The envious Samaritans, emboldened by the access of their former misrepresentations, aplied to Tatnai, governor of Syria and Palestine, forming him of the rapid progress which the ws began to make in their building, and arning him of the evil consequences that would ereafter result from the increasing strength of hat unruly people. The governor immediately @paired to Jerusalem, and demanded by what VOL. II. authority R 1 authority the work was carried on. Zerubbabel and Jeshua readily answered, by adverting to the decree of Cyrus, and producing the sacred vesseli which that monarch had graciously restored fa the express purpose of renewing the ancien worship. Tatnai having received so unequivoca an answer, deemed it expedient to refer thi business to his royal master; and Darius, a the discovery of the edict in the palace Ecbatan, issued out a decree, by which all th grants of the former were ratified, and a seve penalty annexed against such persons as shoul presume to obstruct or contravene it. В. С. This important decree * was no soort 518. communicated to the Jews, than the tem ple began to rise apace, and in the couts of three years was happily finished. The dedici tion was celebrated with equal joy and solemnity and an abundance of sacrifices were offered token of gratitude and adoration to him who ha vouchsafed to deliver his people from captivin and to bring them once more to his hol mountain. From this time they enjoyed a profound pest under their royal patron Darius, and Xen his successor; and in the reign of Artaxerxe the husband of Esther, they received a benetics visit from Ezra, a learned and zealous Jew 4 the house of Aaron, who obtained an amp commission to return to his native country wall as many of his nation as were desirous of accom panying him. * In memory of this decree, which was given at Shushall the Jews gave the name of Shushan to the eastern gate of ontward temple wall, and set up a bas-relief of that metropel ever it, which remained till the time of Vespasian. .... |