Ezr 2:59 | MHM | STEP | v. 59–63 : Some people returning to Jerusalem claimed to be Israelites but could not prove their ancestry (Ezra 2:59–60 ). They still wanted to be part of God’s people and return to the land. This is a challenge to true-born Israelites who did not care to return or follow God (Isaiah 48:1 ). Some claimed to be priests but could not prove they were descendants of Aaron. One family lost their priestly status because their ancestor married a daughter of Barzillai and wanted to be known by that family instead of the priestly line. When records were lost, so was their right to serve as priests. They were not allowed to eat the sacred offerings, because it had to be clear that they were truly priests. The governor (possibly Zerubbabel or Nehemiah, Nehemiah 8:9; 10:1 ) ordered them to wait until there would be a high priest with Urim and Thummim to show God’s will. This special way of knowing God’s choice did not come back under the second temple. Instead, the completed Old Testament scriptures became their guide, pointing them to expect the Messiah, who is the true and final Word from God. The second temple also did not have the ark of the covenant. But God promised that his people would not lack anything important by its absence. One day, they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord , and all the nations shall be gathered to it ; then, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the Lord (Jeremiah 3:16–17 ). God’s presence would be with them in a new and better way.

‏ Ezra 2:59

v. 59–63: Some people returning to Jerusalem claimed to be Israelites but could not prove their ancestry (Ezra 2:59–60 ^a). They still wanted to be part of God’s people and return to the land. This is a challenge to true-born Israelites who did not care to return or follow God (Isaiah 48:1 ^b). Some claimed to be priests but could not prove they were descendants of Aaron. One family lost their priestly status because their ancestor married a daughter of Barzillai and wanted to be known by that family instead of the priestly line. When records were lost, so was their right to serve as priests. They were not allowed to eat the sacred offerings, because it had to be clear that they were truly priests. The governor (possibly Zerubbabel or Nehemiah, Nehemiah 8:9; 10:1 ^c) ordered them to wait until there would be a high priest with Urim and Thummim to show God’s will. This special way of knowing God’s choice did not come back under the second temple. Instead, the completed Old Testament scriptures became their guide, pointing them to expect the Messiah, who is the true and final Word from God.

The second temple also did not have the ark of the covenant. But God promised that his people would not lack anything important by its absence. One day, they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord, and all the nations shall be gathered to it; then, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the Lord (Jeremiah 3:16–17 ^d). God’s presence would be with them in a new and better way.