Ezra opens with a full chapter that speaks to God’s sovereignty to move the hearts of kings and bring His people back from their well-deserved exile. The second chapter of Ezra is like pulling the emergency brake while flying down the highway at 100 miles per hour. Who is Shephatiah? Adonikam? Mikmash? Hagabah? Why are we given this list of names? And why should we care?
Good questions! The names in Ezra 2 may puzzle us because we’re not accustomed to long lists of family trees. In fact, I’d imagine most of us can’t even name our great-grandparents. Proverbs 22:1 tells us that “a good name is more desirable than great riches.” “Name” in that verse refers to a person’s reputation or standing in the community, but we can extend the principle out a bit as we reflect on this long list of names in Ezra. God’s people had been in exile for 70 years. If you remember your biblical history, you know they were in exile because they committed idolatry—spiritual adultery—and joined in marriage with people who did not follow the Lord. You’ll also remember that when they entered and conquered the land, God gave each tribe a certain allotment of land to tend and care for.
So, as God’s people prepared to return to the land of promise, two things were of paramount importance. First, despite exile, God’s people would remain stewards of the land God owned. Because of this, they should return to the land of their inheritance as outlined in the book of Joshua. Second, God’s people must be faithful to God, unlike those who were exiled. This list of names serves both purposes. The returnees were indeed returning to their ancestral land, and these people were indeed God’s people, descended from Abraham. Through them, God would bless the entire world.
Go Deeper
Why is this list of names important for the book of Ezra? How does this list of ordinary people encourage your faith?
Pray with Us
Gracious Lord, as we steward what You have given us, please help us be faithful. Let us bring blessing to those around us through our good stewardship.
A good name is more desirable than great riches.Proverbs 22:1
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