Thursday 21st May
Read Ezra 8:1-14
“These are the family heads and those registered with them who came up with me from Babylon during the reign of King Artaxerxes:
2 of the descendants of Phinehas, Gershom;
of the descendants of Ithamar, Daniel;
of the descendants of David, Hattush 3 of the descendants of Shekaniah;
of the descendants of Parosh, Zechariah, and with him were registered 150 men;
4 of the descendants of Pahath-Moab, Eliehoenai son of Zerahiah, and with him 200 men;
5 of the descendants of Zattu, Shekaniah son of Jahaziel, and with him 300 men;
6 of the descendants of Adin, Ebed son of Jonathan, and with him 50 men;
7 of the descendants of Elam, Jeshaiah son of Athaliah, and with him 70 men;
8 of the descendants of Shephatiah, Zebadiah son of Michael, and with him 80 men;
9 of the descendants of Joab, Obadiah son of Jehiel, and with him 218 men;
10 of the descendants of Bani, Shelomith son of Josiphiah, and with him 160 men;
11 of the descendants of Bebai, Zechariah son of Bebai, and with him 28 men;
12 of the descendants of Azgad, Johanan son of Hakkatan, and with him 110 men;
13 of the descendants of Adonikam, the last ones, whose names were Eliphelet, Jeuel and Shemaiah, and with them 60 men;
14 of the descendants of Bigvai, Uthai and Zakkur, and with them 70 men.” (NIVUK)
If you did read today’s names, and not skim to the bottom as I often do, you will find something quite fascinating. The names listed echo, down to the family, many of those previously listed when God’s people first responded to the call to return to Jerusalem (Ezra 2). If we were under the misapprehension that it was entire families who made the decision to return when first called, and other families chose not to, then these names reveal that error. The decision to follow God’s call is never straightforward. It divided families. And even now we would be unwise to conclude that two halves have now rejoined.
Whilst these may be decisions that families made together, an advance party to prepare the way whilst others maintain the necessary financial stability, it reveals a truth that Jesus is only too well aware of. Decisions to follow God’s call are divisive by their nature. There are new allegiances required that cross traditional loyalty to family bloodlines. We are blessed when those we love most join us in following Jesus. From this flows thanksgiving. But there is pain when they choose not to. It is incomprehensible to them and often considered betrayal. When we give thanks we should equally pray for those not blessed in this way.
There was likely joy when these families reunited in God’s city after decades apart and we are right to reflect on that joy this morning. But equally this reunification may have reminded others of what they had sacrificed.
“‘Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn
‘“a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law –
36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.”
37 ‘Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:34-39) (NIVUK)
