THE SECOND BATCH SET FORTH AND ARRIVE AT JERUSALEM In the depths of the heart of everyone, there is a hidden or manifest desire to perceive how to walk in this world to cross over to the other life; where he would wrestle no more, nor fear death. The true believer perceives that the High Jerusalem anticipates his arrival, and that the heavenlies are prepared to receive him, not as a guest, but as one of the household who partake of their eternity. By such feeling, the true believer sees his life as a journey, although tough, yet secret and enjoyable. Amid the troubles, his eyes look up toward the divine throne, and to the bosom of the Father. This chapter bears a symbol of this journey; when Ezra set forth together with about 8,000 people from Babylon to Jerusalem; which although seemingly long, yet joyful Ezra has already referred to the good hand of God that worked in the heart of the king of Persia and his counselors for the good of the people of God. Now he seeks it, to work in the hearts of those whom he asks to accompany him in this journey from Babylon to Jerusalem. It was not easy to persuade one of the leaders or the people to forsake his work and his business to start anew in a land of ruins, surrounded by enemies on all sides; beside the toughness of the journey along 1400 km, on foot, for about as long as four months. Having found no Levites to accompany him together with the leaders and the people in this journey (15), Ezra sent to seek some Levites and their assistants (the Nethinims); Here as well the good hand of God was obviously apparent, as some of them consented to accompany him (18). He started the journey by fasting and praying for three days; and at its end he kept for as long as three days offering sacrifices of thanksgiving to God who accompanied them and protected them against the dangers along the way. After reaching to the River Euphrates, the procession crossed through Palestine from the North. Although they carried treasures of about one million pounds (26-27), yet Ezra did not ask the king to provide them with a military escort (22); as he delivered the task utterly in the hand of God. That does not imply that every believer should commit himself to the same line of thinking; for Nehemiah, a man of faith on the same level of Ezra did not object to have captains of the army and horsemen to guard the procession (Nehemiah 7-9). Ezra, a man of Great wisdom; knowing how men could be easily offended; and lest the enemies would attempt to distort his image, by claiming that he took gold and silver for himself from what was entrusted to his care, he weighed the treasures and elaborately recorded their weights before and after the journey (24-34); the same way followed by the apostle Paul when he carried the contributions of the churches to the saints in Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8: 20-21). The offerings and the animals for sacrifice in the temple of God were in the name of the twelve tribes of Israel, for all became one people, being a symbol of the one church returning from the captivity of the devil (Ephesians 4: 3-4). Why did God allow for the return from Babylon to Jerusalem in three stages? Was it not possible for God to let king Cyrus issue a decree for all the Jews in captivity to return together in one batch under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua? Was it necessary for a second batch under the leadership of Ezra, and a third batch under the leadership of Nehemiah? 1- God who granted man the freedom of will, did not intend for the return to be mandatory, but He left for everyone the full freedom, to earn the reward of his optional return. 2- The three stages symbolized the journey of humanity from the captivity of the devil to the glorious liberty of the children of God. Those who hastened to respond to the call, are counted as those of the first hour. Then the door stays open from the third hour until the last moment of the day, namely until the response of those of the eleventh hour, at the sunset of this world. All of them enjoy the entrance into the high Jerusalem. 3- God chose diverse leaders: For the first batch, there was Zerubbabel of the descendants of king David, as a symbol of Christ the King of kings. For the second batch there was Ezra the priest, as a symbol of the Word of God, the Greatest High Priest; And for the third and last batch, there was the faithful Nehemiah, as a symbol of the Lord Christ, called “The Faithful”. It is as though God intends for all believers to become spiritual leaders, whether they are of royal descent, or priesthood descent, or of the regular people. 4- Although the three batches partook of their spiritual feature, and being all under the leadership of God Himself, who works in the human leaders, as well as in the people; yet each journey had its unique feature. As an example, Ezra did not seek military escort for protection, for fear that such a request might cause an offense to the pagan king, thinking that God is unable to protect them; While Nehemiah did not reject the protection provided by the king for them. That does not imply that Ezra had a stronger faith; for both trusted wholly in God’s protection, despite the difference in the circumstances. 5- Arriving at Jerusalem, each of the three batches had its own role to achieve, but each was in need of the other two. The goal of the first batch was to build the altar and the temple; That of the second batch was to practice the rituals, the sacrifices, and the celebration of the feast; And that of the third batch was to build the city walls. But the three batches were committed, as well, to the internal reform. 1- The heads of the fathers’ houses 1 - 14 2- Preparations for the departure of the second batch of captives 15 - 30 3- The journey from Ahava to Jerusalem 31 4- Thanksgiving to God 32 - 35 5- Delivering the royal commands to the king’s satraps and the governors 36 1- THE HEADS OF THE FATHERS’ HOUSES: “These are the heads of their fathers’ houses, and this is the genealogy of those who went up with me from Babylon in the reign of king Artaxerxes” (1) Here we see a list of those who went up with Ezra; a list different than that in the second chapter, (with 80 years interval between the two). The first batch went up with Zerubbabel and Jeshua in the year 536 BC. … This second batch -- considered as those of the sixth hour – went up with Ezra in the year 538 BC; whereas the third batch who will set forth later under the leadership of Nehemiah, could be considered those of the eleventh hour. All are well received by God, and have a portion in the heavenly Jerusalem; For the gates of heaven are open, anticipating to receive every man, even in his last breath, without admonishment on his delay. Ezra made a call to the heads of the fathers’ houses, and those in turn called the families, of whom 1496 men responded to his call – the number of individuals was estimated as 8000 -- the second batch of those who returned from captivity; who were worthy to have their names registered as faithful men. They preferred the edification of the kingdom of God over their personal temporal interests. The faithful God so cherishes the names of his loyal faithful servants, who loved Him, in their service in His vineyard, and their work to the account of His kingdom, to register them in the perpetual book of life. In the parable of the workers in the vineyard to the account of the kingdom (Matthew 20: 1-16), presented to us by the Lord Christ, we see God promises to give every worker a denarius a day. But that does not imply that man may postpone his repentance and obedience to work in the vineyard of the Lord. According to St. Augustine: [Did those to whom the owner come to hire to work in his vineyard, at the third hour of the day, say to him; No! We shall not go to work before the ninth hour? As long as you are giving all the same wages, why should we go and labor more than we have to?! For he would send them away if they so did…. But he would answer them, saying: You do not want to go now, although you do not know if you are going to live one hour from now. If you are called at the sixth hour of the day. Come at once; Yes indeed, the owner of the vineyard promised to give you a denarius if you came at the eleventh hour, but he did not guarantee that you are going to live until then, not even until the seventh hour, let alone the eleventh hour. Therefore, do not postpone, for He who called you guarantees your wages, but the days are not predictable]. St. Augustine also says: [In this parable, the Lord opened the door before all, to let no one despair, and He repeats the call to receive all. But let us start right away lest we would be destroyed by the corrupt hope through postponement…. Do not postpone; Do not close the door opened by the Grantor of forgiveness before you….. Rejoice; … The door is open, without even knocking on it; …. But it may not stay open forever?... You do not know what will happen tomorrow]. “Of the sons of Phinehas, Gershom; Of the sons of Ithamar, Daniel; Of the sons of David, Hattush” (2) Ezra mentioned the sons of the priests first: Gershom the son of Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron; and Daniel of the sons of Ithamar the son of Aaron. Some of the priests were of the sons of Phinehas, and some were of the sons of Ithamar, the younger brother of Eleazar. “Of the sons of Shecaniah, of the sons of Parosh, Zechariah, and registered with him were one hundred and fifty males” (3) Then, of the household of king David: Hattush , of the sons of Shecaniah; and of those of the sons of Parosh, Zechariah. “Of the sons of Pahath-Moab, Elihoenai the son of Zeraiah, and with him two hundred males” (4) “Of the sons of Shechaniah, Ben-Jahaziel, and with him three hundred males” (5) Shecaniah in verse 5 is different from Shecaniah in verse 3. “Of the sons of Adin, Ehed the son of Jonathan, and with him fifty males” (6) “Of the sons of Elam, Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him seventy males” (7) “Of the sons of Shephatiah, Zebadiah the son of MIchael, and with him eighty males” (8) “Of the sons of Joab, Obadiah the son of Jehiel, and with him two hundred and eighteen males” (9) “Of the sons of Shelomith, Ben-Josiphiah, and with him one hundred and sixty males” (10) “Of the sons of Bedai, Zechariah the son of Bebai, and with him twenty-eight males” (11) “Of the sons of Azgad, Johanan the son of Hakkatan, and with him one hundred and ten males” (12) “Of the last sons of Adonikam, whose names are these – Eliphelet, Jeiel, and Shemaiah, and with him sixty males” (13) “Of the last sons of Adonikam”; This most probably means that most of them went up with Zerubbabel in the first batch, and the few left went up with Ezra. “Also the sons of Bigvai, Uthai and Zabbud, and with him seventy males” (14) 2- PREPARATION FOR DEPARTURE OF THE SECOND BATCH OF CAPTIVES: “Now I gathered them by the River that flows to Ahava, and we camped there three days. And I looked upon the people and the priests, and found none of the sons of Levi there” (15) Provision for the journey (15 to 30): Those returning to Jerusalem gathered together by the running River Ahava to stay there three days. … So the procession of the church setting forth to the high Jerusalem gather together as though by the water of baptism, where they get, by the Holy Spirit, the grace of adoption, and experience the resurrected life with Christ who was buried for three days. That is the deposit of the whole church, and even that of every believer that supports him all the days of his sojourn on earth, until the day he crosses over to Christ, risen from the dead, and ascended to heaven. Our sonhood to God, our enjoyment of the resurrection, and the renewal of our life by the Holy Spirit; these are our provisions amid the persistent battles of the enemy, during our crossing over from this world, until we reach paradise safely and in peace. + We have two births: one earthly, and the other heavenly; The first from the body, and the second from the Spirit; The first based upon a mortal principle, and the second upon an eternal principle; The first by a man and a woman, and the second by God and the church; The first makes us the children of the body, and the second the children of the Spirit; The first makes us the children of death, and the second the children of the resurrection; The first makes us the children of the time, and the second the children of God; The first makes us the children of the curse and the wrath, and the second looses us from the bonds of every sin. (St. Augustine) Ahava: The name of a river, most probably a branch of the river Euphrates near Babylon, by which the whole region was named. There, many Jewish families dwelt, for it was always the tendency of the Jews to dwell close to running water for their need of a plenty of water for the many cleansing rites they practiced. The psalmist says: “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down” (Psalm 137: 1); and the prophet Ezekiel says: “I was among the captives by the river Chebar” (Ezekiel 1: 1). The running water refers to the work of the Holy Spirit, as well as to the grace of God working in the believers, About the believer it is said: “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water” (Psalm 1: 3). Camping there for three days refers to their enjoyment, through baptism, of the resurrection together with the Lord Christ in the third day.. + Great is baptism granting to you: liberation from captivity, forgiveness of sins, death of sin, a second birth of the soul, a mantle of light, a steadfast holy seal, a chariot to heaven, the joy of paradise, the cause of the kingdom, and the gift of sonhood. + In baptism, you are born at the same moment you die; The water of salvation to you are both a grave and a mother. (St. Cyril of Jerusalem) As he quietly sat by the river, Ezra realized that there were no Levites, among the group. It was actually a sorrowful situation, that the Levites, the servants of the Lord, having been preoccupied with the temporal things of this world; did not care to set forth to the joyful paradisiacal life; when many of the people, old and young, and even those who came from the Gentiles to receive faith with intense joy, preceded them.. … 74 of them went up together with the first batch; but now, there was none of them. Ezra then sent a message to Iddo the chief man, which had its impact, not on account of its eloquent words rebuking them, as much as of the good hand of God upon them (18). …. About 40 Levites joined them. Why were the Levites reluctant to go up to Jerusalem? 1- The main reason was because they have got prominent jobs and positions in Babylon, that they looked down at their tasks in the temple. 2- Some of them probably have never seen Jerusalem, but only heard about it from their fathers, and having not tasted the sweetness of the service of God, they, therefore, had no enthusiasm to see it. 3- They heard from their fathers and their grandfathers the Levites, how exalted were the rites in the temple in its great glorious days; and now, there is no comparison between the temple of Solomon and that of Zerubbabel. 4- Going up to Jerusalem would cost them much, for forsaking their prosperous business, and leaving back their possessions in Babylon, with no right to purchase fields nor land in Jerusalem or Israel. 5- They probably feared the dangers and toughness of the journey, having heard about the enemies who lie in wait for them on the road. “Then I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, snd Meshullam, leaders: also for Joiarib and Elnathan, men of understanding” (16) “And I gave them a command for iddo the chief man at the palace Casiphia, and I told them what they should say to Iddo and his brethren, the Nethinim at the palace Casiphia – that they should bring us servants for the house of our God” (17) “Iddo” was most probably the chief of the school of the Levites and the Nethinim in Casiphia. Concerning the word “Casiphia” there are two views: a- As it is a word that refers to (silver) It is claimed by some that those Levites worked in the mines of silver in the province of Media. b- According to the symbolic interpretation, Casiphia was a school run by Iddo, where they taught the word of God, which is like silver. Notice how some of the Levites and the Nethinim consented to go up to Jerusalem, only after being pushed by Ezra and Iddo their chief. … Many of us need a push to walk along the way of God. Yes, they seek God, yet they are slow to move, and in need for an encouragement.. “Then by the good hand of our God upon us, , they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli the son of Levi, the son of Israel, namely Sherebiah with his sons and brothers, eighteen men” (18) “and Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brothers and their sons, twenty men” (19) “Also of the Nethinim, whom David and the leaders had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinim; all of them were designated by name” (20) Such readiness of the Nethinim, namely the assistants of the Levites, would put the Levites to shame; for of the former 220 persons went up, while only 40 Levites did, after several calls. We have already spoken of the Nethinim as we commented on the first procession under the leadership of Zerubbabel (Ezra 2: 43). “all of them were designated by name”; namely they called their names to compare them with what came in the lists; Ezra probably meant not to mention their names because they did not readily come on their own. “Then I proclaimed a fast there at the River of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions” (21) I proclaimed a fast”; For repentance and humiliation before God, to help them to overcome the difficulties of the way, and to make it straight without obstacles (Isaiah 4); 3). On our way to the kingdom of heaven,, there would be many difficulties that need prayer and fasting to overcome, which Ezra sought as a divine escort, he did not seek from the king. Knowing that there were enemies who hate the Jews, lying in wait for them on the way, that the journey would be tough on all aspects, particularly on women and children, who had to walk for as long as four months on foot; Ezra raised his heart to God seeking help, support, and protection; and proclaimed a fast, an exalted weapon in their burdensome journey. If gathering together by the River Ahava refers to the need for the grace of baptism; having already enjoyed baptism, exhorts us much more to fast and humiliate ourselves in our strife, leaning upon the grace of God. The soul, exultant by the grace of God, strives to be qualified to have the divine protection, as a free gift from God. “ Fast is a guard for the soul, and a faithful companion of the body; Fast is the weapon of the brave, and the trainer of the hermits; Fast stands guard against the temptations, and paves the way to godliness; Fast is the maker of chastity; Fast does wonders in battles; Fast teaches tranquility in the time of peace; Fast sanctifies the Nazirite, and consummates the priest; Fast makes the barren woman a mother of many children; Fast creates the strong, and gives wisdom to the law-makers; How could a priest pray without fasting? Practicing fast has been important, not only in the worship according to the law in the old covenant,, but in the sacramental worship of the new covenant, as well + Fast brings prayer up to heaven, as though a feather flying high;; Fast is the cause of the progress of peoples; Fast is the origin of good health; Fast is the coach of the youth, the adornment of the elders, and a good company of the travelers; Fast is a safe tent for those who seek a refuge; The married man will not doubt his wife, if he sees her always fasting; So is a married woman, she will trust her husband, and will never have jealousy, if she see him always fasting. (St. Basil the Great) “For I was ashamed to request an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying: ‘The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake him” (22) Here Ezra’s living faith is apparent. Believing in the Lord of hosts who could protect him, it was not befitting of him to seek a human military escort from the pagan king. “Soldiers and horsemen”, Having talked to the king that His God is capable of protecting His people, How could he now seek soldiers and horsemen to protect him? … Nehemiah, on the other hand, even though; he did not seek it, he consented to have them; For why should he refuse; when he believes that God had many ways to protect His children?! “So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayers” (23) “He answered our prayers”; For He is the mighty God of the impossible; He longs to see our hearts seek from Him with purity, what conform to His will; Then, in compassionate fatherhood He would respond to our prayers…... By prayer and fasting, together with the purity of heart, God responded to the request of Ezra and those who were with him. + I wish my supplication come before the Lord; for if they do, my enemies will perish ; “The righteous will stand with great confidence” (Wisdom 5: 1); “Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers the snare is broken, and we have escaped” (Psalm 124: 7); “The persecutors would bow their heads, and the persecuted would rejoice” (See Matthew 5: 10-12). (Father Hesichius of Jerusalem) + The pure prayer will find its way to God, will talk to Him, will listen to Him, and will trust in Him. + Don’t be discouraged when your prayer is not instantly heard; … Don’t assume that it is rejected; … Don’t say: I often requested, but in vain; and I may never get. (St. (Mar) Jecob El-Serougi) + God will not help him, if he does nothing himself; He will help him if he prays. + The perfect impact of faith is this: It makes us “ask to be given; and seek to find” (Luke 11: 9). Whereas he who tends to debate, closes the door of God’s mercy before his own face. (St. Augustine) + Let us believe that whatever we seek from the Father, in the name of the Son, we shall get; for it is the Father’s will to seek through the Son; and it is the will of the Son to seek from the Father in His name…. This does not imply that the Father is not able to do otherwise; but it is one will that is revealed. (St. Ambrose0 “Then I separated twelve of the leaders of the priests –Sherabiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them – “ (24) Being extremely rich, the Persian king offered to the house of the Great God, an abundance of gold and silver, and even bronze of high caliber “polished and precious as gold” (27). Ezra delivered those treasures into the hand of faithful men to carry to Jerusalem.. “and weighed out to them the silver, the gold, and the articles, the offerings for our the house of our God, which the king and his counselors and his princes, and all Israel who were present, had offered” (25) Although he trusted the faithfulness of the high priests, the priests, and the Levites, yet Ezra delivered to them everything by weight, to avoid any possibility of doubts on the part of others, and to cut off the way of those who may try to revile them. The apostle says: “providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men” (2 Corinthians 8: 21) “I even weighed into their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, silver articles weighing one hundred talents, one hundred talents of gold” (26) “twenty gold basins worth a thousand drachmas, and two vessels of fine polished bronze, precious as gold” (27) “And I said to them, ‘You are holy to the Lord; the articles are holy also, and the silver and gold are a freewill offering to the Lord God of your fathers” (28) With confidence, Ezra says that “they are holy to the Lord, and the articles are holy also” (28). Caring for those articles as holy to the Lord, yet, as those articles were meant for the sake of sanctifying the people, Ezra says: “You are holy to the Lord, and the articles are holy also”; giving to the souls precedence over the gold and silver articles. “Watch and keep them until you weigh them before the leaders of the priests and the Levites and heads of the fathers’ houses of Israel in Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the Lord” (29) Ezra seeks from them to lead a life of watching and faithfulness. If the Lord Christ is called “The Faithful”; it is befitting of His members to partake of His faithfulness. For on the great day of the Lord, it will be said to the faithful believer: “Well done good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things” (Matthew 25: 21). Faithfulness is important in all aspects, particularly in things pertaining to the Lord; hence Ezra delivered the precious articles to the priests and the Levites by weight, to deliver them in turn to the house of the Lord by weight. … More precious than the articles are the souls of men, that are entrusted to the faithfulness of the priests and the Levites. “So the priests and the Levites received the silver and the gold and the articles by weight, to bring them to Jerusalem to the house of our God” (30) The way they received everything by weight, it is befitting of them to deliver them by weight; to avoid any probable doubt in their faithfulness. 3- THE JOURNEY FROM AHAVA TO JERUSALEM: “Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem, and the hand of our God was upon us, and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambush along the road” (31) The journey set forth, that which was seen by Isaiah by the spirit of prophecy, saying: “Depart! Depart! Go out from there. Touch no unclean thing. Go out from the midst of her. Be clean. You who bear the vessels of the Lord. For you shall not go out in haste, nor go by flight; For the Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rear Guard” (Isaiah 52: 11-12). Ezra the scribe did not mention how God saved them against the enemies on their way; for he experienced what the psalm says: “Let God arise; Let His enemies be scattered; Let also those who hate Him flee before Him” (Psalm 68: 1; etc.) “God delivered us”; He who will keep our procession toward the High Jerusalem, Here He delivers them from the hand of the enemy and from ambush along the road. He drove the robbers away from them. Arriving safe to Jerusalem, they started by camping for three days, thanking the Lord who granted them the resurrected life; and on the fourth day they delivered the treasures and the offering to the house of the Lord; and delivered the king’s orders to the king’s satraps and the governors in the region beyond the river. In one sentence, Ezra gave an account of the journey that took them four months to complete. He did not say who were the enemies, nor what the people suffered from the robbers; He only said that “God delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambush along the road” (31). Once we reach paradise we look back at all the years of our life as though moments that passed by; All we remember is God’s work with us, we shall never remember those who afflicted us, nor the bitterness of affliction. The exalted glories will swallow our minds, and we shall only be preoccupied with our longing for the salvation of the whole world, and our work will be to praise the Lord together with the heavenly hosts. That will be what we shall do on the day of our departure from the body, and our entrance into the paradise. I wish we would enjoy a little deposit while we are still in the body. 4- THANKSGIVING TO GOD: “So we came to Jerusalem, and stayed there three days” (32) We most probably imagine the great reception by their relatives and acquaintances; But what is most amazing is that, the way they stayed together three days by the River Ahava, fasting and praying to God to start the journey together with them, and to precede them on their way; Now, having arrived safe to Jerusalem, they did not instantly disperse, no one of them went to the house of a relative to have rest; but they all stayed three days together, as though the journey has not yet come to an end; they stayed to offer sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving to God who accompanied them on the road and protected them. Those who spent four tough months on the road from Babylon to Jerusalem, were not preoccupied with getting acquainted with their relatives, nor with looking for a place to settle down and find rest; but stayed together three days, as though living together in a magnificent glorious portrait of the resurrection of Christ.. “Now on the fourth day, the silver, the gold, and the articles were weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest, and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; with them were the Levites, Jozabad the son of Jeshua and Noadiah the son of Binnui” (33) “On the fourth day, the silver, the gold, and the articles were weighed’. In the days of Cyrus those treasures were delivered in number; but here they are delivered in number and weight. This indicates God’s care for His children; and that those who minister to God are committed to be faithful on every soul; as the children of God are His holy vessels, entrusted to His servants (2 Timothy 2: 2). Two priest and two Levites received the gold and the silver, and conformed the things sent from Babylon to those they received in Jerusalem. On the fourth day, the stewards gave the account of their stewardship, and delivered them in number and weight to the house of the Lord; and all the weight was written in records. “with the number and weight of everything, all the weight was written at that time” (34) “The children of those who had been carried away captives, who had come from the captivity, offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel, twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and twelve male goats as a sin offering. All this was a burnt offering to the Lord” (35) “The children who had come from captivity, offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel, twelve bulls for all Israel” , to thank God for keeping them safe on the road; to dedicate themselves to Him. They also offered sin offerings to atone for their own sins. Notice how the figure 12 is repeated; for all the tribes became now one people. 5- DELIVERING THE KING”S COMMANDS TO THE KING’S SATRAPS AND THE GOVERNORS: “And they delivered the king’s orders to the king’s satraps and the governors in the region beyond the River. So they gave support to the people and the house of God” (36) Ezra did not hasten to deliver the king’s orders to the king’s satraps and the governors, but waited for the people to spend three days giving thanks to God; and for the stewards to give an account of their stewardship; And to offer burnt offerings and sin offerings to God. God had the priority in the life of Ezra, and in that of all the people accompanying him. “So they gave support to the people and the house of God”. The good hand of God was upon His people, and worked in the hearts of the kings and rulers.. It is a portrait of what will happen on the great day of the Lord, when the heavenlies will exult in the fulfillment of the exalted divine promises to men; When they see the beautiful church, adorned with the eternal glories, and praise God for His work with mankind; When they see in humanity enjoying the glories, fellows and partners with them; When the heavenlies, together with the earthlies become a heavenly church. ----------------------------- AN INSPIRATION FROM EZRA 8 COUNT ME OF THE FELLOWS OF THE ELEVENTH HOUR + Many have gone ahead of me to the processions of conquest; My soul moans because of my slothfulness and negligence; Let Your Holy Spirit work in me; Count me of the fellows of the eleventh hour. + You have chosen me a son of Yours, O who desire the salvation of all; Let my name be inscribed on Your palm, and not to be wiped off the book of the eternal life. + You opened before me the door of baptism, as by the River of Ahava; You granted me to be buried; to be risen together with You; Grant me to enjoy the resurrected life all the days of my sojourn; Let me fast and humiliate myself before You, together with Ezra the scribe; Let my depths cry out, saying; My sojourn on earth became too long; Many are those who cause me grief; “Many are they who say to me: ‘There is no help for him in God” (Psalm 3: 1) But You are the stronghold of my life; Your hand stretches to surround me, and to keep the enemies away from me. + My journey in the world is an unceasing battle; But by You, it turns into a joyful banquet; With every day You present to my soul new conquests; You let the eyes of my heart see the crowns Your prepare for Your children. + When shall I, together with Your people, reach the High Jerusalem? There I shall no more remember the troubles of the road; But my heart will be filled with joy, and my tongue with exultation; I shall partake of the exultation of the heavenlies; There, I would experience the resurrection on an exalted level; I shall present to you an account of my stewardship; I have nothing to justify myself; But it is Your grace that is my support all the days of my sojourn; There, with joy and exultation, I shill sing, saying: “Here am I and the children whom the Lord has given me” (Isaiah 8: 18) + There, before us, the image of the cross will transfigure; And the sacrifices of thanksgiving and praise will be offered; There, Your exalted promises will be fulfilled; There I shall enjoy “what eye has not seen, nor ear heard Nor have entered into the heart of man” (1 Corinthians 2: 9). Glory be to You, O Faithful in Your promises. =================== A COMPARISON BETWEEN EZRA’S JOURNEY AND OUR JOURNEY TO THE HIGH JERUSALEM EZRA’S JOURNEY OUR JOURNEY TO THE HIGH JERUSALEM 1 It started by writing the names of the heads of the fathers’ houses; and those who wish to return God chose us, wrote our names in the book of life; and inscribed them on His palm 2 The assembly was by the River Ahava The beginning is by baptism, and the enjoyment of the sonhood to God 3 The people stayed three days by the River Ahava The enjoyment of the resurrection with the Lord Christ who was buried for three days 4 Fast and humiliation before God who will Diligent spiritual strife, and faith in God the Guard of souls protect them 5 He described the journey in one phrase (31); but did not say what the enemies have done against them We shall only be preoccupied in our journey by the High Jerusalem; We shall not fear neither the devil nor the sin; …Our God is our Savior 6 They stayed three days in Jerusalem; and did not go to houses nor to tents In heaven, we shall only be preoccupied with the bosom of the Father, the dwelling place of all 7 They offered sacrifices and offerings on all Israel Those in paradise are only preoccupied with supplication for the sake of all humanity before the crucified Christ 8 They delivered the golden and silver gifts to the house of the Lord We shall deliver the account of our stewardship, and the fruition of our testimony to the Lord Christ 9 They delivered the king’s commands to the satraps and the governors We shall enjoy the divine promises concerning the eternal life and its glories
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