Ezra 8:33-36 – Only our best for God

Ezra 8:33-34 describe the handover of the silver and gold utensils and the donations for the temple to Meremoth. With him was also Eleazar, the son of Phinehas, and some Levites. Meremoth was either the high priest or the treasurer of the temple. Everything was in order and all that was handed over to the priest was recorded and accounted for. Being accountable is a critical part of being trustworthy. This ought to be a practice that Christians must observe strictly. Being careful with what has been entrusted to us leaves little room for accusation. God cherishes integrity and we must be people of integrity, especially in financial matters.

Worship was the first order of those returnees that came back with Ezra. So here in Ezra 8:35-36, we see them worshipping and offering needful sacrifices to God. In verse 12, it was said that 12 bulls for all Israel, 96 rams, 77 lambs, and 12 male goats for a sin offering, all as a burnt offering to the Lord. Though the returnees came largely from Judah and Benjamin, their offerings were made for all 12 tribes of Israel. Here they offered both sacrifices for their sin as well as sacrifices of dedication and thanksgiving. Ezra also delivered the king’s edict to the satraps and governors beyond the region. This was done to elicit support for them and their temple. So the governmental official all complied and offer support to the house of God.

Among other lessons, two lessons stand out. The first lesson is about accountability. We are all accountable for what has been entrusted. And we are not expected to account for that God has not given to us. It is important that we identify the gifts and talents we clearly possess and give our best to exercise them. We don’t have to be jealous of what others have, we just need to do what has been given to us. For God will call us to account for what we have been entrustd with. The second lesson is that worship must be devotedly offered. It must be unitedly rendered. Though the returnees were mainly from two tribes they offered for all 12 tribes of Israel. In worship, sin must be renounced. This was seen in the sin offerings to God. Then there must be thanksgiving and rededication. In our worship of God, we must renounce our sins to be acceptable to God and then gratefully respect God for all that He is to us.