prophetic impetus of Haggai and Zechariah, lay the initial foundation of the temple (Ezra 3) culminating in the rebuilt temple (Ezra 6). Renewed worship could not get underway without a rebuilt temple. The next part of the story takes place some half-century later with the second return under Ezra, the priest and scribe (Ezra 7–10), in 458 BC. His return entailed a reinstatement of the law of God. The temple had been completed, but the people seemed to stagnate without any real sense of purpose.