February 13, 1908

The Return of the Exiles—No. 13

The Journey to Jerusalem, under Ezra

EGW

The decree of Artaxerxes was made in the seventh year of his reign, B. C. 457. Once more the dispersed of Judah were given opportunity to work out the purpose of God in restoring Zion. In the raising up of Ezra as a leader, God's providence was manifest. Some discerned this, and gladly took advantage of the privilege of returning under circumstances so favorable.RH February 13, 1908, par. 1

A general place of meeting was designated, and at the appointed time those who were desirous of going to Jerusalem assembled for the long journey. “I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava,” says Ezra, “and there abode we in tents three days.”RH February 13, 1908, par. 2

The number who responded to the call to leave Babylon, was disappointingly small. Ezra had expected that a large number would return. But many of those who had acquired houses and lands, had no desire to sacrifice these possessions. They loved ease and comfort rather than hardship and privation, and were well satisfied to remain. Their example proved a hindrance to many who might otherwise have chosen to cast in their lot with God's people, and advance by faith.RH February 13, 1908, par. 3

As Ezra looked over the company assembled, he was surprised to find “none of the sons of Levi.” Where were the members of the tribe that had been set apart for the sacred service of the temple? To the call, “Who is on the Lord's side?” the Levites should have been the first to respond. During the period of the captivity, and afterward, they had been granted many privileges. They had enjoyed fullest liberty to minister to the spiritual needs of their Jewish brethren in Babylon. Synagogues had been built, in which the priests conducted the worship of God, and instructed the people. The observance of the Sabbath, and the performance of sacred rights peculiar to the Jewish faith, had been freely allowed.RH February 13, 1908, par. 4

But with the passing of the years after the close of the captivity, conditions changed, and many new responsibilities rested upon the leaders in Israel. The temple at Jerusalem had been rebuilt and dedicated, and more priests were needed to carry on its services. There was pressing need of men of God to act as teachers of the people. And besides, the Jews remaining in Babylon were in danger of having their religious liberty restricted. Through the prophet Zechariah, as well as by their late experience in the troublous times of Esther and Mordecai, God had plainly warned his people to flee from Babylon. The time had come when it was perilous to dwell longer in the midst of heathen influences. In view of these changed conditions, the priests in Babylon should have been quick to discern in the call, “Who is on the Lord's side?” a special call to them to return to Jerusalem.RH February 13, 1908, par. 5

The king and his princes had done more than their part in opening the way for every one who feared God to return. They had provided abundant means for carrying forward the work of God; but where were the men? The sons of Levi failed at a time when their presence was greatly needed at Jerusalem, and when the influence of their decision to return would have led many others to follow their example. Their strange indifference is a sad revelation of the attitude of the Israelites in Babylon toward God's purposes for his people.RH February 13, 1908, par. 6

Once again Ezra addressed the Levites in Babylon with the words, “Who is on the Lord's side?” To emphasize the importance of quick action, he chose nine “chief men,” and two “men of understanding,” as special messengers to return and persuade their brethren to accompany them to Jerusalem.RH February 13, 1908, par. 7

While the travelers tarried, these trusted messengers hastened back to “Iddo the chief,” and “his brethren the nethinims,” with the plea, “Bring unto us ministers for the house of our God.” This entreaty was heeded; a few halting souls made final decision to return. Ezra acknowledged with gratitude that “by the good hand of our God,” his messengers succeeded in returning to the camp quickly with about forty priests, and two hundred twenty nethinims,—men upon whom he could depend as wise ministers and good teachers and helpers.RH February 13, 1908, par. 8

Those who expected to return with Ezra were now ready to start. Before them was a journey that would occupy several months. The men were taking with them their wives and children, and their substance, besides large treasures for the temple and its service. Ezra was aware that enemies lay in wait by the way to attack, plunder, and destroy him and his company; yet he had asked from the king no armed force for their protection.RH February 13, 1908, par. 9

Before setting out on the journey, he sought the protection of the Most High. “I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava,” says Ezra, “that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to ask of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.” Earnest prayer was offered to God for his blessing upon the undertaking. Says Ezra: “I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.”RH February 13, 1908, par. 10

Under ordinary circumstances, it would have been wholly right and proper for Ezra to accept the offer of an armed escort. But in this instance, he had expressed himself to King Artaxerxes so freely regarding his steadfast confidence in the protecting care of the God of Israel, that he was ashamed to ask the king for protection. He believed that in view of all that had been said regarding the true God, the faith of the king in the power of God would be strengthened if the Israelites, on their part, would exercise faith.RH February 13, 1908, par. 11

In this matter, Ezra and his companies discerned an opportunity to magnify the name of God before the heathen; and so they determined to put their trust wholly in him. They knew that if they kept the law of the Lord continually before them, and practised this law, they would be protected by the breastplate of righteousness. They realized that if they wilfully chose to violate even one precept of the decalogue, they would be like a soldier without a breastplate,—unprotected from the assaults of Satan. “So we fasted,” said Ezra, “and besought our God for this: and he was entreated of us.”RH February 13, 1908, par. 12

By prayer and fasting, by self-examination and confession of sin, they sought to come into harmony with God and his holy law. They pleaded with the Lord to purge them from their sins. All harshness and impatience of spirit were put away. Self was crucified; the Lord God was exalted, and he alone. They knew that their strength was to be gained not in wealth, not in the power and influence of idolatrous men, but in the favor of God. Through conformity to his will, they hoped for success. They could not afford to lessen their influence over men, in behalf of the truth, by allowing unsanctified traits of character to obtain the mastery. Nor could they afford to create in the minds of their heathen friends a single doubt as to the sincerity of the profession of faith made by God's commandment-keeping people. They well knew that if they succeeded in their important mission, it would be because they had complied with the requirements of God, thus making it possible for his blessing to accompany them. Under these peculiar circumstances, they asked for no guard of soldiers. The heathen must not be given occasion to ascribe to the strength of man the glory that belonged to God alone.RH February 13, 1908, par. 13

But the blessing of God does not take the place of prudence and forethought. As a special precaution in safeguarding the treasure, Ezra “separated twelve of the chief of the priests,”—proved men, wise men of opportunity, men of faithfulness and determined fidelity,—“and weighed unto them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering of the house of our God, which the king, and his counselors, and his lords, and all Israel there present, had offered.” These men were solemnly charged to act as vigilant stewards over the treasure entrusted to their care. “Ye are holy unto the Lord,” Ezra declared; “the vessels are holy also; and the silver and the gold are a free-will offering unto the Lord God of your fathers. Watch ye, and keep them, until ye weigh them before the chief of the priests and the Levites, and chief of the fathers of Israel, at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the Lord.RH February 13, 1908, par. 14

“So took the priests and the Levites the weight of the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, to bring them to Jerusalem unto the house of our God.”RH February 13, 1908, par. 15

The care exercised by Ezra in providing for the transportation and safe-keeping of the Lord's treasure, is an object-lesson worthy of thoughtful study. Only those whose trustworthiness had been proved, were chosen; and they were instructed plainly as to their responsibility before God. In the appointment of faithful officers to act as treasurers of the Lord's goods, Ezra recognized the necessity and value of order and organization in connection with the work of God.RH February 13, 1908, par. 16

During the few days that the Israelites had tarried to seek the Lord for protection and guidance, every provision was completed for the long journey. “We departed from the river of Ahava,” Ezra writes, “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.” They were on the way about four months, reaching Jerusalem “on the first day of the fifth month,” in the seventh year of Artaxerxes. The multitude that accompanied Ezra—several thousand in all, including women and children—necessitated a slow journey, but all were preserved in safety.RH February 13, 1908, par. 17

The Lord wrought for the returning Jews. Even their enemies were restrained from doing them harm. None were able to intercept them, and their journey was a prosperous one.RH February 13, 1908, par. 18

This experience is a lesson to all those who have set their faces toward the New Jerusalem. The Christian pilgrim is to make his journey one of trust in the keeping power of God. There will always be enemies, emissaries of Satan, on the alert to hurt and destroy every soul who is not on guard, and who has not provided himself with the Christian armor of righteousness and peace.RH February 13, 1908, par. 19

Fellow pilgrim, let strict faithfulness and determined fidelity characterize your every act. Let every step of the journey to the New Jerusalem be taken with eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. Those who will keep the way of the Lord, in strict obedience, will have the guardianship of heavenly angels as they travel Zionward. All self-seeking, all dissension and strife, will be put away. Unity and harmony will prevail.RH February 13, 1908, par. 20

May we take these experiences in the history of Israel to heart, consecrate ourselves anew to God, and live to the honor and glory of his name.RH February 13, 1908, par. 21