Saturday 2nd May
Read Ezra 2:43-63
“The temple servants:
| the descendants of |
| Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth, |
| 44 Keros, Siaha, Padon, |
| 45 Lebanah, Hagabah, Akkub, |
| 46 Hagab, Shalmai, Hanan, |
| 47 Giddel, Gahar, Reaiah, |
| 48 Rezin, Nekoda, Gazzam, |
| 49 Uzza, Paseah, Besai, |
| 50 Asnah, Meunim, Nephussim, |
| 51 Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur, |
| 52 Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha, |
| 53 Barkos, Sisera, Temah, |
| 54 Neziah and Hatipha |
55 The descendants of the servants of Solomon:
| the descendants of | |
| Sotai, Hassophereth, Peruda, | |
| 56 Jaala, Darkon, Giddel, | |
| 57 Shephatiah, Hattil, | |
| Pokereth-Hazzebaim and Ami | |
| 58 The temple servants and the descendants of the servants of Solomon | 392 |
59 The following came up from the towns of Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon and Immer, but they could not show that their families were descended from Israel:
| 60 The descendants of | |
| Delaiah, Tobiah and Nekoda | 652 |
61 And from among the priests:
| The descendants of |
| Hobaiah, Hakkoz and Barzillai (a man who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by that name). |
62 These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. 63 The governor ordered them not to eat any of the most sacred food until there was a priest ministering with the Urim and Thummim.” (NIVUK)
More and more names. Genealogies are sometimes hard work. For those familiar with ancient Hebrew names, there is something interesting about these. These servants have names that seem to be a mix of Hebrew and foreign names. They are likely folk who were captured at the height of the Davidic and Solomonic kingdoms and pressed into temple service. So, it is surprising that they should now choose to throw their lot in with the God of Israel.
The second group could not trace their lineage successfully and confirm they were wholly part of God’s people and able to serve in the temple. Regardless they still traveled for months across the desert to settle in ruins and rebuild the temple. They hoped that they would ultimately be shown to be worthy.
Loyalty to Yahweh despite uncertainty and suffering is the mark of those who believe.
