Ezra 2

Ezra 2:1

RETURN UNDER ZERUBBABELChapter 2 gives a list of those who returned to Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel. To attempt to read this list would be a real exercise in pronunciation. Hebrew names were difficult enough to pronounce before the Captivity. Then after the Captivity they really became difficult because there was the inclusion of that which was of the Persian and Babylonian languages. Notice that in verse Ezr_2:2 a man named Nehemiah is mentioned. This is not the Nehemiah that wrote the book of the Bible bearing that name. Nehemiah, the writer, did not return to the land with the first group. Also a man named Mordecai is mentioned. He is not the same man who is mentioned in the Book of Esther. As we read down the list, we see some very interesting names. For instance the “men of Anathoth.”

Ezra 2:23

That is quite a group from that little town who went back. I have seen this little town, and it is a place of interest because it is the town where Jeremiah purchased a field. You will remember that in Jeremiah’s day the children of Israel were on the verge of being carried away into captivity. I would not call his purchase of some land at that time a good investment in real estate, would you? When Jeremiah bought this land, it did not look as though Israel had a future. But God had him buy the land as a sign that Judah would be restored.

Jeremiah’s act was one of faith. God promised that His people would return to the land, and they did. These men of Anathoth had a sealed, lawful claim to the land because Jeremiah had purchased it and given it to them. They were going back to claim their possessions. You can read the story in Jeremiah 32. There are many very beautiful spiritual lessons for us in this section. We can be partners in this enterprisesome rebuild the temple, some give out the Word of God, some go as missionaries, some support those who go. And something that is quite wonderful is that someday we are to be rewarded. Every man’s work will be inspected with a reward in mind. We all will appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Every believer will appear before the judgment seat of Christ. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2Co_5:10).

Added to that, “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1Co_3:13-15). When I was in Corinth, I had pictures taken of me standing on the bema. Nobody judged me then; neither did I receive a reward. But one of these days I am going to stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

I don’t want Him to blame me. I don’t want Him to say that everything I did was wood, hay, and stubble. I don’t want my labors to go up in smoke. I want there to be a little gold among my works.

Ezra 2:41

There were 128 singers who went back to the land. The spirit of praise and rejoicing was in their hearts and lives. They had a lot to sing about. Interestingly enough, more singers returned to the land than did Levites (Ezr_2:40).

Ezra 2:61

Three families of the priests could not prove their relationship to the nation through genealogical records. Because they could not declare their pedigree, they were officially excluded. However, they were permitted to go with the Jews on their trip to the land. Today the child of God ought to know that he is a son of God. The apostle Paul could say, “I know whom I have believed.” We should have a “know-so” salvation, my friendnot a “think-so” or “hope-so.” “…for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2Ti_1:12).

Ezra 2:64

This passage of Scripture gives us the total number of people who returned to the land at this time under Zerubbabel: Total congregation42,360-102Servants and maids7,337-102Singers (male and female)200-102Grand Total49,897