The Providence of God in Post-Exilic Judaism

In God's Hall of Heroes are the names of Jews who left captivity in Babylon for responsibility in Jerusalem. God had called them back home to do a difficult job: to rebuild the temple and the city and restore the Jewish community in their own land. The stories of these faithful men and women are recorded for us in the books Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. Here we see the providence of God in Post-Exilic Judaism. The life of a believer is precious because God will direct his pathway in this life.

What is providence? Before any study of providence can be commenced an understanding of providence must first be grasped. Many have come to false ideas of what providence is. Deism leaves the matter of providence alone by believing God sits back, passively observing but, never intervening. Strong Calvinistic teaching claims that all is predestined; therefore every action is because God willed it. Everything is providence. A Pentecostal believes that every good thing that happens is God's reward for the righteous. The definition of providence used in this post is that the doctrine of divine providence has reference to that preservation, care and direction which God exercises over all things He has created, in order that they may complete the ends for which they were created.

A study of the providence of God in Post-Exilic Judaism begins with an understanding of the time period. Post-Exilic period dates are somewhere around 536-400 BC. This is the fifth century and More than a century before, the Prophet Isaiah had warned the Jews that the people of Judah would be taken captive by Babylon and punished for their sins (Isa. 6:11-12;11:11-12; 39:5-7). The Post-Exilic period includes such dates as 597 which was when Nebuchadnezzar sent into exile 7,000 "men of might" and a thousand craftsmen (2 Kings 24:10-16); and 586 when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and the temple and exiled the rest of the Jews in Babylon (2 Kings 25:1-21). The post-exilic period also includes the year 538 when Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, conqueror of Babylon, issued a decree that permitted the exiled Jews to return to their land and rebuild their temple(II Chronicles 36:22,23). Other important dates to remember include 520-516 BC which is when the temple is rebuilt, 458 BC when a group of captives returns under the leadership of Ezra, and 444 BC when the wall around Jerusalem is rebuilt by Nehemiah. There were seven Persian Kings that ruled during the Post-Exilic period. Cyrus, founder of the Persian Empire ruled and had a policy which included returning the people and their gods back to their homelands. Other Kings were Cambyses, Darius I, Xerxes (mentioned in Ezra 4:6 and was king of Persia during the time of Esther), Artaxerzes (reign begins in Ezra 7 and goes to the end of Ezra and the entire book of Nehemiah), Xerxes II, and Darius II.  

Three specific books in the Bible take place during the Post-Exilic period, the first of these books is Ezra. The Providence of God in Ezra is first seen in 1:1-4. Here is recorded the release of the captives. The returning of the Jews to their land demonstrates that God is faithful to His covenant. In spite of their sins,these exiles were God's chosen people and children of the covenant He had made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob(Gen. 12:1-3). The nation had broken the covenant, but the Lord had remained faithful to His Word. God providentially directed the people of Israel back to the land he had promised them. God is in control of the nations. It was the Lord who raised up Nebuchadnezzar—"My servant" (Jer. 25:9; 27:6; 43:10)—to chasten the people of Judah; and then He raised up Cyrus to defeat the Babylonians and establish the Persian Empire. The Lord called Cyrus "My shepherd" (Isaiah 44:28) and "His anointed" (Isaiah 45:1), and Isaiah prophesied that Cyrus would liberate the exiles and enable them to rebuild their city and temple (v. 13). The release of the captives was a direct demonstration of God’s providence in all things.

The book of Ezra also records the return of the remnant (Ezra 1:5-2:70). God worked in the hearts of the Jews and gave them a desire to return to Judah and restore the relationship with God they once had. Ezra was instrumental in reviving the people's interest in God's Word. In Ezra 7:10 we read, "For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel." Ezra loved God's Word and loved to teach others God's Word. In fact, some scholars believe that Ezra wrote Psalm 119, the great Psalm about the Word of God. Everything in God's graft rises and falls with leadership. When God wants to complete something, He calls devoted men to challenge His people and lead the way. Ezra was the man in this time period God providentially set aside to lead His people.

Ezra was not alone as a leader during this time period; God also providentially set aside Nehemiah to lead His people. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah cover three major events. The first of these events is the rebuilding of the temple discussed in Ezra 3. The next major event was the restoration of the law spoken of in Ezra 7 and Nehemiah 8. Finally there was the rebuilding of the wall which was  a major focus in the book of Nehemiah. The book of Nehemiah begins with Nehemiah’s return to Jerusalem (1-2:11). In 2:12-3:32 the building of the wall is commenced. The wall is eventually completed in spite of opposition (7:5-13:3). 7:5-13:3 record other events during Nehemiah’s first term of office and 13:4-31 record Nehemiah’s second term of office.

The final book that takes place during the Post-Exilic period is the book of Esther. The book of Esther offers some unique interpretational conundrums. Esther chapter two serves as a good illustration of this. Did Esther do wrong to appear before the king in a beauty contest? Was Mordecai at fault when he charged Esther not to show “her people nor her kindred”? These are just a few of the difficult questions raised in the book of Esther. The answers to these questions vary among Bible scholars from the affirmative to the negative. However, where ever one may stand on these issues the reality is that God is overruling in these events. God providentially is leading Esther and Mordecai to fulfill his purpose even when they were far away from Him. God is leading a man (Mordecai) who is not willing to be led. In the book we see God move to direct the intentions of King Xerxes, Mordecai, Esther, and Haman to fulfill His plan. It is no accident that Esther is given the most prominent place, or that she is shown favor and given every consideration. There are no accidents with God. Despite the mistakes of Mordecai and Esther, God would use them to save a nation. The book of Esther presents a powerful exhibition of God’s providence.  Some of the slightest details cited in the book turn out to be indispensable links in the chain of events.

Through the events in Post-Exilic Judaism we can see the hand of God providentially directing. Undeniably God is providentially in control. This is the sweet certainty we have in his sovereignty. 

Posted by Caleb