Ezra 2

Most of this chapter gives the numbers of people that returned from Babylon to Jerusalem. While we don't find much inspiration in all those names and numbers, I do think that it is amazing that so many people returned from a country where they were prosperous and well settled to a city that was broken down and destroyed. It was surrounded by enemies and the wall was gone. There was little in the way of industry and it could have seemed that there was no future in Jerusalem. But, many responded to the call to rebuild Jerusalem. Also, I was amazed by wealth of these people. They had many, many animals and much other wealth. Even in this land of captivity, God had been blessing them. God is such a merciful God! He had banished them to another country for their sins. Yet, He continued to bless them in this strange country. Another thing: these people gave very willingly of what they had. The temple needed to be built and these people gave liberally of their wealth so that the temple could be rebuilt. We too should be liberal with the things that God has blessed us with and God will in turn reward us for our generosity.