The book of Ezra describes the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity. In Ezra 1:5-6, we read that God stirred the hearts of some of the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple, but not all of them chose to do so. There are a few potential reasons why some Jews did not want to return:
1. They were settled and prosperous in Babylon
Many of the Jews had been living in Babylon for two generations by the time the opportunity to return arose. Though originally taken there as captives, they had established careers, businesses, homes and families in Babylon. Life in exile was all they had known. As freed captives they were allowed to settle, build houses, plant vineyards and even do business (Jeremiah 29:5-7). Some became quite prosperous and may not have wanted to uproot their now comfortable lives in a familiar place to undertake the difficult journey back to Jerusalem and start over. The prophet Jeremiah sent them a letter urging them to “build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce” (Jeremiah 29:5) which indicates he knew they were inclined to stay in Babylon where life was stable.
2. The journey would be long and treacherous
The journey from Babylon back to Judah was approximately 500 miles and would take at least four months to travel. The route was rugged and passed through deserts and over mountains. The exiles knew they would face thirst, hunger, extreme weather and the threat of robbers along the way. After living in Babylon for many years, the rigors and risks of the journey must have deterred some from attempting it.
3. Jerusalem was in ruins
When King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had conquered Jerusalem decades earlier, he destroyed the temple, the houses and the protective city walls (2 Kings 25:8-10). Jerusalem was left in utter ruins. Upon their return, the Jewish exiles would have to completely rebuild the temple and the infrastructure of the city. They would face the monumental tasks of clearing rubble, quarrying and transporting new building stones, procuring timber, digging foundations, and raising and finishing new buildings. The weak, elderly and those without construction skills would struggle under these labors. Some simply may not have wanted to undertake such a massive rebuilding project.
4. Hostile neighbors remained
Although Babylon had been judged by God (as foretold by the prophets) and fallen to Persia, the neighboring nations around Judah remained hostile to the Jews. The Samaritans to the north had long been antagonistic toward the Jews. Other nearby peoples such as the Ammonites, Moabites and Edomites had attacked Judah before the exile. Though Persia allowed the Jews to return and rebuild, they would have to be wary of potential harassment and conflict from surrounding peoples who still viewed them as enemies. Some may have been reluctant to return without adequate defense.
5. Assimilation and intermarriage in Babylon
Many of the exiled Jews assimilated into the Babylonian culture, adopting their language, customs and idolatrous practices. Some intermarried with non-Jewish Babylonians against God’s command (Ezra 9:1-2). After decades there, having assimilated and intermarried, some had likely lost their Jewish heritage and no longer identifies as Jews. Without a strong Jewish identity and faith, they had little motivation to return to Jerusalem and reconnect with their roots.
6. Skepticism about God’s promise
God had promised that after 70 years of captivity, the Jews would be free to return to Judah (Jeremiah 25:11-12, 29:10). However, when Cyrus issued his decree after the Medo-Persian conquest, it was a few years shy of the 70 years. Some may have assumed the promise was not really being fulfilled or thought it unwise to return before the full timeframe. Their skepticism about the timing may have held some back until later waves of returning exiles.
7. Concerns over security and violence
The prospect of leaving prosperous and familiar Babylon to journey through the wilderness into a land still filled with hostile peoples was daunting. They knew other exiled Jews had tried to return prematurely during the reigns of Cyrus and Ahasuerus and been attacked and killed by neighboring tribes (Ezra 4). Concerns about adequate security and protection from violence along the way and in the land could reasonably have deterred some from joining the first wave of returnees.
8. Advanced age and illness
Many older Jews who had been exiled as young adults were now elderly and some in poor health after decades in Babylon’s harsh climate. The long and difficult journey back to Jerusalem was simply too much for some at advanced ages and struggling with illness. Remaining in communities where they had home care, support and access to medicine may have made more sense for the frail and elderly.
9. Fear and uncertainty
The prospect of leaving familiar surroundings in Babylon for the unknowns of a destroyed homeland with new rulers must have evoked fear and uncertainty in some. Rebuilding a temple and city from rubble while facing potential opposition from hostile neighbors was daunting. Anxiety about the future may have caused some to hesitate, especially those who had become comfortable in Babylon.
10. Attachment to foreign spouses and children
Jews who had intermarried with Babylonians while in exile faced a dilemma if their spouses did not want to undertake the journey and settlement in Jerusalem. Those with half-Babylonian children may also have been reluctant to take them away from the only culture they knew to a new land. Family ties and affection could understandably have prevented some from separating themselves from loved ones by returning.
While some Jews eagerly left Babylon when given the opportunity, we see many valid reasons why others opted to remain in Babylon instead of returning to Judah. Each person weighed various factors from prosperity, aging and illness to fear, skepticism and family ties. Their personal situations guided decisions on whether to undertake thedifficult journey back to a destroyed homeland or remain in familiar Babylon. Nevertheless, the return of a Jewish remnant to Judah was the start of God fulfilling His promises to the exiles.
