People Who Could Not Prove They Are Israelites
September 9, 2022
Commentary
There were 652 who returned from the families of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda who could not prove that they were Israelites but had lived in the Babylonian towns of Tel-Melah, Tel-Harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer (vv. 59-60). There were three families who could not prove they were priests, as the records of these families could not be found (vv. 61-62). In fact, they were told by the governor that they could not eat of the food offered to God until they produced records that they really are priests (v. 63). The governor mentioned here was probably Zerubbabel. Those who have no evidence that they are, by the new birth, spiritual priests unto God, through Jesus Christ, have no right to the comforts and privileges of Christians. Seek first the kingdom of God, his favor and his glory, then will all other things be added unto them.
There were servants and musicians who brought with them horses, mules, camels, and donkeys (vv. 64-67). The family leaders brought gifts of gold, silver, and robes for the priests (vv. 68-69). Everyone returned to the towns from which their families had come (v. 70). It is thought that “the most holy things” refers to the meat sacrificed on the altar and food that only the priests could eat. As the temple construction progressed, everyone contributed freewill offerings according to his or her ability (v. 68). Everyone’s effort and cooperation were expected and the people gave as much as they could. Drachmas and Minas were gold and silver coins (v. 69). The money given was enough to start the rebuilding of the temple. These people were enthusiastic givers.
Application
The people who support our ministry are just as important as we who are physically involved.
Ezra 2:59– 70 (NET)
59 These are the ones that came up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon, and Immer (although they were unable to certify their family connection or their ancestry, as to whether they really were from Israel):
60 the descendants of Delaiah, the descendants of Tobiah, and the descendants of Nekoda: 652.
61 And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai (who had taken a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by that name). 62 They searched for their records in the genealogical materials, but did not find them. They were therefore excluded from the priesthood. 63 The governor instructed them not to eat any of the sacred food until there was a priest who could consult the Urim and Thummim.
64 The entire group numbered 42,360, 65 not counting their male and female servants, who numbered 7,337. They also had 200 male and female singers 66 and 736 horses, 245 mules, 67 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys. 68 When they came to the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem, some of the family leaders offered voluntary offerings for the temple of God in order to rebuild it on its site. 69 As they were able, they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 drachmas of gold, 5,000 minas of silver, and 100 priestly robes.
70 The priests, the Levites, some of the people, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants lived in their towns, and all the rest of Israel lived in their towns.
Illustration: How Far Can You See at Night
There was an old man who had witnessed a burglary and appeared in court to identify the guilty party. The prosecutor questioned him, and he identified the defendant as the man who had committed the crime. Now it was the defense attorney’s turn. He asked the man, “Did you see my client commit this burglary?” “Yes,” the man said. “I saw him plainly commit the crime.” The lawyer added, “This happened at night. Are you sure you saw my client commit this crime?” “Yes, I saw him do it,” the man said. The lawyer then said, “You are 80 years old and your eyesight probably is not as good as it used to be. Just how far can you see at night?” The man said, “I can see the moon. How far is that?" (Source – Sermon Central)