Tuesday: The Second Return of the Exiles
In Ezra 7:1-10 and Ezra 8:1-14, we see that King Artaxerxes I allows Ezra to return to Jerusalem (the year is 457 B.C). and to take with him anyone who would like to return. Not much is known about the relationship between the king and Ezra, or whether Ezra worked for the court. Ezra 8 lists the heads of the families of those who returned, starting with the priestly returnees, followed by the royal line, and ending with the general Jewish population.
By the Rivers of Babylon
Twelve families are named specifically, giving the impression that this is a deliberate reminder of the twelve tribes of Israel.
The passage lists about 1,500 men, which would approximate 5,000 to 6,000 total, counting women and children. This was a much smaller group than the first group that had returned with Zerubbabel and Joshua.
Read Ezra 7:1-10. What does it teach us about Ezra?
Ezra is a scribe with a priestly legacy. As a priest, he is a descendant of Aaron, the brother of Moses, who was the first priest of the nation of Israel. Due to the accounts recorded in Ezra, as well as in Jewish tradition, Ezra’s name stands very high even today. Whether Ezra served as a scribe in the court of King Artaxerxes is not known; thus, this description of Ezra as a scribe either refers to his previous responsibilities or to his abilities, which he begins to use after his arrival in Judah. However, Ezra must have worked for Artaxerxes in some close capacity in order for the king to send him out as the leader of the expedition.
In Ezra 7:6 and Ezra 7:10, Ezra is labeled as a “skilled” and “devoted” scribe or teacher. The word “skilled” literally means “rapid”, connoting someone who is quick in comprehension and mental maneuvering of information. Ezra had a quick mind — he was known for his knowledge and mental astuteness regarding the Law of God. Moreover, the fact that the king chose Ezra to bring a group of Israelites to Judah is a testament to Ezra’s courage and leadership abilities.
| Notice, Ezra prepared his heart to seek “the law of the LORD” (Ezra 7:10). How would we apply that principle to our own lives now? |
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Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
In Captivity, Ezra was well versed in the Law of Moses.
He studied the law thoroughly.
He was qualified to teach the law to others.
His foundation was on the Word of God.
The fruit of the relationship
The king granted the request of Ezra because God was with Ezra.
We see that in the story of Joseph in the house of Potiphar's house.
It was God's power and providence, which gave him and his company health and strength, supplied them with everything necessary, directed, protected, and defended them, and brought them in safety to their journey's end.
We may feel unworthy to carry on the work of the Lord.
Our unworthiness makes us worthy to carry on the work of God.
We must spend time studying the law of the Lord.
The world would be at peace if all would obey the law of God.
Jeremiah 29:13 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Ezra endeavored to gain a heart preparation for the work he believed was before him. As he learned to yield mind and will to divine control, there were brought into his life the Principles of true sancitification.... Ezra became a mouthpiece for God, educating those about him in the Principles that govern heaven. Prophets and Kings pg 608, 609.
I believe that the nature and character of the LORD are summarized in His Principles of Life and He acts according to these Principles. He is all powerful and is not restricted by anything.
As Ezra yielded his will to the LORD and His Principles of Life he was able to be a true witness to the world of the power of Bible truth to enoble the daily life.
I believe when we understand what are often called laws are actually principles and concern heart matters not only outward behavior then we will be closer to understanding the LORD's will for our lives.
THE SCRIBES TODAY.
These people sit in Moses' seat so observe what they tell you to observe but do not follow their works for they say and do not.
They make you carry heavy burdens but they themselves can not move it with on of their fingers.
They love high tables in parties and chief seats in the church and to be greeted in meetings and to be called teachers.
These scribes have greatly degenerated from the time of Ezra. Today,they shut up the kingdom of heaven against men. They are not going to heaven and neither allow those that are entering to go in.
They devour the least of these and for a pretence make long prayers.
They can really make you double the child of the devil.
They pay tithe of small things like mint,anise and cummin and omit the weightier matters of the law,judgment,mercy and faith.
They clean the cup outside but within they are full of extortion and excess. They appear righteous to men but within are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. They are like sepulchres which appear beautiful outward but are within full of dead men's bones and of all uncleanness.
And who are these scribes of today? Is it me and you? Have we set our heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in our families, communities and countries?
As I have been travelling most days this week I have not had time to really say much about the new topic.
Here is a bit of history that may help us understand some of the background a bit better. The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah were relatively small fry sandwiched between the Assyrian/Babylonian kingdoms on the one hand and Egypt on the other. Typically they were allowed self-rule provided they behaved themselves and paid their taxes. At the time of the exile there was some dispute about the taxes that were supposed to be paid to Babylon. There were at least three punitive raids by Babylon and the Jews must have really annoyed the Babylonians because they razed Jerusalem and took the ruling people captive. The peasants were in the main allowed to stay and I guess the rule was that they had to send a hefty tax to Babylon.
In those days it was customary to take all the academics as captives and set them to work for the conquoring government. That is how Daniel and his companions ended up in the courts of Babylon.
The Babylonian exile was a turning point in Jewish history. They were only held captive for 70 years in which the Assyrians replaced the Babylonians as the ruling class. (War was the historical equivalent to elections - Come to think of it, there is often not a lot of difference between the two) During this time the Jews established schools and commercial interests in their captors country. When the decrees were issued allowing them to return home many of them felt that they were very comfortable where they were. They remained behind and were the genesis of what is now known as the Iraqi Jews. To a large extent, they were accepted and tolerated in the local communities.
The Jews who returned home were relatively few in number. No doubt there was some antagonism between the returning exiles and those who had stayed in Palestine during the exile.
This is only a rough thumbnail sketch of some of the features of this period of history but at least it sets some of the historic scene for the narrative.
Thank you for the historical background.
Your insight to make the lesson study come alive does help us to realize this is the living Word.
God bless you as you journey and connect with nature.
Thank you Newbegin. It will be another week before I get back home again.
Perhaps we could apply the Jews' return from Babylon as our own 'return to the promised land'. God has promised so many blessings, and perhaps part of those was a 'forced change of ways in a strange country'. Let's go back to the original ways God has set for each one of us...
Today's study deals with the "Second Return of the Exiles"...but the burning question is: What prepared Ezra for this, and what can we learn from it?
" . . As he (Ezra) learned more and still more concerning God’s dealings with His children, and comprehended the sacredness of the law given at Sinai, Ezra’s heart was stirred. He experienced a new and thorough conversion and determined to master the records of sacred history, that he might use this knowledge to bring blessing and light to his people (Prophets and Kings, pp. 607, 608).
📌 "Ezra endeavored to gain a heart preparation for the work he believed was before him. He sought God earnestly, that he might be a wise teacher in Israel" (Prophets and Kings pp.607,608).
🔹In Ezra 8, we see that in preparation for the journey Ezra spent time in study and prayer and fasting for help, forgiveness of sins, and direction for the long journey ahead. He identified with the people, united them, motivated them, and delegated the people to accomplish the task(Ezra ch.8).
▪ Purposeful Christianity leads to purposeful living that yields victory!
Have a purposeful day!
Maurice Ashton thank you for the brief history of the Jews' exile. Understanding the background makes lesson study interesting.
As it says in 2 Timothy 2:15:"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
We ALL must prioritize our lives to studying God's word first, before all other knowledge. Then we must ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in our understanding of His word.
Be blessed everyone!