SCRIPTURE: EZRA 8
LIST OF THE FAMILY HEADS RETURNING WITH EZRA (vs. 1-14)
All the family heads who came up with Ezra from Babylon during the reign of king Artaxerxes were listed and registered.
THE RETURN TO JERUSALEM (vs. 15-35)
They assembled and camped together at the canal that flows towards Adva. Since there were no Levites, Ezra sent men to Iddo, the leader in Casiphia to bring attendants for the house of the Lord. They brought Sherebiah and his sons and brothers, 18 men and Hashabiah, Jeshaiah, his brothers, nephews and 20 men. They also brought 220 temple registered servants.
Then Ezra proclaimed a feast and humbled themselves before God and asked the Lord for a safe journey with all possession being brought. Then Ezra weighed out 650 talents of silver, silver articles weighing 100 talents, 100 talents of gold, 20 bowls of gold valued at 1000 darics and 2 fine articles of polished bronze as precious as gold. The priests and Levites received them and upon arriving in Jerusalem, they accounted everything that were entrusted to the priests and Levites.
The exile who had returned from captivity sacrificed burnt offerings to God of Israel: 12 bulls for all Israel, 96 rams, 77 male lambs and as a sin offering, 12 male goats. They also delivered the king’s orders to the royal satraps and to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, who then gave assistance to the people and to the house of God.
THOUGHTS:
The people carried the treasuries of the Lord faithfully and delivered it to the temple at the end of the journey. Can you be faithful to “weigh in” with what God had entrusted to you? God has entrusted us with spiritual treasures and at the judgment seat of Christ, we will give an account of our stewardship.
Ezra told the king that they would not require a military escort for the Lord would take care of them. Are you courageous enough to proclaim your faith in God’s protection as a testimony to the world?
God called Levites to a special service but few were willing to volunteer when their services were needed. So Ezra halted his way to Jerusalem to recruit the Levites. God has gifted each one of us with abilities so that we can make a contribution to God’s kingdom work. Don’t wait for people to recruit you. Look for opportunities to volunteer so that his work won’t be hold back.
Ezra used fasting and prayer as assurance for God’s guidance and protection. Are you praying seriously or superficially? Without serious prayer, we are making God as a quick pharmacist with pain killers for our every ailment. Only serious prayer will be answered with blessings from God.