Ezra 8:1-14 – The Second Wave
In today’s reading, Ezra records the names of several leading Israelites who accompanied him from the lands of exile to Jerusalem. Many of these leaders bring with them significant numbers of men. As most of these likely brought wives and children with them, we can estimate that several thousand men, women, and children prepared to make the journey to Jerusalem. This represents the second major wave of Jews returning to Judah from exile
The Babylonian Exile began in 605 B.C., when Nebuchadnezzar conquered Judah and took many people from the leading families into captivity in Babylon. Among these were Daniel and his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (otherwise known as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego). Later, in 597 B.C., another larger group of Jews were taken into captivity. Among them was the prophet Ezekiel, while Jeremiah remained in Jerusalem. Finally, in 586 B.C., the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple and took all but a few of the remaining Jews into exile.
Just as the exile occurred in three major waves, there were also three major waves of people returning from the Babylonian Exile. The first took place under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua after 539 B.C. The second, recorded here, was led by Ezra around 458 B.C. A third will be led by Nehemiah a little over a decade later. This reveals something of the wondrous character of God. Not only did He keep His promise to end the Babylonian Exile, He did so in a manner that demonstrates orderliness and well-roundedness. We can only stand in awe of such a God.
Questions
- How many waves of exiles were taken into captivity?
- In what years did these events take place?
- How many waves of Jews returned from exile?
- Why is this remarkable?
Prayer Points
- Praise God for the wondrousness of His works.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.