In the book of Ezra, Ezra said the priests began to offer sacrifices and, “afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the LORD. From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid. They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia”, and in chapter three and verse eight of Ezra, Ezra shared what happened, “in the second year” where we read,
Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.
The verse reads, “Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, ...” Ezra began with the words, “now in the second year” which means “at the division and measure of time of the second annual revolution” “of their coming” which means “pertaining to their, the children of Israel, approaching and entering” “unto the house of God” or “to the dwelling place, habitation and abode belonging to the Supreme Deity” “at Jerusalem” which means “in Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and was the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”. Ezra referred to the “second” annual revolution when the children of Israel went to the dwelling place of Jehovah God who is the Supreme Deity within “Jerusalem”.
The verse goes on to say, “... in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, ...” Ezra continued with the words, “in the second month” or “within the second lunar moon”, “began Zerubbabel” which means “started and initiated Zerubbabel whose name means sown in Babylon and was the grandson of king Jehoiachin and leader of the first group of returning exiles from Babylon”“the son of Shealtiel” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Shealtiel whose name means I have asked of God and was the father of Zerubbabel”, “and Jeshua” whose name means he is saved and was the head of a Levitical house which returned from captivity in Babylon” “the son of Jozadak” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Jozadak whose name means Jehovah is righteous and was the grandson of the high priest Hilkiah; son of the high priest Seraiah; and father of the high priest Joshua; he never attained the office of high priest himself because he was carried captive to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar” “and the remnant” or “and the remainder, rest and residue” “of their brethren” which means “pertaining to their, Zerubbabel and Jeshua's, relatives, kinship and brothers” “the priests” or “the sacred spiritual leaders, principal officers and chief rulers” “and the Levites” which means “and the Levites whose name means joined to and were the tribe descended from Levi specially set aside by God for His service”. Ezra mentioned Zerubbabel, Jeshua, the priests, the Levites and their kinship who were together in the “second month of the second year”.
The verse continues, “and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem;” Ezra added the words, “and all they that were come out” or “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the people who were enumerated, exited and brought out” “of the captivity” which means “pertaining to being exiled” “unto Jerusalem” or “toward Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”. Ezra accounted for everyone who were brought out of exile to Jerusalem.
Finally the verse says, “and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.” Ezra concluded this verse with the words “and appointed the Levites” or “and elected the Levites who were the descendants of Levi whose name means joined to and were the tribe specially set aside by God for His service” “from twenty years old and upward” which means “from the age of twenty and older”, “to set forward” or “to perpetuate and act as an overseer, superintendent, director or chief of” “the work of the house” which means “pertaining to the occupation, business and service of dwelling place, habitation and abode” “of the LORD” or “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”. Ezra ended this verse by referring to the way the“Levites” that were of twenty years and older were designated to oversee the business and service of the dwelling place of Jehovah God.
When we consider the words in this verse, we discover through Ezra how the “second year” after the people of Israel returned to Jerusalem was when “Zerubbabel, Jeshua, the priests, the Levites and their brothers and kinship” began overseeing the function of the dwelling place of Jehovah God. The “altar of worship and sacrifice” was built first, and now the reconstruction and functioning of God's “temple” was to begin. God inspired the people of Israel to return to their homeland after being exiled in Babylon for seventy years, and now that they were back in their homeland, the place of worship and the process for the function within it was to start. God wants every person to turn from their abandoning Him and His ways which is sin, and this is why He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us a desire to build His church and continue in the functioning of it.
Next time Ezra said, “then stood Jeshua”, 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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