The first wave of returning Israelites start to rebuild the temple. Eventually a second wave comes, including a priest named Ezra. By the time he arrives, God’s people are once again failing to trust the Lord. They have intermarried with those who do not trust God, leading to syncretism—a mix of true and false worship.

Israel’s unfaithfulness troubles Ezra. He recognizes that God is graciously blessing them with this season of restoration, yet Israel still refuses to trust God. So Ezra seeks God’s grace and preaches God’s Word.

Another leader named Nehemiah eventually returns to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. In the following text Israel gathers to hear God’s Word. The people frankly acknowledge that they are still slaves even in their own land—the exile is not ultimately over. They are slaves in their land because they are still slaves to their sin.