Wednesday, March 19 – Ezra 2, 3 – Additional Reading, Prophets and Kings, Chapter 51, “A Spiritual Revival”

1. What did the governor say about the priests who could not prove their lineage? (Ezra 2:62-63)

2. What was the first thing they built in the temple? (Ezra 3:2)

3. What danger did they face? (Ezra 3:3)

4. What did the priests and the people do when the foundation was laid? (Ezra 3:10-12)

Regarding the book of Ezra and its place in the biblical historical narrative, the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary states:

“Ezra and Nehemiah form the historical and literary continuation of the books of Chronicles, and a study of the style and language reveals that they probably had the same author. Jewish tradition (the Talmud) names Ezra as the chief author (Baba Bathra 15a) and Nehemiah as the one who completed the work.” (SDABC, Introduction to Ezra, Authorship)

“Ezra records, first of all, the return of the Jews from exile under the guidance of Zerubbabel, the reorganization of the sacrificial service, and the beginning of the rebuilding of the Temple. All these events took place within about two years, early in the reign of Cyrus. During the next 13 years the work progressed slowly against opposition.” (SDABC, Introduction to Ezra, Historical Setting)

The record of those who returned to Jerusalem begins by listing the men who were to assist Zerubbabel and Joshua (Ezra 2:1-2). The total number of those who returned was around 50,000. Some were classified according to their families (verses 3-19), others according to the cities from which their families came (verses 20-35). The priests, Levites, and temple servants were mentioned separately (verses 36-58). Others did not fit into any category (verses 59-63).

Interestingly, there was a genealogical record where each person could prove their lineage. Some exiles from a region in Mesopotamia could not prove their family descent, tribal affiliation, or city of origin.

“If their forebears had been legitimate inhabitants of Judah at the time of Nebuchadnezzar, they may perhaps have received especially rough treatment, either during the journey to Babylonia or as slaves after their arrival, and had consequently lost all identifying documents (see on v. 2).” (SDABC, Ezra 2:59)

The priests who had lost their documents during exile posed a special problem. They were not allowed to serve in the priesthood until their credentials could be confirmed. The priestly calling at that time was specifically for the tribe of Levi. Today, each disciple has their calling. It is a mistake to assume a calling on one’s own. This matter is as serious today as it was back then.

Each family brought a voluntary offering for the construction of the temple.

The first thing they built was the altar for sacrifices. Even though the temple was in ruins, those who returned from exile, after 70 years, resumed the sacrificial services. This work was done under danger and threat from the pagan inhabitants of the region who viewed them with hostility. Raising an altar to the Lord, even in times of trial, is a priority for His people. Every day, each individual and each family should raise an altar for worship.

What a beautiful scene of rejoicing is described in the last verses of chapter 3. I quote them verbatim:

“Many of the priests and Levites and heads of the fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this temple was laid before their eyes. Yet many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people, for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the sound was heard afar off.” (Ezra 3:10-13)

How much we should appreciate gathering for worship! While we have a comfortable place to meet, we should attend and worship with the same spirit as those who returned from exile. Just laying the foundation of the temple filled them with joy. They valued the temple because they had lost it. I pray that we learn to appreciate it today while we have it.

“How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord;
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” (Psalm 84:1-2)

May God grant you a very blessed day.