Ezra: The Lord HelpsSample

Having people with different gifts and different abilities in any church family is crucial. Think of a talented football team without a goalkeeper, or gifted musicians in an orchestra without any violins. 

Ezra gathers 1,500 men and their families together at the Ahava Canal. They set up camp to prepare for the long journey to Jerusalem. But despite the remarkable response, there is not one Levite among them (v. 15).

As the Temple in Jerusalem is rebuilt and operational, with plenty of Levites already assisting the priests there, Ezra doesn’t need any extra Levites for the day-by-day running of it. But Ezra is returning to Jerusalem to bring about a reformation through all the people of Judah, so he does need some Levites – to understand and explain to others how and why Levites should live distinctively. 

Interestingly, there weren’t many Levites who first returned to Jerusalem back in Ezra 2. Theirs was a mundane and lowly position. Levites would have found life in Babylon much more attractive than serving in the temple in Jerusalem. We can imagine them in exile in Babylon with professions that were respected and brought them social standing. Perhaps they’d acquired property, giving them independence and security. 

Often that’s how it is in the kingdom of God. In the world you might have a significant role; reach the top of the career ladder; be respected in your field; have people look up to you. But in the church, you’re just a servant, even if you are an officeholder. In the eyes of the world, the work of the church seems insignificant and irrelevant. 

So your standing and status in the world can adversely influence your decision whether or not to seek first God’s Kingdom. But to grow the church and to see the church reformed in this land, we need people who will seek first God’s kingdom, making costly moves to serve the Lord. Like any football team or orchestra, the church needs servants of Christ who are willing to ‘play their part’ by taking on even mundane, unglamorous roles. 

Because the gracious hand of the Lord is upon Ezra (v. 18), a good number of Levites and temple servants join the group prepared to return to Jerusalem (vv. 18–20). They would be crucial in the reformation among God’s people in Jerusalem that the Lord would bring about through Ezra.

Reflection

Give thanks for people who are prepared to serve the Lord in the most menial tasks. Pray that the Lord would grow in you a servant attitude so that you would serve Him in the church, seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness above any worldly position and status.