The People Respond

God's People Worship
The Prophet and Praise
Joyful  Worship Restored

Ezra 2:64-70

The Message

^64-67 The total count for the congregation was 42,360. That did not include the male and female slaves, which numbered 7,337. There were also 200 male and female singers, and they had 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.

^68-69 Some of the heads of families, on arriving at The Temple of God in Jerusalem, made Freewill-Offerings toward the rebuilding of The Temple of God on its site. They gave to the building fund as they were able, about 1,100 pounds of gold, about three tons of silver, and 100 priestly robes.

⁷⁰ The priests, Levites, and some of the people lived in Jerusalem. The singers, security guards, and temple support staff found places in their hometowns. All the Israelites found a place to live.

For Reflection

God provided a seventy year Sabbath.  At the end, God's mercy and compassion also provided reconciliation and a new beginning in Jerusalem.  Just as God did for the Israelites He will provide new beginnings for you and I.  As we take excursions away from our faith, God will provide a sabbath time for us to contemplate our predicament.  When we emerge, He will offer his healing hand to make us whole again an we, like they, will respond in Joy and thanksgiving. 

Pray

that when you lose sight of your faith, when you stray from the life God intends for you, when you find only hopelessness and despair that you will turn to God and take His hand of compassion to lift you up and make you whole.  Pray that on that day you will remember to thank God for the salvation you find, living in the hollow of His hand.