Ezra 2

Ezra 2:1-67 - God remembers those who remember Him

Observation: 

"Now these were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried captive to Babylonia. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town." Ezra 2:1

By the time Cyrus released the exiled Jews, very few of the original prisoners of Babylon had passed away. Those going back to Judah are the 2nd, 3rd and maybe 4th generation. Ezra 2 records the families of those who took the decision to return home to rebuild the temple and the cities. 

The total number of people that went out of Babylon totaled 49,897 including servants and singers. However, only 29,818 were listed under the family names mentioned. Possibly the rest who were not explicitly listed were not from the tribes of Judah or Benjamin, but from other tribes or foreigners. 

Application:

There were possibly over a million Jews in Babylon when Cyrus gave the decree to rebuild the Jerusalem temple. In actuality, it was a call from God. Yet only a fraction of the Jews obeyed the call. Most of them had built a comfortable life in Babylon, raising families and running businesses. They have never seen Jerusalem nor was there any rational reason for them to take the arduous journey to an uncertain future. 

The 50,000 however, had a different point of view. Somehow, despite having no history with Israel, the promise land still holds a special place in their hearts. These are are likely families who kept up the reading of the Torah, reminding their children how God had promised their forefather, Abraham, a land of their own. And how, through idolatry, they have lost it. And they tell their children not to lose hope in God, who promised they would one day return. 

Most of the new generation of Jews probably take the Torah as religious nonsense. They place no faith nor hope in it, nor in God. Those who kept the faith saw the promise coming true with their own eyes. 

Paul said: "No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him." 2 Tim 2:4.  When the commander says to move out, the soldier moves out. He does not hesitate because he had no investment in personal interests. Today, many Christians are caught up in investing the world and find themselves tied down even when they know God is waiting for them to take up the call. Don't make God wait.

Observation: Ezra 2:68-70 - Giving to God whole-heartedly.

"Some of the heads of families, when they came to the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem, made freewill offerings for the house of God, to erect it on its site." (Ezra 2:68)

When the people arrived in Jerusalem, to the site of the ruined temple, they were moved by what they see. In addition to the treasures they carried from Babylon, some of the heads of the families contributed further to the building of the temple from their own savings. 

The amount collected were not significant, if compared to the amount that was used to build the original temple. However, since only SOME of the families gave, those who gave contributed significantly. 

Application:

We see the same pattern: only some took the call and returned from Babylon, and of those, only some gave to the temple construction. Of course there are legitimate reasons for some not to leave Babylon or to give, and we are not to judge. However, in general we see evidence of half-heartedness. Later in Haggai we read that some of them put effort and money into their own luxurious houses instead. 

When we take up God's call, do we do it half-heartedly? Do we mix business with pleasure? It may not be sin per-se, but the results or outcome of half-hearted ministry pales in comparison with those who put their whole mind, strength and soul into it. 

This chapter reminds us of the danger of being too rooted in the world, and making God wait for things we know He wants us to do, or to stop doing. It exhorts us to respond immediately and whole heartedly whatever it is we do for Him.

"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ." Phil 3:7

Ezra 1 (postscript) - Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah (1:8)

In verse 8, a man by the name of Sheshbazzar was mentioned and his title was called "the prince of Judah".  Who is Sheshbazzar, and where did he come from?

Sheshbazzar is the Persian name of Zerubbabel, who lead the first exile return to Jerusalem. His father's name was Salathiel (Ezra 3:8; 5:16).  Salatheil was also known as Shealtiel in Greek passages (eg, Matt 1:12).

Both Zerubbabel and Salathiel was mentioned in the royal genealogy of 1 Chronicles, chapter 3. Salatheil was the son of Jeconiah, and Jeconiah was the son of King Jehoiakim. Jeconiah (also called Jehoiachin) was ruling Judah when it was a vassal state of Babylon. Jeconiah rebelled against Babylon and as a result Nebuchadnezzar deported him to Babylon and made his uncle, Zedekiah, the puppet king of Judah. (2Kings 23:31)

In Babylon, Jeconiah fathered Salatheil, and Salatheil later on fathered Zerubbabel. (See Mat 1:12) If we assume Salatheil was born 10 years after the exile, and Zerubbabel was born 20 years later, this makes Zerubbabel about 40 years of age when he lead the Jews home to Jerusalem. 

The Persians had records of the Judean royal line and therefore gave the title of “prince of Judah” to Zerubbabel. However, his role in Jerusalem was to be its governor. 

What can we learn from this short background?

• Shesh-bazzar means “fire-worshipper,” Zerubbabel means “stranger in Babylon”.  The world gives us different names and titles. Our true title will always be “stranger in the world” for we are citizens of heaven. 

• Zerubbabel was born in Babylon, and had never seen the holy city in his life. Somehow, his grandfather Jeconiah has preserved the love of the holy city in his son and his grandson's heart, with stories (and regrets) of his own life, so that when this opportunity comes, Zerubbabel was willing to leave the lofty position of a “prince” among the Persians to go into a ruined piece of land inhabited by tribes who had been enemies of the Israelites. How have we prepared our children, the second and the third generation, to be ready to go on a mission for God when it’s their turn?

• The profound Word from the Lord “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit” was addressed to Zerubbabel, when he faced his greatest difficulties in the building of the temple. (Zech. 4:6).  Despite or inspite of our legacy, skills, or connections, at the end we must realize that God is the one who choses AND equip us to accomplish his will. He will be faithful to his promise, even in our weakness:  “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; His hands shall also finish it; And thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.” (Zec 4:9)

Ezra 1

Ezra 1:1-4 God raises non-believers for His purpose

“Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.” (Ezra 1:2)

Observation:

Verse one records that God “stirred” up the heart of Cyrus, King of Persia, to order a decree for Jews exiled in Babylon to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple that had been destroyed by the Babylonians. The decree was given in 538 BC.

Cyrus was a miracle. Cyrus was named by God before he was even born – like John the Baptist, who was predestined for a specific mission before birth. However, the miracle for Cyrus is greater than that of John, humanly speaking, for Cyrus was named by God 150 years before his birth through the prophet Isaiah:

“That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, And shall perform all my pleasure: Even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; And to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.” (Isaiah 44:28).

God made a promise to Cyrus that He will “make the crooked way straight” and “break in pieces the gates of of brass” – a reference to Cyrus’ victory against the Babylonians. Cyrus’ name, the timing of his life, his successes and victories, and the condition of his heart was already pre-destined and ready for the “stirring” in order to end the 70 years of exile prophesied by Jeremiah. (Jer. 25:11-12)

However, Cyrus was a pagan king and did not worship Jehovah exclusively. It was the policy of the Persian kingdom to respect all religions and honour all the gods of the conquered lands. Much like Singapore today, such policies help to promote multi-racial and multi-religious harmony among the citizens.

Application:

The lesson here is that God can use non-believing authorities to bring about His plans for His people. Think about the leaders your country in recent years – no matter how you viewed them, their names and their times have been pre-determined by God. God can bring discipline or awaking to His people the way He used Nebuchadnezzar, or bring liberation and blessings the way He used Cyrus.

Proverbs 21:1 says “The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.”

We have assurance and comfort that no matter who runs the country, God is ultimately in control, and His intentions are for our good in the long run. That’s why we are to obey authority as long as our obedience to them is not disobedience against God. (Daniel, for example, obeyed the Babylonian authorities except for the command to eat food offered to idols which is a sin to him.) We are also to pray for them:

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (1Tim 2:1-2)

Ezra 1:5 – God calls His people for action.

“Then rose up the heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem.” (Ezra 1:5)

Observation:

There would be no outcome if Cyrus gave the decree but few of the Jews respond. Verse 5 says God also “stirred” the hearts of the exiles. After 70 years, many of them have settled down comfortably in Babylonians and many in fact had never seen Jerusalem. Yet, they recognize that this is an opportunity that God has given and they obeyed. They left their homes, businesses, and relatives behind to take a 4 month journey on foot (see Ezra 7:8-9) to a city that laid in ruins and inhabited by strangers. 

Application

Many Christians are too at home with the world – they have become comfortable with the routines of their families, career, posessions, and activities. If God were to stir things up, would we recognize that it’s His hand, and would we seize the opportunity to do His calling? It could be something small as sharing the gospel with the person on the bus, or taking up a full-time position at the church, or a major decision to serve in a foreign land. Will we ignore his call, or will we say “Here I am, Lord.”

"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ." (Phil 3:7-8)

Ezra 6-11 - God provides for the mission

“And all who were about them aided them with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, with beasts, and with costly wares, besides all that was freely offered.” (Ezra 1:6)

Observation

God also prepared the hearts of their neighbors to supply generously to the migrating Jews. Though Cyrus did tell them to do so, it appears they did it willingly. We can assume that the majority are other Jewish families but there could be gentile neighbors as well.

Application

We should live in peace and harmony with our neighbor, even if they are not believers. When persecution or need for aid comes, they can be used by God as instruments of help for us. We can be assured that if God calls us for a mission, He will find a way to provide for it.

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19)