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The Jewish canon ends the Hebrew Scriptures after the return from the\nBabylonian Exile. While the canon continues for Christians, there is\nnot much Scripture for the 500 years between the return from Babylon\nand the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. There are many events that\noccurred in this time, and placing them into a context is important.
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\nThe return from exile was did not result in all the Jews returning, nor\ndid they return to a land empty of their kinsmen. Many Jews remained in\nBabylon, which would remain there for many years after, even compiling\nthe authoritative Babylonian Talmud there. Many lower-class people were\nallowed to stay in Israel when they were taken into exile, and the\ninflux of that many people posed problems for them. After the conquest\nof the northern tribes, foreigners came into that land and promoted a\nform of worship that would become the Samaritans.
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\nThe temple had been destroyed, and the rebuilt temple was only a shadow\nof its original glory. After its completion, Ezra gathered the Jews and\nread them the Law, which chastened them and convinced them to return to\nthe worship of the true God.

\nThe closing theme is Gerard Satamian's Chansons Sans Paroles Op. 2 Pastorale, from the album Dry Fig Trees. www.magnatune.com