Context No. 3990 of 4322 · Ezra

Ezra 2:55-63: in context

55The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Hassophereth, the children of Peruda, 56the children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel, 57the children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth Hazzebaim, the children of Ami. 58All the temple servants, and the children of Solomon’s servants, were three hundred ninety-two. 59These were those who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer; but they could not show their fathers’ houses and their offspring, whether they were of Israel: 60the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty-two. 61Of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, and the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name. 62These sought their place among those who were registered by genealogy, but they were not found; therefore they were deemed disqualified and removed from the priesthood. 63The governor told them that they should not eat of the most holy things until a priest stood up to serve with Urim and with Thummim.

Among the lists of those who returned from exile, this passage notes a poignant group: some families who could not prove their descent, who searched the genealogical records but could not find their names, and so were, for a time, held back, the priests among them not permitted to serve until their status could be confirmed by God through the Urim and Thummim.

Here is a picture of the importance of belonging, and of true identity among God's people. These people wanted to belong, to serve, but they could not establish their claim, and the matter was left, not to human guesswork, but to God to resolve. There is a searching truth in this for us. Belonging to God's people is not something we can fake or presume; it must be real. And ultimately, it is God who knows who are truly his. The uncertain cases were left to his judgment, for he alone sees the heart and knows his own. It is a reminder to make sure our own belonging to God is genuine, resting not on presumption but on a real relationship with him.

Is my belonging to God genuine and not merely presumed, and do I rest in the truth that God himself knows those who are truly his, so that I make sure my own relationship with him is real?

Sources

Ezra 2:62: "These sought their place among those who were registered by genealogy, but they were not found; therefore they were deemed disqualified and removed from the priesthood."
Ezra 2:63: "That they should not eat of the most holy things until a priest stood up to serve with Urim and with Thummim."
2 Timothy 2:19: "The Lord knows those who are his."