©2003 Pastor Tom Miles

1-14: Here now we have a list of the ones that accompanied Ezra to Jerusalem.  It does not give numbers of women and children that might have been with but the number of men was almost 1500.  And the way in which they are recorded lends one to believe it is the numbering of families, which would include women.  But as we see in verse one the emphasis is on the head's of their father’s households, which would be the male. But we can be assured that women and children, even little children accompanied them for it is mentioned in the prayer of verse 21.

15-20: Next the Levites, priests and Nethinim are added to the list because Ezra made camp for three days by the river that flows to Ahava.  And while camping he noticed the lack of Levites, priests, and Nethinim (temple servants) and so he sent for some to join them.  Ezra did not want to journey to Jerusalem without the Levites and so his words sent forth by the messengers to gather them found a welcome and nearly 260 joined them.

21-23: And than once they were all gathered, Ezra proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava.  Ezra felt it necessary to go before the Lord in fasting and prayer to make sure they had God’s full blessing and guidance.  They fasted and prayed for protection on their way because the journey would be long and many evils could befall them and Ezra had not requested from the king an armed escort but instead left in full trust of God’s protection of them.

24-30: Now after the time of prayer and fasting Ezra appointed Sherebiah & Hashabiah two leading priests along with ten of their brothers dividing out amongst them the silver, gold, and other items offered up for the temple of God.  The priests were entrusted with a very large amount.  It has been said that the total would be close to $800,000.  It can be believed that these 12 men were very trustworthy, yet, Ezra reminds them that they are holy to the Lord and that which they have been entrusted with is holy also.  So they must keep watch on it till they arrive and entrust them to the leaders of the priests and heads of the houses of Israel in Jerusalem.  Does this sound familiar at all to anything for us today?  We have been entrusted with this life, its possessions, God’s Word, and the command to share it with the world!  Father, help me to always keep a watch on that which You have given me and keep me always holy before You and man!

31-34: And so the journey takes up again and after four months they arrive at Jerusalem and give God the glory for protecting them from ambushes, and enemies along the way.  And on the fourth day after arriving all the possessions they carried with them were weighed out in the temple of God by Meremoth and Eleazar and along with them were the Levites, Jozabad and Noadiah.  They did this so that everything would be found in proper order.  Is this the way we do things also?  Do we bring our possessions to the house of God for His blessing and full use thereof and so that it might be recorded and written down as it was in verse 34.  And it is done so there will be an eternal record of all that which we have done for the kingdom of God.

35-36: We must also remember that those returning to Israel were children of those taken captive some 70 years before.  And now they are in the home of their fathers and they offer 12 bulls, 96 rams, and 77 lambs as burnt offerings to God  the God of Israel. The bulls were for the tribes of Israel; the male goats totally 12 were a sin offering.  And once this was done the king's edicts were delivered the proper people and as it was said in verse 23, they fasted and God heard them, and God answered them, and they returned to the house of God in Jerusalem!

Father, hear our prayer and answer us also when we come before you in truth and honesty.  Cause us to see the difference between a prayer of necessity and one of love in Jesus name amen!

Where Jesus is Lord!
Living Vine Ministries
Pastor Thomas Miles
For instructions on being Born Again click on banner at top of page.
Thank you for reading.