Ezra 8

Ezra 8:1

B. Register of Those Who Returned (8:1-14)8:1-14 This first paragraph lists those who went back to Jerusalem with Ezra from Babylon. Several from these same families had returned under Zerubbabel years earlier (chap. 2). Almost 1500 males made up this second expedition.

Ezra 8:15

C. Account of the Trip to Jerusalem (8:15-36)8:15-20 While stopped by the river near Ahava (location unknown), Ezra noticed that there were no Levites in his company, so he commissioned eleven of the leading brethren to go to Casiphia, where he evidently knew that some Levites had settled, to encourage the Levites and temple servants to join him. Thirty-eight Levites and two hundred and twenty Nethinim (servants) responded. 8:21-23 Before the Jews began their 900-mile journey, they camped at the river of Ahava, and there Ezra proclaimed a fast. He had previously testified of God’s goodness and power to the king. To request a military escort now would be to deny his words by his actions. Instead he put his faith on the line, trusting in the God who delights to save those who lean hard on Him. He would not be disappointed. He answered their prayer. 8:24-34 The money and utensils that had been given to Ezra were weighed out to twelve of the leaders of the priests and twelve Levites. Since these things were holy (set apart for sacred use), they had to be kept by men who were holy. After a three-and-a-half-month trek, the entire party reached Jerusalem without incident. Upon arrival in Jerusalem the silver and the gold and the articles were weighed again and given to those in charge of the temple. 8:35, 36 The first order of business for the exiles was to offer burnt and sin offerings on Jehovah’s altar for all Israel. When they had taken care of their spiritual obligations, they delivered the king’s orders to his officials in the western provinces, who in turn supplied them accordingly.