Ezra 1-3

The book of Ezra is the story of the return of Israel to Jerusalem, and the rebuilding of the temple. There are many blessings from God in this story, because though his people were rebellious and did not follow God with their hearts, he listened to them out of love when they were in trouble, and brought them back to him. Yet not all the Israelites came back to their homes when the exile ended. Many stayed in their new lands and made a home for themselves amongst the other nations of the time. So the post-exile Judah never did return to the stature and relevance of the pre-exile Judah. Never is this point more eloquently stated than in Ezra 3:11b-12, which, when describing the rebuilding of the temple, states:
"And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy."
The new Jerusalem, though rebuilt, would never again compare to that build by David and Solomon; It is the price Israel paid for its rebellion, and a great illustration of the lasting impact that sin has upon those who choose to disobey God. But as we see through the rest of the account of Ezra and Nehemiah, God is still with his people, and has compassion on the humble.