Read Ezra
1-2 & John
19:23-42
To discover:
As you read consider how we see
hope for the kingdom.
To ponder:
Cyrus conquered Babylon
in 539BC. A year later, fulfilling
Jeremiah (Jer 25v8-14, 51v11), God “moved” the heart of the mighty Persian king
to do his will. Cyrus’ proclamation was a political move to ensure stability
throughout his empire, but it spoke much truth, acknowledging God as sovereign
over the world, and himself as God’s servant (Is 44v28), appointed to do what
Judean kings had failed to do – build God’s temple, and settle the people
securely in the land. Here there is astonishing affirmation that no earthly
power can do anything but God’s bidding, and his purposes are therefore
certain. God should therefore be thanked for providential changes in society
that give us opportunities for the building of his kingdom and our enjoyment of
freedom as Christians.
In
declaring the people of Cyrus’ empire are to provide the Jews with wealth,
goods, livestock and offerings, we see the return is like the Exodus in which
the Egyptians gave the Israelites similar (Ex 11v2, 12v35-36). The phrase “came
up from Babylon” (1v11, 2v1)
implies the same. In Israel’s
history, the return from exile is no less significant in affirming God’s
commitment to his promises.
The
inventory focuses on the return of items stolen from the temple, signifying the
re-establishment of the kingdom. The numbers don’t add up to the given 5,400
suggesting it is not exhaustive. The list of returnees is likely to include
those from subsequent returns too. We will see Sheshbazzar to be the first governor
in Judea, Jeshua, the High Priest, and Zerubbabel as key
in the rebuilding of the temple. In all there are twelve leaders, again
signifying the re-establishment of the kingdom - akin to the twelve tribes.
Indeed, the list is described as people of “Israel”
not just Judea, implying the unification of the north
and south. Here we should remember some of the faithful from the north had
emigrated south to worship God rightly at the temple (2 Chr 30v11). They would
therefore have been included in the exile, and their descendents in the return.
As
in Chronicles, the list then focuses on those involved in the work of the
temple and the descendents of Solomon’s servants. This looks back to Solomon’s
glory days as the model of what was to be desired, and forward to the promised
Christ who would perfectly fulfil God’s covenant with David (1 Chr 17v11-14) by
establishing an everlasting kingdom with a temple at its heart. To the
post-exilic community, the book therefore begins affirming the importance of
continuity with the nation’s past history and worship. The church must look to
its past in the teaching of the apostles, and to the future when Christ will
return and establish it in all perfection. Both keep us from being compromised
by the biases and temptations of the present.
The
careful notes where people’s descent could not be proved is inserted to show
things were done with great care for the purity of the nation and those who
served at the temple. Presumably, those unable to demonstrate they were priests
could be counted clean and eat the food after there was a priest with Urim and
Thummim because he could consult the LORD as to their credentials.
This care
challenges our contemporary lack of concern over ensuring, as far as we are
able, those in our churches do actually believe, and those ordained to ministry
are actually called. It also proves the concern of the author with accurately
recording Israel’s
history, suggesting apparent discrepancies with detail are likely to have an
explanation other than inattentiveness.
The
chapter ends recording this was a significant return (3v64) with the elders
readily giving offerings to help in the rebuilding of the temple, and the
priests, Levites and people resettling the towns that were their inheritance
since the land was settled. Once more, it seems the kingdom is being
re-established.
Praying it home:
Praise God that he is sovereign
over all the decisions of men, able to move their hearts as he pleases. Pray
that the government in our land would favour the church and Christians in such
a way that enables them to flourish in their work of evangelism and
discipleship.
Thinking further:
To read the NIV
Study Bible introduction to Ezra, click
here.
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