rendered.

been born in captivity and had become rich, were unwilling to leave Babylon. The aid they They, however, raised large subscriptions for the re-building of the temple, and committed to Zerubbabel their free-will offerings.

advanced.

Zerubbabel When Zerubbabel reached Jerusalem, Cyrus appointed him governor of Judæa, and gave the Jews full exercise of their laws and religion.

Jews, how governed.

From this time forth the Jews were a free republic, tributary to the Persian empire; and were governed by one of their own people appointed by the king of Persia,

first care.

Zerubbabel's Zerubbabel's first care at Jerusalem was to lay the foundation of the new temple on the site of the former one. (B.C. 540.)

structed.

The work ob- The work proceeded but slowly at first, because the Samaritans offered every sort of obstruction.

thereof.

The cause They had requested the honour of a share in this great work; and,

being refused because they were a mixed people from Assyria, were very bitter against the Jews.

why arrested.

The building. During the reign of Cyrus their obstructions consisted chiefly in assaults and threats; but on the death of that prince they induced his successor to stop the work altogether.

arrested.

How long No further progress was made till the reign of Dari'us or Ahasuērus, who not only restored the edict of Cyrus, but greatly encouraged the Jews in their pious work. (B.c. 515.)

Temple, when Six years after the accession of Dari'us the temple was finished; exactly 30 years after the foundation had been laid. (B.C. 511.)

described.

The temple The new temple was very inferior to the former one, being a plain stone edifice, more like a citadel than a temple.

How it was The interior was, however, de

decorated.

corated with many of the magnificent

A.C. 511-479.]

ornaments taken from Solomon's temple; and the 5400 gold and silver vessels restored by Cyrus.

when he died.

Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel lived to see the temple completed, and died in the early part of the reign of Xerxes, leaving behind him seven sons and one daughter.

The first High

priest.

Section II.

JESHUA.

High Priest from B.C. 511 to 479.

Jeshua or Joshua was the

first High-priest after the return of the Jews from captivity.

care.

His first His first care on reaching Jerusalem with Zerubbabel was to restore the daily sacrifices, and to regulate the offices and orders of the priests.

How he aids
Zerubbabel.

He greatly aided Zerubbabel in inciting the people to build the temple, and in cheering them amidst their numerous difficulties and obstructions.

he died.

Jeshua, when He lived to see the temple completed, and died in the early part of Xerxes' reign, leaving Joachim, his son, High-priest in his stead.

the time.

Prophets at Two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, lived at the same period, who exhorted the people to perseverance, and contributed greatly to the progress of the work.

Section III.

HAGGAI AND ZECHARIAH, PROPHETS.

From B.C. 543 to 476.

Who was

Haggai,

Haggai was

one of the 12 minor prophets, born at Babylon, who accompanied Zerubbabel and the first returning exiles to Jerusalem.

builders.

Cheers the He told the builders not to be down-hearted because their work was unequal in splendour to the former temple, inasmuch as it should be much more highly honoured.

What he meant.

He meant that the Messiah, in person, would visit it, an honour far greater than all the decorations and valuables which had been lost.

Haggai.

Death of Nothing is known of the death of Haggai further than that it occurred during the early part of the reign of Xerxes.

Zechariah.

Who was Zechariah, one of the 12 minor prophets, was the son of Barachi'ah, and the grandson of Iddo.*

Where born. He was born at Babylon, and was still young when he returned with Zerubbabel to Jerusalem, and began to prophesy. (B.C. 543.)

dictions.

His chief pre- He predicted the evils which would fall on the Jews for killing the Messiah; their admission by baptism

There are four persons of the name of Zechariah mentioned in Scripture:

1. Zechariah, a king of Israel, slain by Shallum. This was the fourth and last descendant of Jehu.

2. Zechariah, the prophet, murdered by Joash.

3. Zechariah, son of Barachiah, who went up with Zerubbabel from Babylon; and

4. Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, mentioned in St. Luke i. 59.