Rebuilding the Temple at Jerusalem

<p>When the Persian Empire conquered the Babylonians one of</p><p>Cyrus the Persian's first acts was to decree that any Jew who had</p><p>been deported to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar nearly 70 years</p><p>earlier could return to his homeland to help rebuild the temple. His</p><p>proclamation read: The Lord the God of heaven has given me</p><p>all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build</p><p>a temple for him in Jerusalem. Cyrus apparently believed he had</p><p>been divinely authorized to rule many nations with many gods and</p><p>goddesses. He honored the various gods of the nations by rebuilding</p><p>the temples to their gods.</p><p><br></p><p>After Cyrus's proclamation almost 40000 Jews left Babylon</p><p>and headed for Jerusalem. Cyrus sent silver and gold goblets with</p><p>the exiles to be returned to the temple at Jerusalem. These sacred</p><p>vessels were plundered by Babylon and placed in the temple of</p><p>Nebuchadnezzar's god Marduk to declare his dominance over the</p><p>God of the Jews. </p><p><br></p>