In the book of Ezra, Ezra shared about “the children of the province that went up out of the captivity” which included those who came with “Zerubabbel” among whom were “the men of Michmas, Bethel and Ai, and the children of Nebo, Magbish, the other Elam, Harim, Lod, Hadid, Ono, Jericho and Senaah”,and in chapter two and verse thirty-six of Ezra, Ezra shared about “the priests” who went back to Jerusalem where we read,
The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.
The verse reads, “The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, ...” Ezra began with the words, “the priests” which means “the spiritual, principal, officiating and chief officers”: “the children of Jedaiah” or “the offspring and progeny belonging to Jedaiah whose name means Jehovah has known and was the ancestor of the priest who returned to Jerusalem”, “of the house” which means “pertaining to the dwelling place, habitation and abode” “of Jeshua” or “belonging to Jeshua whose name means he is saved and was the head of a Levitical house which returned from captivity in Babylon”. Ezra began to account for the spiritual leaders or “priests” who returned to Jerusalem after being exiled for seventy years in Babylon beginning with the offspring of “Jedaiah” who was from the dwelling place of “Jeshua”.
The verse goes on to say, “... nine hundred seventy and three.” Ezra continued with the words, “nine hundred seventy and three” or “there were nine hundred and seventy three people who were descendants of Jedaiah from Jeshua who were priests and went back to Jerusalem”. Ezra shared the number of the offspring and priests belonging to “Jedaiah”, nine hundred and seventy three, who returned to Jerusalem under the commission of Jehovah God through Cyrus the king of Persia.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra how God continued to move on the hearts and lives of the people of Israel as they were to return to their homeland in Jerusalem after being captives in Babylon for seventy years. There were “priests” or “spiritual leaders” among them of whom were the offspring of “Jedaiah” who descended from “Jeshua”. God was implementing His plan for the people of Israel, and He does the same for us. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield to Him as “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and lead us by His Holy Spirit to the place and purpose He desires in His Kingdom.
Next time Ezra shares about those among the priests, “the children of Immer”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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