Ezra Returns to Jerusalem

INTRO

In the book of Joshua, the Israelites moved into the Promised Land. During the period of the judges, the Israelites didn’t listen to anyone until God brought in someone to save them, then they did the same things all over again. The story of Ruth was a highlight moment during that time. Then in 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel, we saw the anointing of Saul and David. In 1 and 2 Kings, Solomon built and instituted temple worship, but because of sin the kingdoms were divided into Israel and Judah. Then 1 and 2 Chronicles repeated the history of the kings. Now we’re studying Ezra, which could be part of 1 and 2 Chronicles since Ezra wrote all of them. After years of exile and captivity, Israel is going back to the Promised Land. They travelled 900-plus miles from Persia back to Jerusalem.

When the Israelites returned to the land, they began to rebuild the temple, but opposition stopped their work. So, they asked King Darius to look for confirmation that King Cyrus had sent them to rebuild the house of God.

TEACHING

Ezra 6:1–10: King Cyrus’s decree to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem and to return the gold and silver articles to God’s house was found. King Darius then ordered Tattenai, the governor of the region, to let the Israelites rebuild the house of God on its original site (vv. 6–7). Darius further ordered the cost of the temple to be paid from the royal revenues and that all supplies be given to the priests in Jerusalem as they were requested (vv. 8–10). God used a nameless person to find a scroll in an obscure place so His plan could continue. The Israelites rebuilt the temple on the same site on Mt. Moriah where Abraham was prepared to sacrifice Isaac. This same land was the site of the threshing floor that David purchased from Oman. This was the same location where Solomon constructed the first temple. And because of a scroll found in a fortress, the Israelites got to walk out God’s promise that says, “Yes, I’m with my people. I will have this temple rebuilt.”

Ezra 6:16: The Israelites, the priests, the Levites, and the people celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. All of this happened because King Darius humbled himself as described in Proverb 21:1, allowing God to channel the heart of a king to do as He wanted. God is the Promise Keeper.

Ezra 7:8: Although the temple had been rebuilt, it was not as great and grandiose as the temple Solomon had built. In this chapter, Ezra led a group of exiles into Jerusalem. Now Ezra actually entered the picture. He took a different route from the one that the first group of exiles had taken.

Ezra 8:1–14: Ezra listed the names of the family leaders who returned with him from Babylon to Jerusalem. Ezra listed eighteen men who led about 1,500 others along with women and children. This group was not as large as the group that had returned 80 years earlier with Zerubbabel and Jeshua. Ezra listed the heads of each family (Zechariah in verse 3, Eliehoenai in verse 4, Shecaniah in verse 5, etc.), a list that was also included in Ezra 2. The family members in this list were tied to those men listed in Ezra 2.

Ezra 8:15–20: Ezra gathered all these descendants to camp for three days at the river that flowed to Ahava. Among those gathered there, Ezra found no Levites. Ezra, using this time to prepare them to cross the river and return to Jerusalem, asked Iddo, chief of the Nethinim, who were descendants of the Gideonites and served as temple servants, to send people to help.¹Iddo then sent 38 Levites and 220 Nethinim to lead the Israelites returning with Ezra. Why was it so important for the returning Israelites to have Levites? The Levites were appointed by God to offer sacrifices for the people and to care for the temple. These men were gathered before they left for Jerusalem. This is a key part of leadership. Ezra was confident that he had heard from the Lord, so he trusted others to do the work. He didn’t follow them or micromanage them but trusted God that they would find the Levites and the Nethinim to do the work.

Ezra 8:21–23: Additionally, Ezra proclaimed a fast by the Ahava River so the Israelites could humble themselves before God, asking Him for a safe journey for them and their possessions. MacArthur said they would soon begin a long journey along a road frequented by thieves.²Ezra did this because he didn’t want to ask King Darius for protection because the Israelites had told Darius that God would protect them. In Nehemiah 2:7–8, Nehemiah asked King Artaxerxes for letters to the governors along the Euphrates to grant his group safe passage on their journey to Jerusalem and to Asaph for timber to rebuild the gates, city wall, and houses. Ezra didn’t get protection from the infantry and cavalry, but Nehemiah asked for it. At times, as believers, we need to ask for help. In Acts 23, Paul was glad that Roman soldiers guarded him in his journey from Jerusalem to Caesarea. You are not weak when you request protection on your journey. Ezra and the Israelites fasted (this meant no food) and asked God, and He answered them.

Ezra 8:24–30: Ezra selected twelve of the priests along with Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers to carry their possessions back to Jerusalem. Ezra was radically trusting God to protect them and their valuable possessions on this journey. They had a large amount of money, but they received ultimate protection from Yahweh because He keeps His promises. God heard their request and He answered them.

Ezra 8:31–36: They set out for Jerusalem on the twelfth day of the first month. God strengthened them and protected them along the way. They rested in Jerusalem for three days after their arrival, and then, on the fourth day, they delivered everything to Meremoth the priest. All the items they had brought with them were accounted for. Then they offered burnt offerings to God. They also delivered the king’s edicts to the governors in the region so the governors would support the Israelites and the house of God.

CLOSING

In Ezra 6—8, the money was delivered to the temple, the people were starting to worship the Lord, and tomorrow, we’ll close out the Book of Ezra and see how God keeps His promises.