Faithfulness can be summed up in two three words: tabernacle, wall and gates. Ezra and Nehemiah epitomized this livelihood. Let us pick it up with Jeremiah. This guy is just ONE of the seers/prophets that had warned the Nation of Israel of their impending destruction. It took some time, but God had enough. They finally hit the wall after years of disobedience. Theeir current king, Rehoboam, made some major mistakes (sins). He changed the Sabbath and one of the Feasts. What?! These were to be followed for ALL TIME—just the way Yahweh laid them out. Yeah, this was the straw that broke the camel’s back. God was soooooo mad, He sent the whole Nation (Israel and Judah) into captivity. Along came the Babylonians (God’s servants) and away they went. The entire story can be read in the earlier books of the Gospel (Bible). Jeremiah, Kings, Hosea, etc. God told them to do several things while they were spending those seventy years in captivity (Jeremiah 29). He expected them to prosper, grow, plant, have children, pray and seek the peace of the city they were being carried off to. After they did the time (for their crimes), they were to return home and God’s plans (imaginations) would continue to bless them. His promises are true! He can’t lie! He will not lie! Picture this… 70 years of trials have pass, and God has spoken to the Persian king (the Persians are now in power ) to let His people After 70 years, they go home. Released. Freed. This time, the king was obedient (Judah was released first). Only a remnant made it back. This should explain the references you have read in the B’rit Hadashah (New Testament) and Torah Teachings (Law) of the “Lost sheep of Israel.” Jesus mentioned this group of people. So did the older section of the Bible that has been called the Old Testament all our lives. Well, the first wave made it back, and the rebuilding began. Judean remnants started building the tabernacle--in the same spot, and on the same foundation as the previous tabernacle. **THIS SPEAKS LOUDLY—TO THE ONES WHO ARE HEARING** God wants you to build your life on His foundation that He had already laid. Don’t do it your own way. The builders met INTENSE OPPOSITION. These “opposers” were intent, focused and adamant on keeping that temple and those walls, vrom being erected AGAIN. They knew that if these people were to get strong (again), they would not follow the way(s) of the world (pagans), and their tributes would only be to the Israelite God—not the ruler of the day. They (Samarians) were nervous and scared.Meanwhile, back at the ranch (where Ezra was), Ezra had a burden to go back (to Jerusalem) to get the temple finished, and to (these are the hi-lites) get God’s people back on track. The (now Persian) king knew this about Ezra. He sent him back. This was the second wave. Ezra took with him Levites, etc., that will assist with the restoration. Once again, there is MUCH MORE GOING ON. You REALLY NEED TO READ THE BOOK! It is better than the movie. When Ezra returned, he was told that the priests were not following the purposeful Teachings of their God, had married pagan wives, and they had children. This too was in direct rebellion of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob covenant laid out in the Torah (Teaching/Gospel). Ezra had become so annoyed, and infuriated, he sat down and tore his clothing. He was in disbelief. He sat there all that day. Eventually, he told those men that “their actions are the reasons that nation were in the shape they were in now!” As Ezra sat there in deep sorrow and doubt, the men and the remnant surrounded him and repented. They promised to send their wives and their children back to their land(s); and this they did. Life was better, but far from complete. The temple was finished later, and sacrifices had been restored. Truth and order was returning to Jerusalem. What happened next? Read on in Ezra 2 (uhh, shall I say) Nehemiah.