Return Under Ezra. Ezra 7 & 8

 

Ezra 7 & 8– Return Under Ezra

 

Ezra was a descendant of Phineas, the grandson of Aaron. He belongs to the priestly line.

There was no temple, it had been burned and destroyed. About two thousand Jews, led by Ezra, planned to go to Jerusalem. The temple now has been rebuilt so that there was a place for him to minister.

 When Jews married pagan people, they were drawn into the worship of their gods. Judgment fell upon Israel in the form of a plague. Phineas, the son of Eleazar, stayed the plague by executing the man who had taken the midianite woman and executing her also. Two lives were sacrificed to save a multitude of lives. God promised Phineas that the priesthood would remain in his family forever.

Ezra spent his time studying the Word of God. He had a reputation in Babylon with the king, as being a scribe of the words of the Lord God.

They returned to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes. It took almost five months to make the trip.

Ezra wanted God’s people o know God’s statutes and judgments. He was given the authority to appoint magistrates and judges. This was the king’s decree. This was in reference to the Jews after they arrived in the land.

 

Chapter 8

 

Ezra made sure the Levites went with him. The Nethiniums, who were the servants, went along also. Ezra called for a fast and a great prayer meeting at the river of Ahava. He wanted to know God’s will. He depended on God to make the journey safe, and God did watch over them. They arrived safely in Jerusalem. They took all the gold and silver that the king sent with them into the temple, into the house of God. It was a glorious thing to be back in Jerusalem and be able to offer sacrifices to God.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.