Ezra 8
Summary for Ezra 8:1-14: 8:1-14 a This list of the family leaders designates those who stepped out in faith and traveled with Ezra back to Jerusalem to join the Jewish community there. It lists fifteen families represented by 1,515 men. Including women and children, the total could have been around 5,000 people.8:15 b The Ahava Canal came off the Euphrates River near Babylon.
• not one Levite had volunteered: Only a few Levites had come earlier with Sheshbazzar (2:40 c). It is unclear why so few Levites returned to Jerusalem.
Summary for Ezra 8:16-17: 8:16-17 d The Hebrew term translated men of discernment refers to those who could interpret and explain the Torah. These men were probably respected because of their expertise in Scripture (cp. Neh 8:8-9 e). Ezra commissioned them to use their influence to recruit more Levites.
8:18 f the gracious hand of our God: Ezra, his leaders, and Iddo all took action to rectify the problem, but ultimately everything was accomplished because of God’s grace. Only thirty-eight Levites (including the leaders) and 220 Temple servants responded.
8:20 g first instituted by King David and his officials: See 1 Chr 24–26 h.
8:21 i fast and humble ourselves: Ezra recognized the need to look to God for the protection, safety, and health of 5,000 people going 800 miles on foot. Robbers might be hiding in the hills, there was danger in crossing rivers, and people could get sick.
8:22 j ashamed: Ezra had openly proclaimed his faith in God’s ability to protect the Israelites on their journey. Asking the king for help now would suggest that Ezra did not really believe in God’s ability to provide.
8:23 k fasted ... prayed: In the Old Testament, fasting often accompanied prayer as a demonstration of need before God (1 Kgs 21:9 l; 2 Chr 20:3 m; Neh 1:4 n; Dan 9:3 o).
8:25 p The items that the leaders were in charge of transporting included offerings for the Temple and sacrifices. Because these gifts belonged to God and were holy (8:28 q), it was necessary that the priests care for them.
Summary for Ezra 8:26-27: 8:26-27 r The Persians and supportive Jews had given an enormous amount of money. It was a huge risk to transport it without a royal escort.
Summary for Ezra 8:31-32: 8:31-32 s We broke camp ... on April 19: It took twelve days to get organized, to encourage some Levites to join them, and to pray for God’s protection before Ezra could actually get the people moving toward Jerusalem (see 7:9 t).
8:35 u sacrificed burnt offerings: For many of the Jews who came to Jerusalem with Ezra, this was probably the first sacrifice they had ever offered. It would have been a moving spiritual experience for them to confess their sins and dedicate their lives to God in this way. For details on the burnt offering, see Lev 1 v.
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