When they consider biblical prophecies and their fulfillment, many Christians primarily think about the coming of Jesus. And they aren’t be wrong. Around Christmas time, we hear how the Old Testament messianic prophesies are fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ. On Good Friday, we hear Psalm 22, which Jesus quoted from the cross. This is the “big picture” of biblical prophecy. All of Scripture testifies about Christ (Luke 24:27). Nevertheless, in a very real sense, the return of the Jews from captivity to the land of Israel was also a prophecy to be fulfilled. According to God’s plan, this happened so that the Messiah could be born in Bethlehem. Books like Ezra and Nehemiah connect the promised return to Jerusalem to the “big picture” of God accomplishing the salvation of the world through His Son.

During the exile to Babylon, it seemed as if the Lord had abandoned His people. The Book of Daniel, which records events during the Babylonian captivity, tells of a remnant of the Lord’s people who remained faithful to His Word. During the trial and hardship of the captivity, the Lord did not forget His people. He remembered His promise to dwell among them.