Ezra 5:5-9 – The need for true repentance

Those returnees did not correct a very serious disregard they had for God regarding not marrying foreigners. They continued to violate the warning of Deuteronomy 7:1-6. They did not separate themselves from “the peoples of the land, according to their abominations, those of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.” They took foreign women to be their wives and even had their sons marry them as well. By allowing intermarriage with the foreigners that God clearly warned them not to, they had unwittingly adulterated their race. What made it worst was the fact that the leaders were not only complicit but were also the prime culprits in this matter. When Ezra was told the whole contempt, he was not only widely bewildered but also deeply saddened.  

Ezra was driven to his knees to humbly seek the forgiveness of God on his people’s behalf. He began with confession in Ezra 9:6-7. Though he was not guilty of the offense he identified with his people.  He felt the shame of what his people had done and in humiliation, he deemed himself unworthy to face God. Ezra saw how the nation had not learned from God’s dealing. Since the early days, the whole nation from kings to priests to ordinary people had shown contempt for Him. Despite being dealt severely with needless wars, captivity plunders, and shame, they had not learned.

In Ezra 9:8-9, Ezra clearly acknowledged the grace of God in their present situation. God did not totally disregard them but granted them a new lease of grace even while they were in bondage. The remnant who returned was God’s way of showering His mercy and opening their eyes to His grace. Unworthy as they were, God did not forsake them. He extended His mercy and granted them favor with the kings that allowed them to return to their homeland to rebuild the ruin in the temple and in the wall of Jerusalem in Judah.

There is much for us to learn from Ezra’s repentance and confession on the nation’s behalf. Though he was not guilty, he identified with the sin of the people. To be effective intercessors, there is a need for us to identify with the sin of the people. This will cause us not to come to God with a haughty spirit and feel superior to the people whom we are praying for. There is a need to rightly appraise what led up to the condition so that God’s grace could be fully appreciated. Awareness will always help us to pray more aptly. Then there must be a recognition of the marvelous grace of God, without which we will be trapped in our misery forever.    

Ezra 9:1-4 – Do not be unequally yoked

Stipulated in the covenant God had with the Israelites He told them precisely not to indulge in a mixed marriage with foreigners. This was exactly what God said to them Deuteronomy 7:1-4. “When the LORD your God brings you into the land where you are entering to possess it and clears away many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and stronger than you, and when the LORD your God delivers them before you and you defeat them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them and show no favor to them. Furthermore, you shall not intermarry with them; you shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor shall you take their daughters for your sons. For they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods; then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you and He will quickly destroy you.”

Now among the Jews that had returned from exile, intermarry with foreigners was widespread. In Ezra 9:1-2, Ezra was approached by some of the princes reporting that “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, according to their abominations, those of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and for their sons so that the holy race has intermingled with the peoples of the lands; indeed, the hands of the princes and the rulers have been foremost in this unfaithfulness.”

These people had clearly violated what God through Moses had stipulated. Even religious leaders who should have known better had broken this commandment. When it was told Ezra, he was distressed. Narrating in the first person, Ezra said, in verse 3, “I tore my garment and my robe, and pulled some of the hair from my head and my beard, and sat down appalled.” He was astonished as did every one of those who had a wholesome fear for the Word of God. They came gathered to him on account of the exiles’ unfaithfulness. They were sad and bewildered by how lightly and casually the people regarded God’s instruction.

Here is the call not to be unequally yoked in marriage. God’s concern has always been that believers would be wrongly influenced and apostatized. He knew that one’s unbelieving spouse has the capacity to influence a believer to compromise on his or her relationship with God. In 2 Corinthians 6:14, Paul’s instruction question is still very relevant today. When seeking a life partner, the pertinent question is still, “…for what partnership has righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? If we are looking for a life partner or counseling someone looking for a life partner remember that it is wiser to marry someone who is also committed to the LORD Jesus.

 

 

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.

 

 

Ezra 8:31-32 – Protected by God

Ezra and his entourage set out from Babylon to Jerusalem. The journey took about four months. This was according to Ezra 7:9. They set out on the first of the first month he began to go up from Babylon.  It was not until the first of the fifth month that they came to Jerusalem. Ezra was quick to recognize that God’s good hand was upon them.

Ezra 8 began by listing all the males in the entourage. We are told in verse 15 that Ezra assembled them at the River Ahava. There he noticed that there were no Levites among them. Then he sent for men to Iddo and his brothers who were temple servants at Casiphia and were given a team of Levites and some 220 Nethinim. It was there at River Ahava, that he also proclaimed a three-day fast to seek the protection of God because he did not want to rely on the king.  There he also assigned 12 priests to take care of the silver and gold utensils and the funds collected for the temple at Jerusalem.   

In Ezra 8:31-32, we are told that the entourage set out toward Jerusalem on the 12th day of the first month. The journey towards their destination was dangerous. It was common to encounter bandits on the way. They were exposed to the dangers of encountering the bandits. This was especially so since they were ferrying with them the silver and gold utensils and a substantial offering for the temple. Although Ezra did not say whether they encountered any, it was more likely that they did. What is comforting to note was that Ezra recognized that God’s presence was with them, protected them, saved them from ambushes, and saw them through the journey. When they came to Jerusalem, verse 32 implied that they took a well-deserved, three-day rest before delivering what they brought with them to the temple.

 

Without a doubt, God’s protection is always the best. It is available to us when we place our trust in Him.  We see His people both in the Old and the New Testament experiencing this. Here Ezra is one of those that relied on God and experience His protection. The lesson we take from here is that we can trust God with our lives, especially when we are doing His bidding. We are governed by His providence, covered by His prayer, and graced by His presence daily. What an honor!            

 

 

 

Ezra 8:24-30 - Being God's faithful stewards

Faithful people are needed for the ministry, especially when finance is involved. And it is needful for leaders to be able to identify them. This was precisely what Ezra did. He had to ferry silver and gold utensils, and the offering which the king, his counselors, and the people had offered for the house of God to Jerusalem. So Ezra Ezra 8:24 said that he picked 12 priests and sent them on this  mission. Interestingly, the two words used here were “set apart.” This is significant. For this was a consecrated task and the people he sent to do it must also be consecrated people. 

Having carefully selected the 12 people led by Sherebiah and Hashabiah, Ezra sent them on this important mission with all funds for the temple. This was a consecrated service to the Lord, thus faithfulness and responsibility must be needed. They had to be accountable for what was entrusted to them. So in verses 28-29, Ezra commanded them saying, “You are holy to the Lord, and the utensils are holy; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering to the Lord God of your fathers. Watch and keep them until you weigh them before the leading priests, the Levites, and the heads of the fathers’ households of Israel at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the Lord.” Entrusted with the responsible task, the twelve priests received what was delivered to them to bring to Jerusalem.

Integrity is a prized commodity in life especially when we have to do with finance. Temptation abounds when dealing with finance. We have all heard of how people had fallen prey to temptation because they had to handle finance. It is therefore needful that faithful men be used for such an important task. If we are to be trusted with it, let us be found faithful. Two things can help us to ensure integrity. Know that we are doing it for God and that we will finally have to give an account to Him for all that had been entrusted to us. It is required that all stewards be found faithful. Hence let us be found faithful, not just in dealing with finance but also in everything that we are assigned to do for the Lord!  

Ezra 8:21-23 – Why should we fast and pray?

At this point, Ezra was traveling with little ones and a vast sum of possession. These plus that fact the way was paved with dangers, he sensed the urgent need for God’s protection. He did not want to rely on the king for protection, because he had told the latter God would protect them. He confidently told the king, "The hand of our God is favorably disposed to all those who seek Him, but His power and His anger are against all those who forsake Him.” So he did not want to be seen as if he was going back on his word.

So instead of fretting, Ezra proclaimed a fast at the River Ahava. His purpose was to set aside the time to seek God. Although he knew God would help them in their journey, he did not want to be presumptuous.  It is always better to be safe than sorry. So the fast was set to seek God’s protection. And the comforting words are found in the last part of Ezra 8:23 “…and He(God) listened to our entreaty.” Ezra could attest to this because he had already safely arrived at Jerusalem when he wrote this. And God had indeed answered their prayers.

From these verses, we pick up some lessons on prayer and fasting. Fasting helps to enhance prayer. Prayer and fasting are basically entrusting oneself to the safe hand of God. It is relying on Him and being confident in Him. In fasting we signal the urgency of the matters at hand and that we need the attention of God in that matter. According to Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:16-18, fasting is a spiritual discipline to be practiced periodically. Impressing others and showing how holy we are should never be the reason for fasting. We should fast because we know we are needy people and we need God's help. Be sure to make time to fast and pray.  

 

         

Ezra 8:15-20 – No one should be passive in advancing God's Kingdom

Ezra 8 begins by giving us a list of the Jews that returned with Ezra from Babylon to Jerusalem. So verses 1-14, give us the list of names totaling 1,496 males. In verse 15, Ezra said that he assembled them at  the river that ran to Ahava and there they camped for three days. He then observed among the people that came back with him and could not see any Levites. 

In the earlier group under Zerubbabel, 74 Levites returned to Jerusalem with him. But there was none that came back with Ezra. Why? It was suggested that the Levites were used to the good life and position in Babylon and did not want to move. And it could also well be that they were not sure if they could get the same level of support when they returned to their impoverished homeland.       

So, Ezra then sent a team of leading men to Iddo and his brothers who were temple servants at Casiphia. In verses 16-17, they were instructed to ask these temple servants to bring ministers to them for the house of God in Jerusalem. And because the good hand of God was on them, they found favor with Him. Verses 18-20 then give us a list of Levites that were given to him. One was a descendant from among the sons of Mahli, a descendant of Levi, Sherebiah by name. He, together with his sons and brothers 18 of them, came to  Ezra. In verses 19-20, they were also given some others  such as “Hashabiah and Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, with his brothers and their sons, 20 men.” Together with these, they were also given 220 temple servants, the Nethinim mentioned in Ezra 7:24.  

In our affluent condition, Christians can also become like the Levites who had become accustomed to an easy lifestyle. Like them, many too may no longer want to be too involved in the work that God is doing. There is a need for these to be reminded of their responsibility and obligation to the Kingdom of God.  A pertinent question to ask ourselves would be: Am I like one of them? We are called not just to be a part of the Kingdom of God, but are called to enlarge it. Let us arise and do the work of God and expand the Kingdom!