The 2,499 in 1:9-10 probably refers to the bigger and more valuable items, whereas the 5,400 in 1:11 is the total of all the items (John A. Martin, The Bible Knowledge Commentary [Victor Books], 1:655). The one ministered to a temporal salvation; the other to an eternal. ), E. The construction renewed amid opposition (5:1-6:12), 2. Let them hear thy voice thou Son of God. Their mouths were filled with laughter and their tongues with joyful shouting. 1 In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, # 1:1a The first year of Cyrus’s reign over Babylon was 538 b.c. From 1977-1992 he was the pastor of Lake Gregory Community Church in Crestline, California. Let that precious promise be fulfilled in which thou hast said, In the day that the great trumpet is blown, they shall come that are ready to perish. As to the other numbers, they all differ from the account in Ezra, as from that in Esdras, except the one thousand other vessels; and the addition of the whole amounts to no more than five thousand two hundred and ten; yet, as he has not himself given a total number, he cannot be said to contradict either of the others. Report from Jerusalem. 1 Chronicles 3:17). Ezra 1:1–11 Cyrus Helps the Exiles to Return. Verses 1-3a: These verses are almost identical to (2 Chron. 36:22-23). He graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M., 1976 in Bible exposition) and Califo... More. There were many Jews in Babylon who were comfortable there. Don't have an account? But that explanation is arbitrary and conjectural. But there were other Jews in Babylon who were not comfortable there. (2.) When God's service requires to be set forward, his ministers should be the first to promote it. But, how does it happen? Why would Cyrus, a pagan king, issue a decree for the Jews to return to Israel and rebuild their Temple? Ezra 2:69 That is, about 1,100 pounds or about 500 kilograms; Ezra 2:69 That is, about 3 tons or about 2.8 metric tons; Ezra 3:9 Hebrew Yehudah, a variant of Hodaviah; Ezra 4:4 Or and troubled them as they built; Ezra 4:6 Hebrew Ahasuerus; Ezra … It was “the heads of fathers’ households of Judah and Benjamin” that arose to the challenge to return to Jerusalem (1:5). do thou work in the minds of sinners both to will and to do of thy good pleasure. Ezra 1:11 All the vessels of gold and of silver [were] five thousand and four hundred. Ezra 3:1-13. "Ezra," says he, "might at one time make particular mention of such vessels only as were perhaps chiefly used, or were most remarkable, and might mean to include all the rest in the general round sum of five thousand four hundred; and ver might afterwards think proper to write a more circumstantial history, setting down the exact number of each kind of vessels, together with the particular amount or total of the whole. Luther, Calvin, and the other Reformers began systematically teaching and applying God’s Word in ways that had been grossly neglected by the Roman Catholic Church. 'It was only the bare, ungenial territory that lay between this and the fertile vales around Hebron, also occupied upon the south, that was contemplated in the proclamation. 63:1). He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness” (Heb. Ancient interpreters reconciled the difference by the supposition that in the separate statements only the larger and more valuable vessels are specified, while in the sum-total the greater and lesser are reckoned together. You’ll enjoy a good life there. This conjecture is confirmed by a Latin MS. in Exeter College library, which reads two thousand four hundred and ten; and is supported not only by five other Latin manuscripts in the Bodleian, but likewise by two in the Archbishop of Canterbury's library at Lambeth. Thus God’s purpose was to manifest His glory through a rebuilt Temple where His restored people could worship Him in spirit and truth. I have been a committed Christian for about 36 years and a pastor for 25 years, and it’s easy for me to drift into a safe, comfortable routine, where my heart is not panting after God like the thirsty deer after the water brook (Ps. Ezra 1. (Read Ezra 1:1-4) The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus. Besides, it was both inconvenient and risky to go back to Jerusalem. It may mean scheduling regular extended times for seeking the Lord. Ezra 2:25 See Septuagint (see also Neh. Why would God give His people a trembling heart, failing eyes, despair of soul, and no assurance of life? The error may be supposed to exist in the sum-total, where, instead of 5400, perhaps 2500 should be read, which … He says, “What wonder that a Church which picks and chooses what it wants out of the Bible should become confused in its theology, flabby in its morals, and with little to state but the worldly obvious—the day after worldly liberals have stated it more convincingly?” If we want renewal, we must put a renewed emphasis on God’s Word of truth. But the key is this: When you are in a dry time, don’t get satisfied with Babylon. (3.) And further, if the number in each article in Ezra had been exactly the same with those in Esdras, the sum total, five thousand four hundred, would have appeared more like a mistake; but as they amount to no more than two thousand four hundred and ninety-nine, it is plain that the writer did not mean to enumerate every single vessel, because he afterwards gives a round sum total of even hundreds, viz. The seventy-year captivity began in 605 B.C. But what man could not do, God did. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. Restoration of the Temple (1-6); return under Zerubbabel (538-515 B.C. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 28:65-66). Derek Kidner (p. 35) points out that every piece of these temple items was “a witness to God’s sovereign care and the continuance of the covenant.” Here’s the application for us: Christ has promised to build His church and that some from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation will one day be gathered before His throne (Matt. From his perspective, he was building his empire by employing wise policies that would insure his long reign. God governs the world by his influence on the spirits of men; whatever good they do, God stirs up their spirits to do it. vol. There is simply no human explanation for this. Do you sense the need personally for spiritual renewal? God calls you to join that group returning to the place of His blessing. Hence, it is probable that the larger vases only are mentioned, while the inventory of the whole, including great and small, came to the gross sum stated in the text. In the Septuagint (LXX) canonical Ezra … The fact that he named Cyrus has led critics to say that Isaiah could not have written this, and thus to attribute it to a later scribe. About 150 years before, Isaiah had predicted this event (Isa. But for it to be genuine, God must work according to His mighty power. So why go back? | Expand chapter. 11.Five thousand and four hundred — This sum does not agree with the preceding numbers, which are 30+1,000+29+30+410+1,000=2,499. Copyright, Steven J. Cole, 2002, All Rights Reserved. For it must be remembered that it was not the fertile regions of Central Palestine the returning exiles were to go to. Ezra 1:7 Or gods; Ezra 1:9 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain. That thousands, says he, were expressed anciently by single letters with a dot over them, may be presumed from this verse, where the silver basons are said to be (of a second sort, without mentioning any first) four hundred and ten; but in the parallel account, 1 Esdras 2:13 we find the same silver basons to have been two thousand four hundred and ten. In the 19th century, the Cyrus Cylinder was discovered. It works everywhere you sign in, even with the mobile app! 28:64). The one proved a blessing for a time; the other forever. What I need at such times—what we all need repeatedly—is for God’s Spirit to blow upon us in spiritual renewal. five thousand four hundred, which is more frequent in historians than exact and particular sums; therefore a person must be very little acquainted with history, who supposes that this is a contradiction to the sum total in Esdras, because the odd number sixty-nine is omitted.". The Chaldeans liberally assisted the returning Israelites; and they who stayed at Babylon willingly offered of their substance for the furtherance of the temple of God; while Cyrus, their great benefactor, nobly restores to them all the vessels which Nebuchadnezzar had carried to Babylon, and placed in the temple of his idol gods. Judah and Benjamin were the first to lead the way. This book continues the story. The Temple at Jerusalem had been the place where God’s glory was displayed. Oh! 4:9), who was the godly grandson of the godless Jewish King Jeconiah (1 Chron. Ezra 3 – A Foundation for the New Temple A. Ezra 1:1. The hearts of kings are in the hand of the Lord. Now, as not one of the articles in the Hebrew account of Ezra exceeds the numbers of those in Esdras, there can be no contradiction therein, because each number may be included in the corresponding number in Esdras. Verses 1-3a: These verses are almost identical to (2 Chron. Houbigant supposes the number to be this sum total, as all the versions pretty nearly agree in the separate sums. 1. when the seventh month was come--The departure of the returning exiles from Babylon took place in the spring. Should an Unbeliever Partake of Communion? I can only be brief and limited here. We have to recognize that all that this world offers will leave us with a trembling heart, failing eyes, and despair of soul. There are human schemes and methods for bringing spiritual renewal. “All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred.” But only 30 + 1000 אנרטלים, 29 מחלפים, 30 + 410 covered goblets, and 1000 other vessels are enumerated, making together 2499. It won’t be an easy, comfortable road to travel. The vessels here specified amount only to the number of 2,489. The Lord must raise up our hearts, or else our earth-born souls will choose their rest in Babylon. But we can correct this account from 1 Esdras 2:13, 14. Ezra is about the return of the exiles from Babylon, the rebuilding of the Temple, and the restoration of God’s people spiritually. But the first is most likely to be the meaning, for thus we find Judea styled, Ezra 5:8. the Lord fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah. With that as a brief introduction, I want to focus the rest of our time on chapter 1. Behold the goodness and severity of God! The predicted seventy years’ captivity had nearly run out, having in part done their work on the exiles. But the task seems humanly impossible! Hence Bertheau is of opinion that the more definite statement 30, of the Hebrew text, is to be regarded as original, instead of the first 1000; that, on the other hand, instead of the 30 golden כּפורים, 1000 originally stood in the text, making the total 5469. (Note: Ewald (Gesch. 12:6, 10). Daniel didn’t read Jeremiah’s prophecy, realize that the 70 years were almost up, and say, “Cool! The Lord had killed; now He was giving life (Deut. Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, But as our text shows, behind it all was the sovereign God turning this king’s heart as channels of water to fulfill His purpose (Prov. It is easy—far too easy—to settle into a comfortable, routine Christianity. Finally, be willing to be inconvenienced to see spiritual renewal happen, both personally and corporately. (Calmet) --- The use of number letters might cause this confusion. Sheshbazzar brought all these along with the exiles when they came up from Babylon to … And Lord in mercy grant, that none of thine may remain in the Babylon of this world, nor be fond of the chains which sin and Satan hath cast around them. By nature, we’re all so wed to this world and the things of this world that the Lord has to bring us to the place where we find no rest in Babylon. All [these] did Sheshbazzar bring up with [them of] the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem. Ver. The lesson there is: Spiritual renewal requires God’s great power working according to His gracious promises for His glorious purpose. Everything in the spiritual realm depends on God’s grace as promised in His Word. For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. The Puritan movement also was centered on God’s Word, as pastors would explain and apply the great doctrines of Scripture, usually in hour-long sermons (J. I. Packer, A Quest for Godliness [Crossway Books], p. 280). Q. The pre-Exilic history of 1 and 2 Chronicles gave the post-Exilic returnees direction regarding the Davidic kingship, the Aaronic priesthood, and temple worship. The Book of Ezra falls into two sections: Chapters 1-6 deal with the initial return of a remnant from Babylon under the leadership of Zerubbabel in 538 B.C., with the aim of restoring the Temple. 1. But the expression in Ezra 1:10, other vessels, sets this conjecture aside: the place is most manifestly corrupted. Ezra 10 Nehemiah 1:1-11 Nehemiah 2. ), A. But then you hear about the specifics of it or you see it firsthand and you can’t put it out of your mind. Ezra 1:9, Ezra 1:11; 1 Esdras 2:13, 14 Golden chargers 30 Golden cups 1000 Silver chargers 1000 Silver cups 1000 Knives 29 Silver censers 29 Golden basons 30 Golden vials 30 Silver basons, second sort 410 Silver vials 2410 Other vessels 1000 Other vessels 1000 Said to be 5400 - only 2499 Total 5469 Difference of the first account from itself: 2901 Difference of the second account from the first: 69. iii. Lord God! (Haydock) (Capel. All the vessels of gold, and of silver, were five thousand and four hundred,.... Those that are mentioned make no more than 2499, which Aben Ezra thinks were the larger vessels; but this general sum takes in great and small, as in 2 Chronicles 36:18 in the letter of Cyrus, before mentioned, these vessels are more particularly described, and their several numbers given, which together amount to the exact number in the text, 5400; the apocryphal Ezra makes them 5469: all these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity, that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem: of whom there is a large and particular account in the following chapter. The project began in 536 B.C., but opposition quickly arose, leading to the abandonment of the project for 16 years. 508. But if we realize that God promises more than we’re experiencing, we will give ourselves to prayer until He grants it. as follows. Cyrus captured Babylon 538 B.C., and the ‘first year’ here is the first after that event. Hebrews 12 gives us the answer: “For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives…. The fulfillment of Jeremiah’s and Isaiah’s prophecies showed God’s people that His Word is true and can be trusted, no matter how impossible the situation. There were piles of rubble and some hostile people who had moved into the empty land after the Babylonians had dragged off the surviving Jews 50 years earlier. 3 Esdras reads, 5469. If God had not promised restoration, no amount of human effort could have brought it about. He was born in Babylon, and called by his family Zerubbabel -. God governs the world by his influence on the spirits of men; whatever good they do, God stirs up their spirits to do it. By the time the people returned and built the altar in 536, the 70 years were almost expired. The vessels—were five thousand and four hundred— The sum total of these vessels amounts only to two thousand four hundred and ninety-nine. 1:1–3 pp— 2Ch 36:22–23. The hearts of kings are in the hand of the Lord. If we should fight, how? 36:22-23). His glory was supremely revealed in the rebuilt Temple when Jesus the Messiah appeared there as “God’s salvation, which [He] prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel” (Luke 2:32). In Josephus, Antiq. If you sense the need for renewal, get alone with God as soon as you can and begin asking Him by His great power according to His gracious promises to work for His glorious purpose in you and in this church. The restoration of regular worship in Jerusalem. Cyrus was foretold two hundred years before he came, that he should deliver the Lord's people froth Babylon, But Jesus was held forth as a deliverer of the Lord's people from sin and death, from everlasting. Nor did the returning exiles all go at once. 2: p. 213. Perhaps, like Nehemiah, you will have known in general about the need for a long time. To get what Ezra 1:11 means based on its source text, scroll down or follow these links for the original scriptural meaning , biblical context and relative popularity. 137:6). Analysis The Babylonians dealt with conquered peoples by deporting them to Babylon where they could live in relative freedom and prosperity, perhaps accounting for the meager … Ezra 7:10 says, “Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.” In Nehemiah 8:8, we find that under Ezra’s leadership, in front of all the people, well-trained scribes “read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.” Many scholars think that Ezra is the author of Psalm 119, which extols God’s Word for 176 verses. Register! It may be as simple as turning off the tube and picking up your Bible on a consistent basis to spend time with the Lord. Kennicott, however, thinks that the error lies in the four hundred and ten silver basons. God’s purpose today is the same: He wants to reveal His glory through a renewed people, who by their holy lives and witness reveal His Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to all peoples. In other words, spiritual renewal is not for us, so that we can lead happy, fulfilled lives to the neglect of the world. Ezra 1:1. which foretold that the Jews should return from their captivity at the end of seventy years, which fell on the first of Cyrus, reckoning from the fourth of Jehoiakim, and the first of Nebuchadnezzar, see ( Jeremiah 25:1 Jeremiah 25:11 Jeremiah 25:12 ) ( 29:10 ) . Ezra 1:1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Ezra 1:2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and … … In Ezra 1:11 it is indisputably intended to give the sum-total according to the enumeration of the separate numbers. It cannot be inferred, from the fact that Ezra subsequently, at his return to Jerusalem, brought with him 20 golden כּפורים, that the number of 30 such כּפורים given in this passage is too small.). And did the people willingly offer themselves, in whose hearts the Spirit of Jehovah was, to avail themselves of these privileges? 126:2-3). At the beginning of chapter 7, in 457 B.C. 1. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah are about God’s renewing His errant people. Every true spiritual renewal is founded on and sustained by God’s Word. God’s river of living water tastes so good when you have gone through a dry time and you’re aware that all of Babylon’s pleasures only leave you with despair of soul. Ezra 7:6 tells us that Ezra was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses. The numbers provided in 1 Esdras come much closer to agreeing with the number in Ezra 1:9-11, but this does not necessarily mean that 1 Esdras has been better preserved here than Ezra. 2 “Cyrus king of Persia says: Jehovah, God of the heavens, has given me all the kingdoms of the … The sum of the numbers as they stand in the present Hebrew text is 2,499, instead of 5,400. Some think Babylon is meant by the province; and that the children of the province means those Jews who were born in Babylon. Sheshbazzar brought them all up with the exiles who went up from Babylon to Jerusalem. Do thou, precious Lord Jesus! Them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem. 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