Ezra 2 CAME AGAIN There was a new foreign policy in effect when Persia became the ruling empire of the Middle East under the leadership of Cyrus. People who had been captured by the Babylonians were allowed to return to where they came from in order to create a buffer around Persia itself. It was because of this policy that Cyrus was moved by God to have Jews who were living in Babylon as captives, go back to Judah and Israel. Even though Cyrus was not a believer in the sense of being born again, we can see evidence of one who acknowledged the fact of God as the Supreme Being, and did not want the judgment of God to fall on him like it did on Belshazzar who died after a night of careless, licentious revelry in which he had used the vessels of the Lord as drinking cups.
Like Egypt represents the world (cosmos) system of society and government, Babylon represents the religious world of popular opinion and human ideas as the way spiritual life is to be practiced. When men put their opinions into the mix of "spiritual" life, there is nothing but a mixture of confusion and controversy. Each person or group of people who promote their own convictions becomes a sect that divides it from other sects. When the people of God are committed to the scriptures of truth and the only source of information as to belief and conduct of life, there is a sense of submission to divine authority instead of human authority, and a willingness to stay within the parameters of the word of God, even though that is despised by religionists.
The children of Israel had been in bondage to Egypt, the world, hundreds of years before. Now they had spent seventy years in bondage to the religious world of Babylon. This edict of Cyrus opened the way for those with a desire for God in their hearts to go "up to Jerusalem," to the "house of God" even house they had to start from a scratch. The temple had to be rebuilt. But God had His people there ready to go forward in spite of weakness and difficulties. God has had His people all down through the centuries who have had no man-made name to identify them except the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. He has the same today. People ask, "Who are you? What name is your religion? Why can't you be like others so we can identify you?" For some reason they cannot see that the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ whose name is above every name, is the name of the Person to whom we gather. It is not a religion, but a living organism gathered to a living Person who "is the same yesterday, and today, and forever." When we gather to that name alone, we have the Holy Spirit of God to guide us and preside over the gathering of God's people under the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ.
During the years since the church was born at the day of Pentecost, there have been times of revival and rebuilding among the people of God that has had a positive impact on the whole body of Christ. One of those revival times that affected the English-speaking world, has resulted in a return to the Bible only, as our source of guidance and instruction. Assemblies of God's people who have returned to the simplicity of practicing what the scriptures say, have been gathered throughout the world. These groups are committed to the word of God in the scriptures as their only source of information and truth for Gospel activity and teaching relating to church gathering. Revival can, and does happen when the time and condition for it takes place in the lives of God's people. "If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land." it is incumbent on us to leave that which of the world of Egyptian bondage, and that which is worldly religion, the Babylonian bondage, and turn to God and to "the place" where the Lord has put His name. The important thing is to whom we have gathered, and the place where we are, not what we might have left or even what other people might say. The names of those who make the journey to where our Lord has put His name, are known to Him. "We are not our own. We have been bought with a price." The lists of names in this chapter include leaders, families and their cities, priests, Levites and servants. All are important, and each and every one has a role to fill in the rebuilding process. No one is insignificant in the family of God or to the work of the Lord.
The first list is names of leaders whose leadership is important in any enterprise or group of people including families, assemblies and businesses as well as nations. In this list there are two leaders who shared the main leadership responsibility. Zerubbabel was the leader from the line of royalty, and Jeshua from the line of the priests. There is safety when leaders take counsel together and come to a consensus even though each is from a different viewpoint. There are practical matters to be considered, and as a "kingdom of priests" there are spiritual matters to be discussed together. God's people need the kind of guidance that meets the needs of all aspects of divine service, so we have a plurality of leadership in God's assemblies.
It is quite likely that many in this first list who were recognized leaders in some way among the people of God. There are a number of ways one's reputation is established. Perhaps some were from families who had been taken captive in Judah years earlier, and it was obvious they had learned what was right and wrong by the time spent in captivity. Others were probably born in captivity but in the new generation some had arisen among them who appreciated the uniqueness of God's people and had a sincere desire to serve God where they were. These could be trusted to serve by leading in the rebuilding project.
Judah had failed, but purging had taken place, and some of God's people at least recognized the faith of their fathers in the Lord God of Israel. These not only returned to the faith of their fathers, but when the opportunity arose, they wanted to return to the place of their fathers. Those in leadership included leaders among the priests who knew what had to be done in restoring scriptural practices and scriptural worship. There were Levites who could lead, who knew what to do in the service of the Lord including the care and maintenance of the temple to be built, and the way to prepare the sacrifices for the priests to offer. Temple servants from the tribe of Levi knew personally, or had been told by their aged fathers what had to be done and how it was to be done in order to satisfy the teaching of the word of God.
Others in the list had served the kings, and knew what was appropriate to be consistent with divine authority. Some wanted to serve but were not qualified, so had other work to do that would be useful and needed in other places. The reason for genealogies was to know why each person fit in the overall scheme of things and what part of the work in which they were to participate. Those who were not qualified to fill a position were not free to do whatever they wanted. Just because we want to do a certain thing doesn't give us the right to do it. God has an order. That order is essential to keep those who are not in the family of God from being deceived or from deceiving others.
Not everyone who wants to be a part of the work of the Lord can participate in it. It is not uncommon in a new outreach work for some people who profess to be saved to want to take a leading role and have a voice in decisions that are made. Such people who push themselves forward are either motivated by a fleshly desire to lead, if they are Christians, or they may not be saved at all. That kind of attitude is not the humility that is associated with spiritual leadership. The evidence of spiritual life is seen in the consistent walk with the Lord and a willingness to do simple and menial things with the heart and without recognition. When someone comes among us with an obvious desire to lead and advance themselves, we owe it to that person to let them know why we question the reality of their profession. They may have been misled by someone or something into thinking they are saved when they are not.
Some people are known by their own history and/ or family reputation. Others are known by the reputation of the place from which they came and where their forbearers came. That knowledge came be discerned by a person who is known locally, knowing the stranger who is coming among the saints and can be recommended personally. Another scriptural way of discerning reality of faith and practice is when a letter of recommendation identifies the person and names of responsible people are put to the letter. A question or two can usually settle any doubts there may be about the reality of a person's faith and commitment to the word of God.
God has His own people for the time and place in which they are found. Even though they may be faithful to Him and His word, not all who follow them are people of true faith in Christ. Their children may do the same things and their forbearers for a time, but when there are pressures or temptations to change, they may be revealed as to who they are in truth. Applying ourselves to the role we have been given by divine Persons and the ability to fill that role, keeps us from meddling in another person's line of work and/or criticizing their work for God because it is not like ours. We may think another person isn't doing what we think they should, but it is to "his own Master" he is responsible. He has his work in the kingdom and I have mine. Rebuilding that which has been lost takes all of us to work in harmony together.
There are difficulties that arise among assemblies when true believers come and want to participate in the breaking of bread, and feel they have this right because they say so. They expect the assembly to let them do what they want. One's manner of life, commitment to the word of the Lord, commitment to His people and to His work, their belief as to what the scriptures teach - all need to be investigated. Sometimes what we must do is wait on God in prayer to reveal His will to us. When we ask a person to wait, and watch the proceedings of and assembly meeting, often their real attitude is exposed. Some will walk out angry. Others will appreciate the careful concern and will gladly take the observers seat.
The free-will offerings of the people to support the people making the journey to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple, follows the same pattern as the New Testament church is given. These were not tithes of ten percent. Whether it was animals, goods or money, it was up to the giver what they were willing to give to further the work ahead. This principle of giving to God is the scriptural practice of the New Testament church. This is different and separate because this is a response to God's grace, rather than keeping the law. The proportionate giving maintains that for which we are responsible. The free-will giving is to further the work in which others are engaged. We are to give from the heart to God from that which He has given to us. The "ability" to give is up to us.
The great number of burden-bearing animals included in this great group would have been loaded with material brought from Babylon to be used in the work ahead. The 900-mile journey would have been arduous and a lot of food was needed for around 50,00 people beside the animals. The sacrificial giving of the leaders who gave what they could, was a good example to all the others to give of goods, labor or whatever they had. The physical destruction of Jerusalem and the temple site likely grown over with weeds, would have moved the hearts of the godly to take action.