Sometimes life is just plain hard. The Jews who came back to Jerusalem were sad when they saw the ruins. And they felt tired because it would take a lot of work to rebuild the temple and their homes. But they knew God cared for them, so they didn’t give up. Remember, the bigger the task God puts before you, the more His love will surround you. His faithfulness will never end.
With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: “He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.”
And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.
Yes and no. The Jewish leaders were still under the rule of the Persians for several hundred years. But those who returned did set up their own local government. A 2020 archaeological discovery showed physical proof of Jewish independence. Three minted coins dating from the 4th century BC found in Jerusalem indicated that they had their own system of commerce and government.
Ask a parent to help you look up pictures of famous ruins and find illustrations or pictures of what those places used to look like. What can we learn from looking at ruins?
Dear God, I sometimes think I have to do everything all by myself. Help me remember that You love me and will be by my side whenever I have hard days. Amen.