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(The views expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
Ezra 8:31–36, “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. And we came to Jerusalem, and abode there three days. 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; By number and by weight of every one: and all the weight was written at that time. 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. 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.”
After considerable preparation, accompanied by prayer and fasting, Ezra and his company set out from the Ahava River in Babylon. Many Jews had settled in Babylon during the Exile and this city became a leading centre of Jewish study for many centuries after that. Many of the most gifted Jewish teachers and scholars lived there so they collected their company in that place before they left to return to Jerusalem. They eventually arrived in Jerusalem then rested for three days. After that they began to distribute the treasure they had brought with them so that the work of rebuilding the Temple in David’s ancient city could continue. They also offered sacrifices of thanksgiving, praise and worship to the Lord God, Who had brought them safely home.
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