As the Jews returned from captivity each man or woman apparently had to prove his or her ancestry. Especially this was so of the leaders. (Remember, priests could only serve IF they were of the Tribe of Levi and of the family of Aaron, one of his descendants.)
And not everyone was able to do this …
Ezra 2:59-63 … “And these were they which went up from Telmelah, Telharsa, Cherub, Addan, and Immer: BUT THEY COULD NOT SHEW THEIR FATHER’S HOUSE, AND THEIR SEED, WHETHER THEY WERE OF ISRAEL: the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty and two. And of THE CHILDREN OF THE PRIESTS: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name: THESE SOUGHT THEIR REGISTER AMONG THOSE THAT WERE RECKONED BY GENEAOLOGY, BUT THEY WERE NOT FOUND: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things.”
Wow!
The Book of Ezra nearly “majors” on the idea of purity, of separation. We shall notice that fact again and again as we journey through the Book.
Who are these so denied?
Folks who let their identity “slip.”
Folks whose “heritage” was not worth recording, preserving.
And probably folks who figured they would be admitted to Jewish privileges … no questions asked!
So really Ezra chapter 2 is “inclusive,” for the most part, listing the heads of nearly 50,000 Israelites who “came home” at that first opportunity. But the chapter is “exclusive” as well … as our Text today clearly reveals.
But … how do we apply this fact … this tragedy … to our everyday lives?
As professing Believers in Jesus, we too are warned about “making sure” of our birthright!
Paul, for example: “EXAMINE YOURSELVES, whether ye be in the faith; PROVE YOUR OWN SELVES. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be REPROBATES?” 2nd Corinthians 13:5
Are you sure you’re written in the Lamb’s Book of Life?
“And there shall in no wise enter into it (New Jerusalem, Heaven) any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Revelation 21:27
Be part of the “in” crowd!
And if you’re not, here’s an invitation right now. “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37, sinner friend … YOU are God’s gift to His Son Jesus … come to Him today! He will gladly receive any broken-hearted, repenting soul!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Merry Christmas!
We love you all in the Lord.
Jesus, in Psalm 40:7, said … “LO, I COME!”
And indeed He did!