Ezr 8:24-34 | KingComments | STEP | Ezra separated twelve men from the leaders of the priests to charge them with the care of silver and gold and certain utensils ( ). They are set apart for a special work. The separation of some priests has nothing to do with separating a group of people into a clergy. We read a peculiarity at the end of , where there is talk of “two utensils of fine shiny bronze, precious as gold”. Here we see bronze with the characteristic of gold. Bronze is a picture of God’s righteousness that can withstand judgment. Gold is a picture of God’s glory. We see both in the Lord Jesus on the cross. Ezra says that they are “holy to the LORD” ( ). Holy’ means separated for a purpose. The utensils entrusted to them are also holy. This sanctification, this separation, is for “the LORD God of your fathers”. Everything is consecrated to Him. People and means must be sanctified and pure if they are to be able to connect with God in order to be used by Him ( ). Here we see that this remnant, like the remnant that has returned before, brings silver and gold. We can apply this in such a way that from time to time God renews His work of revival and complements the previous one. Each time, something is added to what is already known. For example, we can think of the letters of correction to the Corinthians and Galatians, in which things are written that add to what is already known by the saints. What has been entrusted to them to take with them ( ), they must deliver in the same weight and number ( ) upon their arrival in Jerusalem. This is not a matter of mistrust, but of accountability (cf. ). The command in the last days is: “Guard, ... the treasure which has been entrusted to you” ( ; cf. ). Everything entrusted to the care of the priests is weighed out ( ). It is to be taken to Jerusalem, with “the house of our God” as its final destination. What has been entrusted to us has also been carefully weighed up and must be preserved and protected within the church, God’s house in this day. We are stewards of what has been entrusted to us as spiritual goods. We must hold on to the whole of the truth and not lose any of it. Ezra has lost nothing of what he took along the way, just as everything that went into the ark with Noah came out safe and sound.

‏ Ezra 8:24-34

Taking Care of Silver, Gold, and Utensils

Ezra separated twelve men from the leaders of the priests to charge them with the care of silver and gold and certain utensils (Ezra 8:24-27). They are set apart for a special work. The separation of some priests has nothing to do with separating a group of people into a clergy.

We read a peculiarity at the end of Ezra 8:27, where there is talk of “two utensils of fine shiny bronze, precious as gold”. Here we see bronze with the characteristic of gold. Bronze is a picture of God’s righteousness that can withstand judgment. Gold is a picture of God’s glory. We see both in the Lord Jesus on the cross.

Ezra says that they are “holy to the LORD” (Ezra 8:28). Holy’ means separated for a purpose. The utensils entrusted to them are also holy. This sanctification, this separation, is for “the LORD God of your fathers”. Everything is consecrated to Him. People and means must be sanctified and pure if they are to be able to connect with God in order to be used by Him (Isa 52:11).

Here we see that this remnant, like the remnant that has returned before, brings silver and gold. We can apply this in such a way that from time to time God renews His work of revival and complements the previous one. Each time, something is added to what is already known. For example, we can think of the letters of correction to the Corinthians and Galatians, in which things are written that add to what is already known by the saints.

What has been entrusted to them to take with them (Ezra 8:29), they must deliver in the same weight and number (Ezra 8:33-34) upon their arrival in Jerusalem. This is not a matter of mistrust, but of accountability (cf. 2Cor 8:21). The command in the last days is: “Guard, ... the treasure which has been entrusted to you” (2Tim 1:14; cf. 2Tim 4:7).

Everything entrusted to the care of the priests is weighed out (Ezra 8:30). It is to be taken to Jerusalem, with “the house of our God” as its final destination. What has been entrusted to us has also been carefully weighed up and must be preserved and protected within the church, God’s house in this day. We are stewards of what has been entrusted to us as spiritual goods. We must hold on to the whole of the truth and not lose any of it. Ezra has lost nothing of what he took along the way, just as everything that went into the ark with Noah came out safe and sound.

Come to Jerusalem

Then the time of departure has come. There is no detailed account of the journey of about four months. On that journey Ezra and the ones who went with him have often been in danger. We hear nothing more about this. Ezra describes no heroic deeds and no fears. He honors God and summarizes the journey in such a way that the company is protected under the “hand of our God” who delivered them from “the hand of the enemy and the ambushes by the way” (Ezra 8:31). He left with prayer. He arrived in peace with thankfulness, for God delivered them and brought them safely to Jerusalem.

God acts for us according to the degree of our trust in Him. Too often we limit Him, because we think so little of Him. He is “able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Eph 3:20). This is the infinite source of faith.

When they have arrived in Jerusalem, they first come to rest and reflect for three days. Again, there are three days (Ezra 8:32; Ezra 8:15). For us this means that everything is again considered in the light of the death and resurrection of Christ. There is also talk of “the fourth day” (Ezra 8:33). On the fourth day the reckoning takes place in front of four men. Four is the number of the earth, of the walk on earth. Of all that has been entrusted to us and how we have dealt with it on earth, we will have to account for before the judgment seat of Christ (2Cor 5:10; cf. Mt 25:14-30).

Everything is checked according to number and weight (Ezra 8:34). Faithful servants of God will take great care that not one part of the precious truth is lost or weighed down. In professing Christianity, more and more truths are no longer proclaimed, and more and more truths lose weight, i.e. importance. Some truths have been abandoned because they are no longer of our time. Other truths are deprived of their power by giving them another meaning. Often there are still the form and the words, but their true spiritual weight is no longer on the hearts.

After the delivery of all treasures, the people bring burnt offerings to the LORD (Ezra 8:35). The remnant that has just returned becomes a people of worshipers. In bringing the offerings they also give thanks to God for His preservation during the journey.

As with the dedication of God’s house (Ezra 6:17), the weak remnant sees “all Israel” represented there. We also see this thought in the recurring number twelve or a multiple thereof. It means that all those who stayed behind in Babylon are also involved in the burnt offering. A constant remembrance of the whole people of God saves us from sectarian thinking and acting.

Only after they have introduced themselves to God on the basis of their sacrifices do they go to the king’s servants (Ezra 8:36). God always has the first rights and must first be given what is due to Him. Then it is the turn of others. They deliver the king’s edicts to the king’s satraps and to the governors. The king’s officers act according to what the king has commanded them (Ezra 7:21-24) and “support the people and the house of God”. Ezra thus fulfills the purpose of the enterprise. What he does in the two following chapters is not a goal of his journey, but a consequence of his main goal.