Sermon Central
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The Return Of Ezra Series
Contributed by Larry Wilson on Nov 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: Sermon 14 in the series. Artaxerxes has granted Ezra's request to return to Jerusalem. 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-Euphra
• They were carrying a very substantial sum of wealth.
• Bandits were notorious along these routes (then and today). (This is IRAQ!)
• So they get very serious with God!
• It is one thing to brag on God’s power.
• Ezra, wanting the King to grant his request, had portrayed Jehovah as a powerful God whose wrath must be appeased (even by kings).
• Artaxerxes believed this.
• Now, for Ezra, It is another thing to realize that God’s power may be hindered (in our behalf) by our actions and attitudes.
3. The Response (23)
[23] So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.
• God heard their prayer!
• Fasting is never extolled as a discipline within itself.
• Fasting is always associated with prayer.
• Fasting allows us to be free from distractions during prayer.
• God honors serious prayer from pure hearts!
Psa 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
Psalm 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
D. The Money (24-30, 33-34)
NOTE: The total weight of the precious cargo the exiles took with them seems to have been about 28 tons. There are records that indicate that there were some very wealthy Jews living in Babylon at this time. (Constable) This would be many, many millions of dollars in our currency. (BKC)
A. The Counting (24-27)
• They are carrying a vast offering for the work back with them.
• Finances are a touchy matter that always deserve special attention.
• Ezra does not want the task at hand to be criticized as to its handling of the offering.
• He is very careful to keep himself aloof from suspicion.
• We have a parallel to this in the NT.
• Paul writes to the Corinthian Church:
1Co 16:1-4 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. (2) Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. (3) And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. (4) And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.
[24] Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them,
• 12 Priests
• 2 Levites (Sherebiah, Hashabiah)
• 10 of their brethren.
• = 24 total that are placed over this task.
[25] And weighed unto them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering of the house of our God, which the king, and his counsellors, and his lords, and all Israel there present, had offered: [26] I even weighed unto their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels an hundred talents, and of gold an hundred talents; [27] Also twenty basons of gold, of a thousand drams; and two vessels of fine copper, precious as gold.
