Ezra 8-9
What I Noticed Today (Ezra 8-9)
Ezra 8
In verses 1-14, Ezra provides a listing of the heads of the families that made the 900-mile journey from Persia back to Jerusalem with Ezra. A total of 1,514 men, plus 258 Levites, for a grand total of 1,772 men.
Note: With women and children, the group may have been 4,000-5,000 people, which is a much smaller group than those who returned first (Ezra 2:64-65).
In verses 15-20, when Ezra gathered the people together, he realized there were no Levites, so he sent for 38 Levites to join the group (18 from Sherebiah’s family, and 20 from Jeshaiah’s family).
In verses 21-30, once the Levites had joined the returning exiles, Ezra proclaimed a fast asking God to give them safe passage to Jerusalem.
- He then set apart a group of 12 of the leading priests who were given the responsibility of carrying the holy vessels and treasures to Jerusalem.
- Ezra weighed out 24 tons of silver, 7,500 pounds of silver articles, 7500 pounds of gold, 20 gold bowls, and two articles of bronze as offerings to the temple of the Lord. He gave them to the Levites and commanded them to care for the articles on the trip to Jerusalem.
In verses 31-36, the hand of God was on them, giving them safe passage.
- After arriving in Jerusalem, they waited three days and on the fourth day offered burnt offerings to the Lord.
- They also delivered King Darius’ edicts to the officials and governor of the region so they would support God’s people.
Ezra 9-10
Ezra enacts reforms in the land.
Ezra 9
In verses 1-4, officials let Ezra know that there was a major problem among the Israelites that had returned previously.
- They had begun to intermarry with women from Canaanite tribes in direct violation of Deuteronomy 20:18.
- To make matters worse, the people’s leaders, officials, and priests were among the worst offenders!
- Ezra tore his garments (a sign of repentance).
- He sat in the presence of the Lord fasting until the evening when he then bowed down and prayed for the people and the great sin they had committed.
In verses 5-15, after the evening sacrifice, Ezra knelt before the Lord and prayed.
- Verses 6-7 Ezra, ashamed, and disgraced, confessed the sin of the people.
- Verses 8-9 Ezra acknowledged God’s grace in allowing the people to return and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.
- Verses 10-12 Ezra confessed the men’s sin of intermarrying with foreign women.
- Verses 13-14 Ezra admitted God would be justified in destroying the people because of their guilt before the Lord.
- Verse 15 Ezra prayed for God to be merciful to them even though no one in the community was worthy to stand before the Lord.
Note: Ezra’s prayer is a powerful appeal to God. He recognizes the goodness of God in allowing them to return to Jerusalem and is ashamed at how the people had responded to God’s goodness by violating His law.
Some thoughts for additional consideration:
- The first group of exiles to return had gotten off to a good start with the leaders and priests dedicating the temple, rebuilding it, and celebrating Passover. But somewhere along the way, they drifted away from God, with even the priests and leaders violating God’s commands about intermarriage.
- We tend to be so much like these returned exiles. God shows great favor and blesses us. We begin by acknowledging Him, but slowly we drift away allowing sin to enter into our lives. Beware, a little leaven leavens the whole lump!
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.