In Ezra 2:64, the number of the returnees from Babylon was said to be 42,360 besides 7,337 male and female slaves and 200 singing men and women. This would add up to 49,897. However, the number of people given in Ezra 2:3-58 add up to only 29,818. How to explain this shortage? Those not from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin were not included in the total number. It could also be that non-descendants of Abraham whom the Jews married were not added. Verses 66 and 67 said that these returnees had 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.
Verses 68-69 speak of some leaders who were when they arrived at the house of
the LORD in Jerusalem offered gold and silver toward the restoration of its
foundation. According to their ability, they brought them to the treasury for
the restoration of the temple foundation. The amount indicated in verse 69 was
“ 61,000 gold drachmas and 5,000 silver minas and 100 priestly garments.”
Verse 70 says that all of Israel including the priests. Levites, the people, the singers,
gatekeepers, and the temple servants lived in their cities and not in Jerusalem.
Some of the people who arrived at the temple were inspired to give to the work. so verses 68 said, "Some of the heads of
fathers’ households when they arrived at the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for the house of
God to restore it on its foundation.” This shows
us how willing were these people to give to the work of God. In advancing God’s
work, finance is an important component. Everyone should play a part in advancing the
kingdom. We give God our time and talent, but we must also be generous in
contributing our finance. But when we give, we must give cheerfully and willingly. For God loves a cheerful giver.
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