Chapter 51—A Spiritual Revival
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Ezra’s arrival in Jerusalem was opportune. There was great need
of the influence of his presence. His coming brought courage and
hope to the hearts of many who had long labored under difficulties.
Since the return of the first company of exiles under the leadership
of Zerubbabel and Joshua, over seventy years before, much had been
accomplished. The temple had been finished, and the walls of the city
had been partially repaired. Yet much remained undone.
Among those who had returned to Jerusalem in former years, there
were many who had remained true to God as long as they lived; but a
considerable number of the children and the children’s children lost
sight of the sacredness of God’s law. Even some of the men entrusted
with responsibilities were living in open sin. Their course was largely
neutralizing the efforts made by others to advance the cause of God; for
so long as flagrant violations of the law were allowed to go unrebuked,
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the blessing of Heaven could not rest upon the people.
It was in the providence of God that those who returned with Ezra
had had special seasons of seeking the Lord. The experiences through
which they had just passed, on their journey from Babylon, unprotected
as they had been by any human power, had taught them rich spiritual
lessons. Many had grown strong in faith; and as these mingled with
the discouraged and the indifferent in Jerusalem, their influence was a
powerful factor in the reform soon afterward instituted.
On the fourth day after the arrival, the treasures of silver and gold,
with the vessels for the service of the sanctuary, were delivered by
the treasurers into the hands of the temple officers, in the presence of
witnesses, and with the utmost exactitude. Every article was examined
“by number and by weight.”
Ezra 8:34
.
The children of the captivity who had returned with Ezra “offered
burnt offerings unto the God of Israel” for a sin offering and as a token
of their gratitude and thanksgiving for the protection of holy angels
during the journey. “And they delivered the king’s commissions unto
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