The Return Of Ezra Series

The Book of Ezra

Study #14

(Ezra 8:1-36)

The Return of Ezra

Introduction:

• Between the events of chapter 6 and the return of Ezra in chapter 7 is a period of fifty-seven years.

• The entire book of Esther fits between these chapters.

• We now find ourselves at a point of transition.

• Although the people had re-established the Temple worship under Zerubbabel and Jeshua, they were not living in complete obedience to the Law.

• Unfortunately, they had lapsed into sin; and it was Ezra’s task to bring them back to the Lord.

• It was to the task of teaching and preaching the Law that Ezra had resigned himself (vs. 10). (Wiersbe and KJV Bible commentary)

• Two studies ago we looked at the way the Ezra had prepared himself for leadership and the Lord’s blessings.

• Last time, we saw that Ezra asks for permission to leave and head for Jerusalem to minister to the Lord’s people.

• He would minister to:

Those Defiant of the Word (25A)

[25] And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God;

Those Deficient in the Word (25B)

(25B) and teach ye them that know them not.

• Surprisingly, Artaxerxes grants his request.

• And not only that, but provision is made for the journey to be financed by freewill offerings, official government contributions, and tax revenues from the Trans-Euphrates province.

• I marvel that this pagan king is paying for the journey of Ezra, that he might teach the people the word of God!

• Let’s look back at his words concerning the offering:

Ezra 7:17-18 That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem. [18] And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God.

• Now, Ezra begins to assemble the people and to make physical and spiritual preparations.

• Please note that, beginning in the last verse of chapter 7 (7:28) through chapter 8, Ezra is referred to in the first person.

NOTE: Once again the careful student of the Bible will observe the repeated mention of “the hand of the Lord.” (See study #13, Conclusion)

I. EZRA’S RETURN ARRANGED (1-30)

A. The Men (1-14)

NOTE: A comparison of verses 3-14 with 2:3-15 shows that Ezra's companions were mainly the relatives of those Jews who had returned 80 years earlier under Sheshbazzar. The one exception was Joab's family (v. 9). (Constable)

NOTE: The total number of males in this section is 1,496 plus the men named, so with the addition of the women and children the number easily approaches 7 - 8,000. (MacArthur, J. J. )

Ezra 8:1-36 These are now the chief of their fathers, and this is the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king. [2] Of the sons of Phinehas; Gershom: of the sons of Ithamar; Daniel: of the sons of David; Hattush.

• Apparently, the above three men go up to Jerusalem alone, none of their family accompanies them!

♬ “Though none go with me, still I will follow.” (I have decided to follow Jesus)

[3] Of the sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pharosh; Zechariah: and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males an hundred and fifty.

• Only males are reckoned here, yet look at 8:21 to see that, clearly, women went also.

• Those associated with each name are sons, grandsons, nephews, etc.

• This Shechaniah is distinguished (“sons of Pharosh”)from the one coming in verse 5.

[4] Of the sons of Pahath-moab; Elihoenai the son of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred males. [5] Of the sons of Shechaniah; the son of Jahaziel, and with him three hundred males.

• Of the approximate 1,500 males that went, 300 are relatives Shechaniah!

• How God can bless through family lines.

• God said of Abraham:

Gen 18:19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

[6] Of the sons also of Adin; Ebed the son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males. [7] And of the sons of Elam; Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him seventy males. [8] And of the sons of Shephatiah; Zebadiah the son of Michael, and with him fourscore males. [9] Of the sons of Joab; Obadiah the son of Jehiel, and with him two hundred and eighteen males. [10] And of the sons of Shelomith; the son of Josiphiah, and with him an hundred and threescore males. [11] And of the sons of Bebai; Zechariah the son of Bebai, and with him twenty and eight males. [12] And of the sons of Azgad; Johanan the son of Hakkatan, and with him an hundred and ten males. [13] And of the last sons of Adonikam, whose names are these, Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah, and with them threescore males. [14] Of the sons also of Bigvai; Uthai, and Zabbud, and with them seventy males.