Ezra recruits priests for the journey

EZRA Chapter 8

A list of family leaders and genealogies of those who came with Ezra from Babylon during the reign of King Artaxerxes is found in verses 1 through 14.

Ezra assembled the exiles at Ahava Canal and camped there for three days while he went over the lists of people and priests who arrived. He found that not one Levite had volunteered to come along, so he sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Nathan, Zechariah and Meshullam who were leaders of the people. He also sent for Joiarib and Elnathan, who were wise men. He sent them to Iddo, the leader of the Levites at Casiphia, to ask him and his relatives and Temple servants to send him ministers for the Temple at Jerusalem. By the grace of God, they sent a man named Sherebiah, along with eighteen of his sons and brothers, who was a descendent of Levi. Along with Hashabiah and Jeshaiah and his twenty sons and brothers, and 220 Temple servants. The Temple servants were assistants to the Levites- a group first instituted by King David.

At Ahava Canal, Ezra gave orders for everyone to fast and humble themselves before God and they prayed that he would give them a safe journey and protect them, their children and their goods. Ezra was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to accompany them and protect them from enemies along the way, because they had told the king that God protected those who worship him.

Then Ezra appointed twelve leaders of the priests to be in charge of transporting the silver, gold and gold bowls and other items that the king had presented to the Temple. Ezra himself weighed and counted the items. Then he told the priests that these treasures were a freewill offering to the Lord and they needed to guard them well until they were safely in the storerooms of the Temple.

The gracious hand of the Lord protected these travelers until they reached Jerusalem where they rested for three days. Then the valuables were entrusted to Meremoth, son of Uriah the priest and to Eleazar son of Phinehas and Jozabad son of Jeshua and Noadiah son of Binnui.

Then the exiles sacrificed burnt offerings to the God of Israel and the king's decrees were delivered to his lieutenants and governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, who cooperated by supporting the people and Temple of God.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Ezra couldn't leave on his trip to Jerusalem until he had recruited Levites. It is not explained why the Levites felt the need to be recruited instead of volunteering. But the long trip was 900 miles and took them through dangerous country. Before going, Ezra made spiritual preparations by praying and fasting to show their dependence on God.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? It shows us that often today, we pray superficially. Serious prayer requires concentration and puts us in touch with God's will and it can change us. Ezra had the people fast and humble themselves through prayer. We can prepare the same way, and in doing so, it reminds us of our dependence on God. If you haven't done so in a long time, try getting on your knees and concentrate very hard in making your connection with your God.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is healing but her leg was crushed and will take many months of doctoring. She is in a nursing home for rehab care. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother whose cancer has returned and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them. Update on this family: Her mother in law Mary just had a stroke this week. They are being tested by God and need a wealth of prayers. Pray for them now! Pray that they can find a place for Mary that won’t bankrupt the family.
And pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer.
Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.
Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. Thanks to your prayers, she is able to hobble without a cane and has been granted disability. She still has surgery scheduled on her hand, but I saw her recently and her attitude is fantastic.
Update on Marthaline Sargent. She lost her battle with health problems and passed away last Tuesday. Our condolences to her son Patrick and daughter Stacey. Continue to pray for her husband Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.
Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.
Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who will soon undergo chemo for his prostate cancer.
Pray for John’s recovery from a heart attack and pray he can stop smoking.
Pray for Debbie who lost her home in a fire last week.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.