101: The Man who Tore out his Beard (Ezra 4-10)

The embattled returnees discover that rebuilding their temple is fraught with opposition. Like modern day battles about planning permission and with much resistance from hostile locals who moved into the region while the Jews were in exile in Persia, a letter is sent to Persia's king. Jerusalem is in his jurisdiction and so Artaxerxes has the final say on whether the city gets a new temple. The bigger question for Ezra however, is whether his people are living according to God's rules. Without getting their house in order, he believes, the future of their nation is a non starter.

Chapters covered: Ezra 4-10

Written and produced by Chas Bayfield
Music by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins Music
Cover art by Lisa Goff