Ezra Chapter 2

Introduction

This is a very boring chapter.   No really, a long list of names.  How tedious.  So where’s the personal application?   We’ll get there.   I want to remind you what pastor Shane had to say about, 2 Timothy 3:16, “Every (underline Every) word of scripture is given by inspiration of God…” It’s God-breathed, so it’s there for a reason.   I’m not going to analyze every name, but, I’m sure you’ve heard this; if you look at the names in the genealogy of Adam through Noah in Genesis, the Gospel itself is hidden (encoded if you will) in the names.   I’m not saying that’s the case here, but there is meaning, purpose and design behind everything in this book.

Verse 1 gives us a little bit of an outline of what’s to come

Now these are the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of the exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his city.

Remember the historical context pastor Shane gave us last week. Babylon conquered Judah and Jerusalem 70 years earlier.   The cream of the crop people had been carried away to Babylon and the poor people had been left behind in Israel, with a Babylonian governor over them.  So Judah and Jerusalem was considered a province of the Persian empire now because Persia had taken over Babylon..

Before we move on, pastor Shane raised the question; what about the people who didn’t return to Israel from Babylon, what about them?   Were they being disobedient? I believe verses 5 & 6 from chapter 1 give us the answer.   

Then the heads of the fathers’ houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, with all whose spirits God had moved, arose to go up and build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. And all those who were around them encouraged them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered.

Those who stayed behind played a vital part in this work by encouraging and giving.  But also, and maybe more importantly, they hadn’t been stirred by God to go.   Not everyone is called by God to every work of God.  Relate the story of Ben Vahedy.

Verses 2-60 let’s read them all.  All of ‘em?   Yes, all of them, oh goodie. What if your name was in this list, you’d read it intently; just like you look for yourself in a picture (you know you do).

2 These came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum and Baanah.

The number of the men of the people of Israel: 

3 the sons of Parosh, 2,172; 

4 the sons of Shephatiah, 372; 

5 the sons of Arah, 775; 

6 the sons of Pahath-moab of the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,812; 

7 the sons of Elam, 1,254; 

8 the sons of Zattu, 945; 

9 the sons of Zaccai, 760; 

10 the sons of Bani, 642; 

11 the sons of Bebai, 623; 

12 the sons of Azgad, 1,222; 

13 the sons of Adonikam, 666; 

14 the sons of Bigvai, 2,056; 

15 the sons of Adin, 454; 

16 the sons of Ater of Hezekiah, 98; 

17 the sons of Bezai, 323; 

18 the sons of Jorah, 112; 

19 the sons of Hashum, 223; 

20 the sons of Gibbar, 95; 

21 the men of Bethlehem, 123; 

22 the men of Netophah, 56; 

23 the men of Anathoth, 128; 

24 the sons of Azmaveth, 42; 

25 the sons of Kiriath-arim, Chephirah and Beeroth, 743; 

26 the sons of Ramah and Geba, 621; 

27 the men of Michmas, 122; 

28 the men of Bethel and Ai, 223; 

29 the sons of Nebo, 52; 

30 the sons of Magbish, 156; 

31 the sons of the other Elam, 1,254; 

32 the sons of Harim, 320; 

33 the sons of Lod, Hadid and Ono, 725; 

34 the men of Jericho, 345; 

35 the sons of Senaah, 3,630.

Priests Returning

36 The priests: the sons of Jedaiah of the house of Jeshua, 973; 

37 the sons of Immer, 1,052; 

38 the sons of Pashhur, 1,247; 

39 the sons of Harim, 1,017.

Levites Returning

40 The Levites: the sons of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the sons of Hodaviah, 74. 

41 The singers: the sons of Asaph, 128. 

42 The sons of the gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, in all 139.

43 The temple servants: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth, 

44 the sons of Keros, the sons of Siaha, the sons of Padon, 

45 the sons of Lebanah, the sons of Hagabah, the sons of Akkub, 

46 the sons of Hagab, the sons of Shalmai, the sons of Hanan, 

47 the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, the sons of Reaiah, 

48 the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, the sons of Gazzam, 

49 the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, the sons of Besai, 

50 the sons of Asnah, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephisim, 

51 the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur, 

52 the sons of Bazluth, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha, 

53 the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah, 

54 the sons of Neziah, the sons of Hatipha.

55 The sons of Solomon’s servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Hassophereth, the sons of Peruda, 

56 the sons of Jaalah, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, 

57 the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the sons of Ami.

58 All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon’s servants were 392.

59 Now these are those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan and Immer, but they were not able to give evidence of their fathers’ households and their descendants, whether they were of Israel: 

60 the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, 652.

Family

To my mind, this impresses me about the importance of the family.   All these names represent families.  Family is the basis for society, and the litmus test for leadership in the church.   Titus 1:5-6 Paul says to Titus, “ For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. Yada, yada, yada...

I get it, in the world, not every family looks like a mom, and a dad and children.   God’s design and best for the family would be just that.

What’s in a Name?

We often name our children either after a family member or close friend; maybe after someone we really like or who left a strong impression on us.   Back in the olden days, people named their children in a somewhat prophetic way.   In other words, if you saw something in the nature or personality of your child, that was how you’d name the little one.   Jacob was “heel-catcher”.   Esau was “Hairy” H-A-I-R-Y.   In fact, sometimes they waited a while until they named the child, so they could actually observe the child.   Other times they’d project what they wanted (as in their aspirations for the child) in the way they named them.

For just a brief moment, I want us to consider the name of Jesus.   It means “The LORD saves”, or the LORD is salvation.   We pray in Jesus' mighty name.   We cast out demons in Jesus name.  We are insulted for the name of Jesus, 1 Peter 4:14 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

Acts 4:12 says, neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Philippians 2:9-11 says, Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

One other name, not in this list, I want to look at, because it points to Jesus.   That’s the name of the book itself; Ezra.   The name Ezra means help.  Think of Eliezer in the Old Testament and Lazarus, in the new.   Same root word for all those names.  We look to heaven for help; we look to God for help; we look to the LORD Jesus Christ for help.   We all have a dilemma; did you know we’re all on death row.   Every one of us.  We need help.   We need an advocate.   We need to get off death row.   And Jesus suffered death (he took the penalty of death) for us.

God Notices and God Remembers

Know this, just like God saw fit to include the names of all these people here, in this list, so we could remember them… God notices and remembers YOU. 

One of the sad things that came out of this COVID-19 situation was that many of the kids who graduated from high school this year didn’t get to hear their name read out loud at a graduation ceremony.   They didn’t really get that recognition they deserved.   Jackson high seniors did have a graduation parade, which came right down my street, preceded by fire trucks red lights and sirens blaring. I went out and gave the kids the thumbs up.  Good job! I was proud of them.  But it was sad at the same time.

We want to be recognized; to hear our name, but most importantly we want to hear our name during the heavenly roll-call: 

Rev 3:5 ‘He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

All the people here mentioned in Ezra chapter 2 were sanctified; set apart by God to accomplish a task, God stirred them up, and they responded and acted in faith.   Everything in the Bible is not always about me, or you, but in this case, I think it’s completely appropriate to say that God recognizes these people (and you as well) because they stepped out in faith.   Also, think about all these details.   If you tally up the numbers of all these people.   Guess what?   The Jewish nation increased in number while they were in captivity.   Does that seem familiar?   Isn’t that true in our lives as well?   We grow and mature in our faith under difficult circumstances.   1 Thessalonians 3:1-4 Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith, 3 so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. 4 For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know.

John 16:32-33 Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

So, basically if you think things are bad, cheer up, they’ll get worse. If your only hope is in this life, this world, you’re going to be let down, disappointed.  But if your hope is for help from our savior above, you’ll never be ashamed.  He’ll never leave you or forsake you.

Revelation 19:1 After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God

Psalm 60

Psalm 60 Lament over Defeat in Battle, and Prayer for Help.

1 O God, You have rejected us. You have broken us; You have been angry; O, restore us.

2 You have made the land quake, You have split it open; Heal its breaches, for it totters.

3 You have made Your people experience hardship; You have given us wine to drink that makes us stagger.

4 You have given a banner to those who fear You, That it may be displayed because * of the truth. Selah.

5 That Your beloved may be delivered, Save with Your right hand, and answer us!

6 God has spoken in His holiness: "I will exult, I will portion out Shechem and measure out the valley of Succoth.

7 "Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the helmet of My head; Judah is My scepter.

8 "Moab is My washbowl; Over Edom I shall throw My shoe; Shout loud, O Philistia, because of Me!"

9 Who will bring me into the besieged city? Who will lead me to Edom?

10 Have not You Yourself, O God, rejected us? And will You not go forth with our armies, O God?

11 O give us help against the adversary, For deliverance by man is in vain.

12 Through God we shall do valiantly, And it is He who will tread down our adversaries.

The historical reference here is when David led Israel against Mesopotamia and Syria of Zobah, and Joab returned and killed twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.   These events were from sometime in the earlier part of King David’s reign, when he subjected neighboring nations. 2 Samuel 8:1-8 records David’s victories over Philistia, Moab, and Syria. 2 Samuel 10:1-19 tells of David’s victories over Ammon and Syria. 1 Chronicles 18:11-13 gives us David’s victories over Edom (and specifically in the Valley of Salt), Moab, Ammon, Philistia, and Amalek.

The victories described in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles do not mention the kind of setbacks lamented in this psalm. It reminds us that the historical record often condenses events, and that the successes were real, yet not always immediate.

If we take the approach David took, what do we do, when we experience defeat in our life, “defeat”, as in:

• We lose our employment or our business
• We lose our child to addiction or sin or worse yet, death
• We lose our health to some serious ailment
• We lose a friend to betrayal
• We lose our marriage to infidelity

Don’t turn inward, at least not too long.  Yes, try to understand why something has gone wrong, but  immediately look to the Lord.  Remember that His “Banner over us is LOVE”, in fact He is our Banner (Jehovah Nissi).  Quickly bring to mind how He has come through and delivered us from similar situations in the past.   Look ahead in faith and trust that he will make things right.   Ultimately, it may not even be in this lifetime, but look forward to how God will bring beauty from ashes.   Expect God to bring restoration from seeming destruction.  

I want to focus on one thing.   Here’s the core nugget of what I want to meditate on, ponder, consider, mull over, and think about:

• God’s holiness

Sometimes, we can learn about something, by gaining an understanding of what that something is not.   So I’m going to use Pastor Shane’s example of what holiness is not, i.e. unholiness: If I were to go into the kitchen, open a drawer and get a very nice kitchen spoon, and then proceed to go outside and use that spoon to pick up the doggie mess.   That’s a no, no.  Ah, ah, it ought not be done.   It’s unholy.   The spoon would be defiled.   Holiness, on the other hand, would be using the spoon for its intended purpose; in the kitchen.   In the right way.   Using that spoon as it's meant to be used.   That spoon goes through the dishwasher to keep it clean.   That’s holiness.

God’s holiness should result in our holiness.   Our life will become holy, as we fellowship with the LORD, and grow in His grace.   We will be used by God for His perfect purposes.  We will accomplish His will.   We will “do valiantly, and He will tread down our adversaries”.   I want to use the Food Bank Team as an example of being used for holy purposes.

Don’t Try Jesus

Someone may have told you, "take a chance on Jesus, what do you have to lose?"

That's not the right way to look at things.

You may have heard said, "give Jesus a try", you know, try Jesus out, take him for a test drive so-to-speak.   Ah, ah.   Don't go there.   Pontus Pilate tried Jesus, and because of that, Pilate suffered tremendous grief.

The Lord Jesus Christ isn't just one among many, who you might put your chips on.   He isn't your best bet, He's your only hope.   He's the only possibility.

Jesus Himself said, "I am the way, the truth and the life, and no one (THAT IS NO ONE) comes to the Father except through me".

It says, "there is salvation in no  one else, for there is no other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved"

Jesus died on the cross for our sins and raised for our justification.

You can have new life and eternal life and forgiveness of sins, by repenting and trusting in Jesus.

If any person is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old things have passed away and all things have become new.

God bless