THE SECOND group to return from Babylon to Jerusalem was led by Ezra the priest, who secured permission from the Persian king Artaxerxes in 458 B.C. It was a four-month journey, which the Jews undertook without an armed guard, something that was unheard of in a time when caravan raiders were likely to prey on unsuspecting travelers -- especially a group loaded down with more than 30 tons of gold and silver!

Then, in Jerusalem, the people confessed to Ezra that many of the Jews, including priests, had married pagan women during the exile. We discuss the Law concerning marriage with unbelievers and note that this was not a racial thing, it was a command against intermarrying with pagans. It was not an easy thing, but something that was necessary, especially for those who served in the Temple.

Our free mobile app for iOS and Android brings these studies right to your smartphone or tablet! Links to the iTunes App Store and Google Play are on the main page at www.GilbertHouse.org.

Update: The 2019 SkyWatchTV Wars of the Gods Tour of Israel has added a special visit to Qumran, where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered, where Jim Barfield of the Copper Scroll Project (www.CopperScrollProject.com) will show us some of the sites where he believes some of the most important religious artifacts in history may be buried.

The tour flies from New York City to Tel Aviv Sunday, May 12, 2019, and returns Thursday, May 23. If you want to extend your trip a few days to join us in Jordan, you'd return Monday, May 27, 2019. For more information, log on to LipkinTours.com -- but don't wait!

'Realms of Stone,' the fourth in Sharon's series of supernatural thrillers The Redwing Saga is available now at Amazon! See www.TheRedwingSaga.com for more information.

Derek's new book 'Last Clash of the Titans' is shipping now! For more information, log on to www.LastClashOfTheTitans.com.

For the complete Gilbert House Fellowship archive, go to www.spreaker.com/show/gilbert-house-fellowship.