The Jews have once again settled in the promised land, and Ezra receives a report that leaves him utterly dismayed; the Jews (priest, Levites, rulers, and commoners) had intermarried with the idolatrous heathen neighbors exposing themselves and their children to the possibility of idolatry. Many years ago God had warned Israel via Moses not to do this because it would lead them astray (Exodus 34:11-12; Deut. 7:1-6); however, they disobeyed and it was one of the major factors in their downfall which resulted in their captivity. Apparently, the people had not learned from the sinful mistakes of their forefathers; for now, they were repeating this disastrous act.
Upon hearing the report, in a display of overwhelming grief, Ezra sat down appalled in the temple, tore his garments and plucked off the hair of his head and beard. Those that saw Ezra and realized the seriousness of his action joined in the lamentations of Ezra.
At the time of the evening sacrifice, Ezra changed his posture and knelt in prayer with outstretched hands before God. In his prayer, Ezra voiced his shame, the ever-increasing sins of the Jews and the consequence of their sinful actions, God’s amazing grace and favor extended to the remnant in returning them to their homeland, his gratitude to the righteous God and their dependence on God’s mercy.
The gleaning points that I received from this chapter are:
- Time does not erase the Laws of God
- God’s law does not change.
- Disobedience to the Laws of God should cause believers to grieve.
- Repentance is needed when we sin.
- Knowing God’s laws and the consequence of disobedience should cause believers to cease sinning.
Because of our sinful nature, believers need God’s mercy to be continually extended to them.
Chapter 7 talked about the departure from Babylon of the second group of Jews and their arrival in Jerusalem; now, chapter 8 shares that journey.
This chapter opens with verses 2-14 recording the genealogy of those that traveled to Jerusalem with Ezra; however, before their departure when all the Jews assembled at the designated departure location Ezra discovered that there were no Levites among them. Thus, he sent a delegation to Casiphia to recruit some Levites who would be involved with the temple ministry upon their arrival in Jerusalem. This resulted in thirty-eight Levites and two hundred twenty Nethinim joining the group, and accordingly, Ezra was able to give twelve priests and twelve Nethinim the responsibility of handling, guarding and transporting the valuable gifts and monies that would be used in the temple.
Ezra had boasted highly about God’s supreme power and faithfulness; therefore, he did not want to ask the king to send a military escort with them. However, he and the traveling Jews fasted and prayed before leaving and asked God for traveling mercies. Despite the 900 miles perilous journey and the marauding plundering tribes of the desert with God’s hands on them the group arrived unmolested in Jerusalem where they were able to deliver and record the gifts and monies for the temple, offer burnt offerings and convey to the nearby Persian satraps the king’s wishes for continued assistance for which they complied.
The gleaning points from this chapter are:
- In life, we have a beginning, an end and the unknown in-between which we can call “the journey.”
- Ministry gifts and offices are needed for the work of the ministry.
- There is no comparison; God’s help always supersedes that of man.
- Prayer and fasting before starting an assignment are always advisable and beneficial.
- God cares for His people; He provides traveling mercies.
- Offer thanks to God for answered prayers and all that He does for you.
Sixty years have passed, and another Persian king named Artaxerxes graciously authorized Ezra who was known as a priest, scribe, and scholar to escort a contingent of 17,000 willing, likeminded, exiled Jews to Jerusalem. Also, the decree given to Ezra revealed monies from the king’s treasury was given to him for the maintenance of worship, he had the ability to receive monies from other Persian officials along their travel route, he was given the power to establish a judicial system with judges and magistrates, tax exemption for the priest, Levites and temple helpers was to be given, and punishment was to be administered to those that opposed the king’s decree and disobeyed the laws of God. In closing the decree, Artaxerxes like his predecessors acknowledged his respect for the God of the Jews and his need for God’s benevolence.
After journeying from Babylon for approximately five months the group arrives safely in Jerusalem, and Ezra proclaims “Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem: And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king’s mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the Lord my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me” (Ezra 7:27-28).
The gleaning points that I received from this chapter are:
- It may take years for the plan of God to be fulfilled.
- An excellent pattern to follow is found in Ezra 7:10 “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments” Ezra prepared himself for the task of instructing, reforming and edifying others before his departure. Thus, he learned the law, he practiced it, and then he taught it.
- In the book of Ezra the Jews, Zerubbabel, and Ezra were shown favor blessings and opportunities by King Cyrus, King Darius and King Artaxerxes and these kings caused others to respond positively to the work of the Lord. Hence, favor, blessings, and opportunities are yours when the hand of the Lord is upon you.
- ALWAYS acknowledge what God does in your life.
The request for King Darius to investigate the legitimacy of the Jews’ claim that King Cyrus gave a decree for the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem and also generously contributed to it was done and found to be authentic. Thus, King Darius instructed the Persian governor not to interfere with the rebuilding, but underwrite its expenses out of the royal treasury and to punish anyone that rebelled against his edict. Plus, King Darius requested the Jews to pray for the wellbeing of him and his sons.
After four years the rebuilding project was completed, the order of the priest and Levites was reestablished, and the dedicatory service of the temple was celebrated with great jubilation and sacrifices, followed several weeks later by the observance of the Passover and the Feast of the Unleavened Bread.
The incredible gleaning points that I received from this chapter are:
- God’s plans for His people will come to fruition.
- God will make your opposition assist you in your righteous endeavors.
- Rejoice in the blessings and provisions of God.
- God is a God of order; therefore, correct disorder.
- Even heathens acknowledge they need divine intervention in their lives.
Fifteen years have passed, and the temple has not been completed; however, in the second year of King Darius’s reign, God sends Words to the Jews through the prophets Haggai and Zechariah which encourages and inspires the Jews to complete the work despite the previous command for them to stop by King Artaxerxes.
When the Persian opposition heard that the work had been restarted, they confronted the Jews wanting to know who authorized them to do the work and who were the principal promoters and directors of this undertaking. Also, they sent an unbiased letter to King Darius requesting him to investigate the legitimacy of the Jews’ claim that King Cyrus gave a decree for this rebuilding to be done and also generously contributed to it.
The gleaning points that I received from this chapter are:
- There are times in the life of believers when they stop doing the work that God has assigned them to do, and God sends a Word that motivates and revives them. For the Jews, it took the admonishment of Haggai and Zechariah to do this, and it is the Word of God spoken by Haggai in Haggai 1: 3-10 that often speaks to me when I become slothful. Haggai told the Jews too, “Consider your ways” because they were focused on themselves rather than God, and the result was poverty rather than prosperity.
- There are those that will question your actions and will attempt to hinder you from going forward; however, the blessing of God will be with you when you do His work.
- Failure in your life is the consequence of negligence.
After the news was spread abroad of the temple rebuilding project, the Samaritans and other people of the land became upset. In a duplicitous manner, they approached the Jews and asked if they could assist with the building since they sought and sacrificed to the same God; however, the Jews denied them their subversive partnership request.
Consequently, for the next fifteen years and the reign of three Persian kings, these people used adversarial tactics in hindering the rebuilding of the temple. First, they hired counselors to misrepresent and lie about the Jews to the Persian king. Later they wrote a letter to King Ahasuerus with false accusations against the Jews and lastly a letter was sent to King Artaxerxes questioning the loyalty of the Jews and their willingness to pay future taxes if they were allowed to rebuild Jerusalem. After reviewing and researching the claims of the opposition, King Artaxerxes sent a command for the work to cease which the opposition read to the Jews and cruelly enforced.
The statement, “There is nothing new under the sun” remains true. The methods that the opposers utilized in the days of Ezra are the same methods that are used against believers today. As I read the text, I saw deception, attempted infiltration, lies, threats, intimidation, complaints, and frustration. Since the first line of attack did not work over the years, the enemy relentlessly continued their endeavors until they finally got what they wanted.
Reading this chapter reminded me of the words of Timothy, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). Our enemy has an arsenal of weapons that he uses on believers, and he will attempt to stop us from doing God’s business, but we must endure, we must pray for discernment, we must reject compromise, and we must continue to press forward despite opposition. This is my gleaning points from Ezra chapter four.
After traveling safely from Babylon to Jerusalem in the spring of the year, the Jews set up their residence in each of their family’s hometown. Aware of the hostility of the Samaritans, in September they gathered together and rebuilt the altar on its old foundation, reestablished the ritual of offering burnt offerings morning and evening, celebrated the feast of the tabernacles and observed the other set feast of the Lord.
Freewill offerings were taken to hire workers and purchase the material for the rebuilding of the temple, and by the second month in their second year in Jerusalem, the workers were able to lay the foundation of the temple while the Levites and priest with their instruments and the singers praised and gave thanks to God.
The chapter ends with varying sentiments expressed by the assembly. The younger generation rejoiced while, the older generation who remembered the glory of the first temple wept.
The gleaning points that I received from this chapter are:
- After settling in Jerusalem and the surrounding area, the Israelites remembered the instructions given to them by God through Moses and as a unified body, they came together to offer sacrificial worship. Thus, before they started building the temple, they restored worship. No doubt during their seventy years of captivity they were unable to practice these customs; however, they realized that to endure and be successful in a hostile environment they needed to have a right relationship with God which meant following His laws, statutes, and commandments.
- Praising and thanking God for His goodness and mercy never goes out of style.
- Seniors tend to look back with heartfelt emotions on times that were prosperous in their lives, while the youth are living in the moment.
A large portion of chapter two is sharing the registry of the faithful family remnant that responded positively to the edict of King Cyrus and the prompting of God to return to Jerusalem. In the registry, there was a priest, Levites, leaders, general population, offsprings of Solomon’s servants, and individuals of questionable genealogical claims.
Ezra chapter one revealed there were Jews who choose to stay in Babylon rather than return to Jerusalem and become involved with the rebuilding project. For those that went, it was a faith walk for they did not know what they would find when they returned, but they were willing to go and do the work.
When the Southern Tribe of Israel was taken into captivity, they were stripped of their worldly goods; however, the remnant returned to Jerusalem with substantial assets. Thus, upon arrival, the chief of the fathers according to their ability gave freely for the rebuilding of the temple.
The last verse in Ezra 2 states, “So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.” Hence, the returning families settled in their towns and villages of their ancestors; there was no disputing; everyone went to their formerly assigned homestead.
The gleaning points that I received from this chapter are:
- God has people that will respond to His call.
- God gives seed to the sower.
- We are to give according to our ability.
- Everyone has an assigned place.
Unlike the story of Moses who was sent to deliver the children of Israel out of Egypt and the thirteen individuals in the book of Judges that delivered Israel out of the hand of various oppressors, this time God does things differently. The seventy years of captivity that was prophesied to Judah has ended, and now it is time for Israel to return home.
Chapter one opens introducing Cyrus Cylinder the pagan king of Medio-Persia who conquered Babylon in 539 B.C. and the person whom Isaiah prophesied about in Isaiah 44:28-45:13. During his first year of reign in Babylon, King Cyrus was stirred by God, and he made a proclamation that was heralded throughout the land. In this proclamation Cyrus acknowledged that the Lord God of heaven enabled him to conquer the kingdoms of the earth, that he was charged with rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem by repatriating the captive Jews, and he informed those Jews and other residents that choose to stay in Babylon that they were to support this venture with tangible donations and freewill offerings.
Further in the chapter, the spirit of God moved on the chief fathers of Judah and Benjamin, priest, and Levites to respond to the proclamation. These individuals along with Sheshbazzar (Zerubbabel) who Cyrus appointed to take the people back to Jerusalem and to be the governor of Jerusalem received the donations and freewill offerings from the people. Plus, King Cyrus gave them the temple vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem to Babylon.
I believe chapter one displays that God uses who he chooses to accomplish His Word. God used a pagan king to bless His people who confirm the words of Solomon in Proverbs 21:1 that says, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” Historians believed Cyrus’s motive for restoring the religious practices and autonomy to the nations that he conquered was political for he hoped to secure the respect and loyalty of these subjects by his actions. Whatever may have been his reason, God was in control. Also, He used the king to instruct others to support the building project. So, the Jews were not only freed from their captivity, but they returned home laden with provisions to meet their needs and rebuild the temple.
Often we look for help from the household of faith when God has outsiders in the wings waiting to assist us. Therefore, the lesson to be learned from this chapter is not to limit your resources but rather expect help from unexpected sources.
I’ve been prompted in my spirit to blog on the books of Ezra and Nehemiah; so, I am starting with Ezra and then will move on to Nehemiah. Over the next several months, I will probably blog a chapter each week except for the chapters that are revealing the genealogy of the participants. I believe as I proceed, I will get a better understanding of why I have been led in this direction, and I will share that information as it is revealed to me
On this week before I start blogging on the chapters, I want to give you some background information on this book which Ezra reportedly only wrote the later portion of it and the identity of the other writer is unknown.
During the reign of Rehoboam Solomon’s son, the twelve tribes of Israel were divided into two groups: the Southern Tribe which was Judah and Benjamin and the Northern Tribe which was composed of the other ten tribes. Both of these groups forsook the laws and statues of God and ended up in captivity. The Northern Tribe was taken captive and deported to Assyria, and two centuries later the Southern Tribe was exiled to Babylon when Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem. As prophesied by Jeremiah to Judah, they would be in captivity for seventy years, and then God would return them to Jerusalem and restore their land. Also, the prophecy that Isaiah made about someone named Cyrus, who would be used of God to rebuild the temple was about to come to fruition (Isaiah 44:28-45:4).This is where the first chapter of Ezra begins sharing the story of the two groups of willing Jews that return to their heritage. The first group of approximately fifty thousand Jews is led by Zerubbabel, and over fifty years later, the second group of roughly two thousand Jews is escorted by Ezra the priest and scribe.
I am excited to see what God will reveal to me as I proceed with this series, and I invite you to read it as I do my weekly blog.
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