Chapter Eight PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS 1. Do you think the figures in Ezra 8:3-14 are round numbers or exact numbers? How many do not end in a zero? 2. Do you think Ezra would suggest (Ezra 8:22) that the church rely less on government help, and more on God's care? Are the two always mutually exclu... [ Continue Reading ]
TEXT AND VERSE-BY-VERSE COMMENT B. Lists are given of returnees, and treasures which they carried back; the treasures are delivered. 1. The list of returnees is given. TEXT, Ezra 8:1-14 1 Now these are the heads of their fathers-' households and the genealogical enrollment of those who went up w... [ Continue Reading ]
2. Levites are added to the company. TEXT, EZRA 8:15-20 15 Now I assembled them at the river that runs to Ahava, where we camped for three days; and when I observed the people and the priests, I did not find any Levites there. 16 So I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan... [ Continue Reading ]
3. Leave-taking ceremonies were conducted. TEXT, EZRA 8:21-23 21 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a safe journey for us, our little ones, and all our possessions. 22 For I was ashamed to request from the king tr... [ Continue Reading ]
4. They took along certain treasures, which were entrusted to priests on the journey and were delivered safely at Jerusalem. TEXT, EZRA 8:24-30 24 Then I set apart twelve of the leading priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and with them ten of their brothers; 25 and I weighed out to them the silver,... [ Continue Reading ]
5. The journey is made, and the goods are delivered at Jerusalem. TEXT, EZRA 8:31-36 31 Then we journeyed from the river Ahava on the twelfth of the first month to go to Jerusalem; and the hand of our God was over us, and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy and the ambushes by the way. 32... [ Continue Reading ]