by Ian McKee (Northern Ireland)
(Ezra Chapter 8.1-20)
The first fourteen verses of Ezra chapter 8 are a diminutive of chapter 2. They enumerate those who return with Ezra from Babylon to Jerusalem in 457 BC. Although reference is made here to only some 1,500 persons, they were each as precious to God as the 50,000 who had returned with Zerubbabel and Jeshua some 80 years before. All were similarly known. Everyone counted.
The men who returned (Ezra 8.1-14)
Chiefs of their fathers, or 18 heads of houses, are first mentioned. Fathers with sensitivity to God’s guidance who can provide a good example to their families are ever of immense value. An outstanding example was Abraham of whom the Lord said, "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment," Gen.18.19.
As well as considering these principal guides we should also reflect upon the potential spiritual growth of families. It would be peculiar to conclude that the rising generation could not, by God’s grace, achieve more than the one that preceded it! After all, the "chiefs of their fathers" were themselves emulating the faith of those who had gone before. With the exception of the sons of Joab, Ezra 8.9, all those named were related to the returnees in ch.2, although the number of families and constituent members are less numerous. But consider the joy of reunion at Jerusalem, reviewing generations of family history and similar experience with God.
The family heads first mentioned are of priestly and royal lineage. Gershom and Daniel are of the lineage of Phinehas and Ithamar respectively and Hattush is a great great grandson of Zerubbabel and a descendant of King David. However no details are given of the number of their accompanying family members. Then we have the names of 15 other, dare we say, ordinary family heads together with a total of 1,496 accompanying males. This indicates that for everyone with a name prominent among the people of God there were at least a hundred others, with an equal exercise in returning, whose names are not recorded. Yet these unknown saints were of a calibre that they could be counted. Also, while family size varied between a total of 28 and 300 males, the small families received equal recognition with the large.
Assembling at the Ahava and the Challenge at Casiphia (Ezra 8.15-20)
Having commenced their journey on the first day of the month they reach the Ahava River nine days later, where they rested for three days, Ezra 7.9; 8.15. However, this was not a time-wasting delay. It provided time for physical and spiritual recuperation, plus opportunity for Ezra to take stock and plan for the future. These seasons are necessary. Remember God ordained night to follow day and gave one day of rest in every seven! Also the Lord Himself said to His disciples, "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile," Mk.6.31.
However it was during this period of rest at the Ahava that he "viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi," Ezra 8.15. Rest, review and reflection allowed Ezra to recognise a deficiency that, otherwise, might not have been apparent: namely while two priests were returning, there were no Levites. Yet there must be Levites to bear the vessels of the Lord. Deficiency in spiritual energy will lead to unhallowed methods. Unscriptural innovation will lead to tragedy, 1Chron.13. Ezra therefore sends for nine chief men plus another two with understanding, Ezra 8.16. He was not guilty of selecting boys to do a man’s task! Only men with moral influence, whose word carried weight, together with those skilled in understanding and communicating Divine truth, will do.
These eleven men are sent to Casiphia to speak on Ezra’s behalf to Iddo, who obviously had oversight of this Jewish community. The request they carried was clear. It was for "ministers for the house of our God," Ezra 8.17. Their task was successful and the two men of understanding recruited another "by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding," namely Sherebiah, Ezra 8.18. Like begets like. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments," Ps.111.10. And Sherebiah did not come alone for his sons and brothers joined him. Then Hashabiah and Jeshaiah with brothers and sons also associated with them to provide a total of 38 Levites. Also 220 Nethinims joined them and "all of them were expressed by name" as God also honours menial service, Ezra 8.18-20.
This passage provides evidence for the productivity of sanctified rest. During this period a particular need was identified. Ezra brought eleven men into his confidence and commissioned them to perform a special task, which they performed to the letter. Men of understanding gained a companion, who was the inspiration for the exercise of others together with their sons and brothers. In turn 220 Nethinims joined them. Action following rest and due consideration achieved far more than dogged, unthinking determination. "Wisdom is the principal thing: therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding," Prov.4.7.
Prolonged tiredness leads either to despondency or fractiousness, neither of which is of any benefit among the saints. But the recognition of deficiency by a spiritually clear-sighted and rested man led to purposeful exercise and productive results. This should lead us to reflect on the composition of our lives. For instance, have we a healthy balance between the legitimate secular and the essential spiritual, and between public service and private devotions? Or, have we lost, in large measure, the cultivation of holiness, of spending time in prayerful reading and reflection upon the Word of God? If we achieve an appropriate balance we may have a beneficial influence on others. But only by "the good hand of our God upon us"!
—to be continued (D.V.)