The Return of Named Hebrews

Ezra 2:1-2

God

 

"2 Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;

² Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mizpar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:"
     God keeps His covenant, His promises, and His people exactly when, where, and how He deems.  This is an absolute.  In the picture above we see a current picture of a wall in the City of David, Jerusalem, the undisputed capitol of Israel.  In Nehemiah we saw the walls and gates were completed under opposition by surrounding enemies and discouragement from within, yet in 52 days the city's protection was in place, and gates purposefully installed and functional.
     Now, here in Ezra we see actual names listed for the Hebrew people returning to the city of the king for the restoration of the nation, for the Christ was coming in the near future, in the fullness of God's timing, things had to fall in place just so.  Not just things but people too.  In 536 B.C. 49, 897 Hebrews would return under the edict of Cyrus with Zerubbabel as governor of the Judean province.  The first act in Jerusalem in 536 B.C. would be to build an altar for worship to God, but when Ezra returned only 2,000 Hebrews would leave Babylon.  This illustrates the apostasy of the Hebrew people and their love for the sensuality of Babylon.  The 2,000 represent the faithful, for they are named and listed.  When a name is listed in the Bible, it is significant for good or bad.  In this instance, it is for faithfulness and love of their heritage and Yaweh!  Remind anyone of the Lamb's Book of Life?  These people had to have faith to leave their lives, homes, and fortunes to rebuild a desolated city.  They left BONDAGE and trekked to the city of PEACE, like when we leave the world of self and flesh for the Prince of Peace, then our names are recorded by God as well!!!!  How awesome is that?

 

 

     The Holy vessels taken when Jerusalem was sacked were returned with Ezra.  This set in motion the beginning of the return to worship and preparation for the Temple's reconstruction, sacrifice system, and the restoration of the Word-Law of God.  All precursors to the coming Messiah.  Now that we have set the stage for Ezra's return, tomorrow we shall look at the revival, the removal of unclean situations and the putting away of the relationships God had forbid.  Share with the Saints Beloved, Love in Christ Jason.