Ezra 8:31

Ezra 8:31 says, Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.  Ezra and those going with him to Jerusalem were now on their way.  We may need time to prepare to do what God calls us to do, but eventually we must get underway.  We cannot just spend all our time getting ready.  God was with them and protected them on their journey, just as He is with Christians today on their journey to do what He has called them to do.  

Verse thirty-two adds, And we came to Jerusalem, and abode there three days.  We aren’t told how long the journey took, though Matthew Henry says it took at least four months most likely, and after they got there, they stayed there for three days.  They were probably also getting organized during this time of resting.  If God leads us on a long and difficult journey, we might need a little time to rest and get organized and we might even have to wait for others who have been called to help us.  

Verse thirty-three continues, Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels 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; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites;  Matthew Henry points out that these men had faithfully transported the silver and gold and the vessels, but were now ready to turn it over to others who would then be responsible for it.  If we are entrusted with the things used in God’s work, we need to be faithful in accounting for it, but we also must be willing t turn it over to others to be used for what God designates it to be used for.  I personally don’t believe that God ever calls on us to just hoard the money or even possessions that He blesses us with, and if we do, they are of no benefit in accomplishing His work.  

Verse thirty-four states, By number and by weight of every one: and all the weight was written at that time.  An accurate account was made of these things, and we as the church today must have people who will give an honest accounting of those things received by the church, and I believe we as individuals must give an honest accounting to God of how we have used the things He has blessed us with.  

Verse thirty-five adds, Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering unto the Lord.  The people who returned from captivity also offered a large feast to God as both a burnt offering and a sin offering.  Matthew Henry says that the twelve bullocks and twelve male goats represented the twelve tribes and the ninety-six rams, or eight times twelve, represented the unity of the tribes.  He did not say what the significance of the seventy-seven lambs represented, but he did bring up that the eleven tribes having been divided were now reunited.  The Levites would have been dispersed between the two groups which made it eleven tribes. 

Verse thirty-six continues, And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.  They delivered the king’s commissions to his lieutenants and governors, and they then furthered the accomplishment of the people of Israel in restoring God's house.   Of course, it all had to start with the people of Israel repenting and returning to God in obedience.  Today, in order to do God’s work, we must come to Him in repentance and accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, and if you haven.t, my prayer as always is that you will do so today.