EZRA DISCOVERS THAT NO LEVITES HAVE JOINED THE RETURNEES AND MAKES ARRANGEMENTS FOR SOME TO JOIN THE PARTY (EZRA 8:15). Gathering his party together at the Canal which runs to Ahava, which was probably an important caravan junction (possibly Strabo's ‘Scenae'), Ezra reviewed those who were present,... [ Continue Reading ]
EZRA GATHERS THE RETURNEES IN ORDER TO PRAY FOR THEIR SAFETY ON THE JOURNEY (EZRA 8:21). The people who were returning with Ezra having all gathered (although it may have commenced before the Levites and Nethinim arrived) Ezra proclaimed a fast so that they could effectively pray for a safe journey... [ Continue Reading ]
EZRA ENTRUSTS THE GIFTS FOR THE HOUSE OF YHWH INTO THE HANDS OF TWELVE CHIEF PRIESTS FOR THEM TO GUARD ON THE JOURNEY (EZRA 8:24). It is never right to use faith as an excuse for foolishness. So having committed everything to God, and having obtained assurance of His protection, he now took wise st... [ Continue Reading ]
Ezra 8:31 ‘Then we departed from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem, and the hand of our God was on us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and those who lie-in-wait by the way.' They left the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the month. The intent... [ Continue Reading ]
Ezra 8:32 ‘And we came to Jerusalem, and stayed there three days.' Arriving in Jerusalem they rested for ‘three days'. This period would enable them to recover from the rigours of the journey and sort themselves out. The leaders' attention would initially be required in order to keep things organi... [ Continue Reading ]
Ezra 8:33 ‘And on the fourth day the silver and the gold and the vessels were weighed in the house of our God into the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, the Levite.'... [ Continue Reading ]
Ezra 8:34 ‘The whole by number and by weight, and all the weight was written at that time.' Full records were kept of both the vessels and ingots by number, and also by weight, and everything that was brought and handed over was recorded by weight. It is probable that Ezra knew that he would have... [ Continue Reading ]
Ezra 8:35 ‘The children of the captivity, who were come out of exile, offered burnt-offerings to the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety six rams, seventy seven lambs, twelve he-goats for a sin-offering, all this was a burnt-offering to YHWH.' The personal pronouns here change fr... [ Continue Reading ]
Ezra 8:36 ‘And they delivered the king's commissions to the king's satraps, and to the governors of Beyond the River, and they furthered the people and the house of God.' The community leaders (they), then ensured the delivering of the king's commissions, as contained in his decrees, to the Persian... [ Continue Reading ]