Ezra was a well educated man, who knew the Revelation of Moses well. God's hand was over him and king Artaxerxes found favor in him. Priests, singers, Levites, temple slaves, and temple security guards went with Ezra to Jerusalem. This was in Artaxerxes' 7th year of reigning.
Artaxerxes wrote Ezra a letter explaining his approval of this voyage. He gave him silver, gold, and donated offerings to purchase bulls, rams, lambs, and other ingredients for offerings. When they arrived, they waited 3 days then silver, gold, and vessels were weighed. Eleazar, Levites Jozabad and Noadiah, and Meremoth the priest did the sorting. The Israelites who were once exiled offered a whole burnt offering to God, which included 12 bulls, 96 rams, and 77 goats. Twelve goats were also sacrificed for an absolution offering. The leaders came to Ezra and told him the people of Israel hadn't kept distance from their neighbors with all their pagan ideas (Caananites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites). Some daughters married into their families and when Ezra learned this happened, he ripped his clothes in distress!!! He even pulled out some of his hair. During the evening sacrifice, Ezra dropped to his knees and prayed to God. He was so ashamed by what the Israelites did and their sin was so abundant. They threw God's commands to the wind and did what they wanted. Ezra asked God if he was angry enough to wipe the Israelites out completely. As Ezra prayed, a large number of people gathered around him. Shecaniah spoke on their behalf and admitted what they did, saying not all hope was list. He suggested making a promise to God agreeing to do away with all the wives and children. Ezra took initiative and had all the Israelite leaders, priests, Levies, and the people of Israel swear to carry out what Shecaniah proposed.
A summons was sent out for all those exiled throughout Judah and Jerusalem to meet in Jerusalem. If they weren't there within 3 days, the person's possessions would be taken away and given to those who were previously exiled. All the men from Judah and Benjamin arrived in time and were anxiously aggravated about the relentless rain. Ezra stood before them and urged them to confess and separate from their foreign wives. The whole group of men said they'd obey. The men suggested their leaders act on their behalf and have everyone who lives in the cities come at a specific time since there was so many people and it was the rainy season. Elders and judges from that city would come with them. The only people who opposed this plan were Jonathan and Jahzeiah. The plan was put into action and Ezra chose family heads and sat down with them on the 1st day of the 10th month. By the first day of the 1st month, they were finished going through all the men who took a foreign wife. The men all promised to divorce their wives and this was sealed by a handshake. Because of their guilt, they sacrificed a ram for a compensation offering.
Work, by it's very nature, is holy. The biblical story is dominated by people who have jobs in gardening, shepherding, the military, politics, carpentry, tent making, homemaking, fishing, and more. Nehemiah is one of these. He started out as a government worker in the employ of a foreign king. The he became-and this is the work he tells us in these memoirs-a building contractor, called into rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem."
~Eugene Peterson
In the month of Kislev (http://www.inner.org/times/kislev/kislev.htm) in the 20th year, Nehemiah was in the palace complex at Susa, where he worked as a cup bearer. His brother, Hanini, had just arrived with some fellow Jews. They told him how the living conditions of the Israelites were pathetic and the city wall was in ruins. Nehemiah mourned and fasted over this and prayed to God.
Artaxerxes was in his 20th year of reigning and it was the month of Nisan. Nehemiah served wine to the king and Artaxerxes asked him if he was sick or depressed. Nehemiah grew agitated and stated, "Long live the king! And why wouldn't I be depressed when the city, the city where all my family is buried, is in ruins and the city gates have been reduced to cinders?" Artazerxes asked how long the work would take and when he would be coming back. Nehemiah gave him a time and received approval. He asked the king to proved him with letters to the governors across the Euphrates stating his travel was authorized through to Judah. He also asked that Asaph supply timber for the Temple fortress, the city wall, and the house where he'd be living. The king even sent a cavalry escort with Nehemiah. Sanballet the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite were angry anyone would even pursue the interested of the Israelites. Once in Jerusalem, Nehemiah went past the valley gate toward the dragons fountain to the dung gate. He then crossed the fountain gate to the kings pool but the donkey he rode didn't have enough room to go through. Nehemiah inspected the city wall in secret. He then told the Jews, priests, nobles, and local officials how God and king Artaxerxes supported him coming to help repair the city wall. The people were ready to get started!
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