Session 22: Ezra’s Return, part 2

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King Artaxerxes' letter granting authority and resources (vv.7:11-7:26)

A. Letter From The King (vv.11-12)

Copy of the letter from king Artaxerxes to Ezra the priest (v.11):
- A reminder: this Araxerxes is Darius hystaspes.
- Ezra is introduced as both priest and scribe, “even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD.”
  - this clarification is because prior to this points scribes were largely governmental, not religious
Artaxerxes greeting to Ezra the priest and scribe of the law (v.12):
- The greeting, “Perfect peace, and at such a time” is unique.
  - Perfect [peace] - KJV inserts the word peace, based on the Ezra 4:17.
  - “at such a time” - the phrase is found only 4 times in the Bible, all in Ezra (4:10, 11, 12; 7:12)
    - while it sounds like something theologically significant, it is only found in Aramaic official letters, and is a customary official perfunctory statement.
    - Much like old English, “etc., etc., etc.”

B. Decree for Israelites and priests to go to Jerusalem with Ezra (vv.13-14)

Ezra and any “which are minded of their own freewill,” are granted permission to go to Jerusalem.
Darius believed that the children of Israel were compelled by “the law of thy God” to go to Jerusalem.

C. Instructions for carrying offerings and silver and gold for the house of God (vv.15-19)

Carrying silver and gold offered by “the king and his counselors” as well as others who desired to give “to God of Israel” (vv.15-16)
Buying offerings to present on altar in Jerusalem (v.17)
- At least 11 times in Ezra we are told that the Temple is “in Jerusalem.”
- The king and the people of Persia were giving of their wealth for the sacrificial system of the Jews.
Permission to use the remaining silver and gold in accordance with the will of God (v.18)
Delivering any remaining vessels for service of God’s house (v.19)

D. Provision for needs of the house of God from king’s treasury (vv.20-23)

The king was unbelievably generous with his favorable disposition to the Jews and the restoration of Jerusalem and Judah.
He had a fear of God: “for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?”

E. Exemption of priests and Levites from tolls and appointment of judges (vv.24-26)

This is the first explicit civil declaration of a tax exemption for religious workers in the Bible.
Earlier, the priests of Egypt were exempt from participating in Joseph’s use of land for developing an emergency grain supply (Genesis 47:22), but the Ezra statement is more explicit.

Ezra's blessing and gathering of leaders (vv.7:27-7:28)

Ezra appends a personal word of gratitude.
That is the first unmistakable first-person testimony from Ezra himself.
From this point, chapters 8-9 include a fair amount of personal testimony.

Genealogies and numbers of those returning with Ezra (vv.8:1-8:14)

This list contains the list of those who returned in the second return with Ezra.
Verse 2 shows that the two remaining lines of Aaron returned and another from the line of David.
- Phiheas was the line of the high priest. Ithamar was the other surviving son, whose line still remained by the time of Ezra.
- Hattush, a descendent of David. Zerubabbel was the “kingly” line, but there were other offspring in secondary lines.
Verses 3-14 give names and numbers of this return.
While this account doesn’t give a total count of those returning, it is likely in the neighborhood of 4,000-6,000.

Preparation, fasting, and securing ministers for the house of God (vv.8:15-8:20)

A. Gathering at the river that runneth to Ahava (v.15)

Ahava was clearly a known river in Babylon, but is now forgotten.
- Note: The Hebrew word ahava (love) is of a different root than this aramaic word.
- There was a three-day staging-meeting during which Ezra realized there were no Levites among the returnees..

B. Gathering of Levites and Nethinims (vv. 16-20)

The problem of no Levites would be very problematic in the future, so Ezra “stops the parade” and sends out a search party.
Rather than fret, or even pray, he sends out “men of understanding” (v. 16)

This is not about muscle. It is about instruction.

The Levites were not just laborers. They were:
- teachers of the Law
- interpreters
- instructors of the people
Compare Nehemiah 8:7–8, where Levites “caused the people to understand the law.”
For reasons unknown, Levites were unavailable but did not volunteer service.
- I think it is best to avoid reading motive into this. It is simply stated as fact.
The end result: 20 Levites and 200 Nethinim. Ezra points out that this was “by the good hand of our God upon us.” This is consistent Ezra language. Also notable that this was done by reason, hard work, and “men of understanding,” but this was all seen as the work of God.

VII. Ordered Preparation, Protected Journey, and Completed Worship (vv. 8:21–36)

Proclamation of a fast at the river of Ahava (vv.21–23)
- Ezra proclaims a fast to humble the people before God
- The desire was to fast in order to “afflict ourselves before our God” (v. 20) in order to receive “a right way” from God.
  - The first fast in the Bible is with David, 1 Samuel 12:21.
  - Fasting as a group experience does not come about until the time of the oppression by Babylon (2 Chron. 20:3), then becomes more common during the time of exile.
  - Note: the Torah never expressly commands fasting. It is practiced on the Day of Atonement by the principle of letting Scripture interpret itself. Leviticus 16:29, teaching on the day of atonement, says, “ye shall afflict your souls.” Not knowing what that meant, rabbinical teaching pulled the answer from Ezra 8:21, along with Isaiah 58:3 (see also Deuteronomy 8:2-3).
  - In the Middle Ages, affliction for divine favor became almost doctrine. It was taught that to be pious, affliction was necessary.
  - In the age of grace in which we live, we should recognize that “afflicting ourselves” is of no value.
- The real reason Ezra wanted God’s favor is that he had boasted of God’s protection and was embarrassed to ask for the protection of the King (vv. 22-23).
Separation and entrusting of offerings to the priests (vv.24–29)
- An additional safety measure was taken: Ezra separatedntwelve chief priests
  - Silver, gold, and vessels are weighed out and entrusted to them
  - These offerings are designated for the house of God
- The priests are charged to:watch, keep, guard the holy items
- The items are to be re-weighed in Jerusalem
Transport of the offerings and journey to Jerusalem (vv.30–32)
- Priests and Levites receive and carry the offerings
- The group departs from Ahava toward Jerusalem
- The hand of God is upon them
- God delivers them from their enemies and ambushes by the way
- The group arrives in Jerusalem and rests
Final weighing in the house of God (vv.33–34)
- The offerings are weighed again in Jerusalem
- Priests and Levites oversee the process
- Every item is accounted for. The weights are recorded in writing, with an emphasis on verification and completion
Sacrificial offerings and delivery of royal commissions (vv.35–36)
- The new arrivals offer sacrifices to God upon their arrival
- The work they do furthers the work of the house of God

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