Ezra 2: The List of the Exiles Who Returned

Verses 64-65:

The whole company numbered 42,360, besides their 7,337 male and female slaves; and they also had 200 men and women who were singers.

◇ The people of Judah were taken into Babylonian captivity in stages, starting from 605 B.C., before the fall of Jerusalem, and continuing after its fall in four stages, the last being in 581 B.C. According to the Bible, except for the poorest, all the nobility were taken captive. After the fall of Babylon to Persia, by the decree of King Cyrus, they began to return to their homeland of Judah in three stages, from 537 B.C. to 444 B.C.

Chapter 2 records the first group of returnees. There were 2,360 people, 7,337 slaves, and 200 singers who returned. Their records also include horses, camels, mules, and donkeys. The returnees were diverse: leaders, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, the descendants of the temple servants (the Nethinim, who, though foreigners and treated with low regard, held to the faith in the Lord), and the descendants of Solomon's servants (descendants of Canaanite tribes whom Solomon had made slaves). This group comprised political leaders, religious leaders, and the servants and slaves who attended them. There were both Jews and non-Jews among them.

The condition for returning to Jerusalem was not Jewish lineage. It was not about being a priest or a noble. The condition for returning was faith in the Lord. It did not matter whether one was of Jewish or foreign descent, a priest or a layperson, a slave or a free person. Anyone who wanted to rebuild the Lord's temple could return to Judah, to Jerusalem. They could contribute to the reconstruction of the temple.

In serving God, there should be no segregation or discrimination. Skin color, ethnicity, nationality, gender, or anything else should not be a barrier to serving God. If one has faith in God and a sincere desire to be a co-worker in fulfilling God's will, anyone can do God's work.

Lord, help us to serve without prejudice, without distinctions or discrimination! Let us focus solely on faith in You and the passion for doing Your work when we serve! Help us to consider what pleases You! Holy Spirit, lead us in truth!