In Ezra chapter 2 one of Judah’s leaders is named, “Zerubbabel” to be specific. Remember, the man Ezra does not appear in the Book that bears his name until chapter 7. But thereafter, he (Ezra) virtually dominates the remaining chapters.
Read with me. “Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city; WHICH CAME WITH ZERUBBABEL …” Ezra 2:1-2, of course after Zerubbabel’s name comes other leaders as well.
Why is Zerubbabel mentioned first? “Which came with ZERUBBABEL: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah.” Ezra 2:2, the next clause in the verse, ten more men of Judah.
Because he is the “leader” certainly, but also because he is of the Tribe of Judah, and a descendent of David the great King!
Yes, Zerubbabel was the grandson of King Jehoiachin. And Jehoiachin was the son of godly King Josiah! Definitely, royal blood! (I did careful research on this. It is accurate.)
But … not once in the Book of Ezra is Zerubbabel called “King.” Or even “Prince.” Though he was qualified! Not a hint of a popular move to enthrone him!
God had already said (promised) of Israel: “For the children of Israel shall ABIDE MANY DAYS WITHOUT A KING, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim.” Hosea 3:3, “Many days” that had not then ended! Still have not ended!
And though Zerubbabel had the right kind of BLOOD … he did not live at the right TIME to be placed on a throne as King of Judah!
Really, the next King of Judah (King of all Israel in fact) will be JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD! When He gloriously comes again to rule on this earth!
God does everything “on time,” folks!
Solomon beautifully reminds us of this fact in Ecclesiastes 3:11 … “He (the Lord) hath made every thing beautiful in His time.”
He, the Father, sent Jesus to earth … right on time. (Galatians 4:4 … “But when the FULNESS OF THE TIME WAS COME, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman.”)
And Jesus died right on time, God’s time! (Romans 5:6 … “IN DUE TIME Christ died for the ungodly.“)
He is coming again “on time” as well! (The Father already knows the precise time! Mark 13:32 … “But of that DAY and that HOUR knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.”)
No king … until the Real King!
Oh by the way, Psalm 31:15 reminds each of us to say: “My times are in thy hand, O Lord.”
Wow!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Plus this. Had Judah then sought to place Zerubbabel on the throne, that act might have been viewed by Persia (who had been so good to the Jews) as insubordination or even a form of rebellion! It likely would not have been a prudent move! God always knows best!