Usually included with the writings of the Bible is the story of Daniel, from the 6th-2th century BCE. The story of the return from the exile can be found in Ezra-Nehemiah, a 4th century BCE writing. Finally, the work of Chronicles, 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles, from the 5th–3rd century BCE rounded out the Hebrew Bible.
The return from the Exile
The return from the Exile (Jer 3:15-3:18)
“‘I will give you shepherds
After my own heart.
They will feed you
With knowledge.
They will feed you
With understanding.
When you have multiplied,
You will have increased in the land.’
Says Yahweh.
‘In those days,
They shall no more say.
‘The ark of the covenant of Yahweh.’
It shall not come to mind.
It will not be remembered.
It will not be missed.
There will not be another one made.
At that time
Jerusalem shall be called
The throne of Yahweh.
All nations shall gather to it.
In the presence of Yahweh,
In Jerusalem,
They shall no more stubbornly follow
Their own evil will.
In those days
The house of Judah shall
Join the house of Israel.
Together they shall come
From the land of the north
To the land that I gave your ancestors
For a heritage.’”
Yahweh speaks via Jeremiah about what was going to happen in the future after they returned from the Exile. They would have good shepherd rulers with knowledge and understanding leading them. They would increase and multiply in the promised land of their ancestors. In a strange sort of comment, the Ark of the Covenant would be replaced by the city of Jerusalem as the throne of Yahweh. Somehow they were going to forget and not miss the Ark of the Covenant. Many nations would come to Jerusalem. This sounds like it was written at the time of the Exile about a future hope for Jerusalem. The returned Israelites would no longer follow their own evil ways, as the house of Judah would come together with the northern tribes of Israel. They would enjoy the land that was given to them as the heritage of their ancestors.
The return from the Exile (Isa 14:1-14:2)
“Yahweh will have compassion
On Jacob.
He will again choose Israel.
He will set them
In their own land.
Aliens will join them.
They will attach themselves
To the house of Jacob.
The nations will take them.
They will bring them
To their place.
The house of Israel
Will possess these nations,
As male and female slaves,
In Yahweh’s land.
They will take captive
Those who were their captors.
They will rule over
Those who oppressed them.”
Obviously this oracle assumes that the Israelites were in Exile, which did not happen during the life of Isaiah. Yahweh was going to have compassion on Jacob, the Israelites. He was going to set them in their own land with the help of other nations. Other non-Israelites would join them, the so called aliens or strangers. Then the house of Israel would have its own male and female slaves from the other countries. In fact, their former captors would become their captives. Thus they would rule over those who oppressed them. I am not so sure whether this last part ever happened. They were allowed to have slaves and other countries helped them. Those aliens in Israel would have to follow the Israelite law if they wanted to stay in Israel.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 