Ezra – chapters 7 and 8

Joyce Voysey

Way back at the beginning of my musings on Ezra, I mentioned that there were books written objecting Ezra’s exclusive policies.  See post 11.7.12.  Ezra 7:26 gives part of the king’s decree in the letter of commission to Ezra, rather than Ezra’s policy.  I wonder if there is more that has not been revealed as yet.

Chapter 8 offers another recorded listing of those families which went with Ezra: 13 families - totalling 1,496 people.  (Dummelow counted them for me.)  Yes.  Most of the families
had gone before with Zerubbabel during the reign of Cyrus.

Verse 15 tells us that when Ezra counted numbers a short distance from Babylon, he found that no members of the priestly clan of Levi had volunteered to go with the party, and he noted that very few had gone before with Zerubbabel.  So, Ezra sent for some.  These ministers were needed for the house of God that was being rebuilt.  Zechariah’s name is listed there; this seems to be a return visit for him, a priest and a prophet.

In verse 21, Ezra proclaims a fast, seeking the direction of God (Mary Baker Eddy’s great poem/hymn comes to mind – Shepherd, show me how to go.  Ezra relied on prayer for the safety of his people rather than shaming his God by calling on the king for soldiers and horsemen for protection from marauders (Dummelow’s word) along the way.  They were required to be humble before God.  And it worked.

Shall I quote the full poem by Mary Baker Eddy?  Yes.

Shepherd, show me how to go

   O’er the hillside steep,
How to gather, how to sow, -
   How to feed Thy sheep;

I will listen for Thy voice,

   Lest my footsteps stray;
I will follow and rejoice
   All the rugged way.

Thou wilt bind the stubborn will,

   Wound the callous breast,
Make self-righteousness be still,
   Break earth’s stupid rest.

Strangers on a barren shore,

   Lab’ring long and hone,
We would enter by the door,
   And Thou know’st Thine own.

So, when day grows dark and cold,

   Tear or triumph harms,
Lead Thy lambkins to the fold,
  Take them in Thine arms;

Feed the hungry, heal the heart,

   Till the morning’s beam;
White as wool, ere they depart,
   Shepherd, wash them clean.

Twelve priests and their brethren were entrusted with all the treasure which had been brought for the temple.  Its value seems to have been phenomenal.  “Twenty basons of gold of a thousand drams” for one lot.  A dram was very valuable: equal to $5.28.  The Living Bible gives a total value of:  $1,300,000.00 in silver; $200,000.00 in silver utensils; $3,000,000.00 in gold; twenty gold bowls worth a total of $5,000.00; plus pieces of brass which were as precious as gold.  What a responsibility for those in charge of this fortune! 

The people gave thanks for their safe journey by offering of sacrifices to the God of Israel.

The king’s commissions having now been delivered to the king’s lieutenants and governors, the people were ready to work on the temple, which, I suppose, is what’s meant by “…they furthered the people, and the house of God” the words which finish the Chapter.