The Journey to Jerusalem--The Samaritans--Commencement of the Rebuilding of the Temple--Interruption of the Work--Darius--Haggai and Zechariah--Completion of the Temple--Contest between Zerubbabel and Joshua--Intermarriage with Heathens--The Judæans in Babylonia--Ezra visits Jerusalem--Dissolution of the Heathen Marriages--The Book of Ruth--Attacks by Sanballat--Nehemiah--His Arrival in Jerusalem--Fortification of the Capital--Sanballat's Intrigues against Nehemiah--Enslavement of the Poor--Nehemiah's Protest--Repopulation of the Capital--The Genealogies--The Reading of the Law--The Feast of Tabernacles--The Great Assembly--The Consecration--Departure of Nehemiah--Action of Eliashib--Withholding the Tithes--Malachi, the Last of the Prophets--Nehemiah's Second Visit to Jerusalem--His measures. 537-420 B. C. E. After forty-nine years of exile, in the same month (Nisan) in which their ancestors had departed from Egypt some eight or nine centuries before, the Judæans now left the land of Babylonia. It was the spring of the year (537) when they marched forth to take possession of their dearly-beloved home, of the much longed-for Jerusalem. It was a significant moment, carrying thousands of years in its bosom. Not like trembling slaves, just freed from their chains, did they go forth, but full of gladness, their hearts beating high with lofty hopes and swelling with enthusiasm. Singers, with stringed instruments and cymbals, accompanied them on their way, and they uttered new songs of praise, beginning and ending with the words: "Give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever." Those Judæans who remained in Babylonia--and they were not a few--rich merchants and landed proprietors--evinced their sympathy for their brethren by escorting them part of the way, and by presenting them with rich gifts for the new buildings in their own country. Cyrus sent an escort of a thousand mounted soldiers to defend the Judæans from the attacks of predatory tribes upon the way, and also to ensure their being able to take possession of Judæa. The prophecy but lately spoken was now to be realised: "In joy shall ye depart, and in peace shall ye be led home." (ISAIAH lv. 12.) In peace and in safety the travellers completed the six hundred miles from Babylonia to Judæa, protected by the Persian escort. The exodus from Babylonia, unlike the one from Egypt, has left no reminiscences; it seemed needless to record the various halting-places, as, in all probability, no noteworthy incident occurred on the way. "God led them by the right path, and brought them to the place of their longing." (PSALM cvii. 7, 30.)