Ezra 8:11-20: a reflection

11Of the sons of Bebai, Zechariah the son of Bebai; and with him twenty-eight males. 12Of the sons of Azgad, Johanan the son of Hakkatan; and with him one hundred ten males. 13Of the sons of Adonikam, who were the last, their names are: Eliphelet, Jeuel, and Shemaiah; and with them sixty males. 14Of the sons of Bigvai, Uthai and Zabbud; and with them seventy males. 15I gathered them together to the river that runs to Ahava; and there we encamped three days. Then I looked around at the people and the priests, and found there were none of the sons of Levi. 16Then I sent for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, for Elnathan, for Jarib, for Elnathan, for Nathan, for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib and for Elnathan, who were teachers. 17I sent them out to Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia; and I told them what they should tell Iddo and his brothers the temple servants at the place Casiphia, that they should bring to us ministers for the house of our God. 18According to the good hand of our God on us they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel, namely Sherebiah, with his sons and his brothers, eighteen; 19and Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brothers and their sons, twenty; 20and of the temple servants, whom David and the princes had given for the service of the Levites, two hundred twenty temple servants. All of them were mentioned by name.

As Ezra gathers the returning exiles for the journey to Jerusalem, he reviews the company and notices a gap: there were no Levites among them, none to serve in the house of God. Rather than overlook this lack, Ezra acts to fill it; he sends chief men to bring back ministers for God's house. And the account credits the result to God: According to the good hand of our God on us, they brought us a man of discretion, and others with him. Ezra noticed the gap, took action to fill it, and God's good hand provided the servants needed.

Notice two things: Ezra attended to the gap, and God provided. Ezra did not overlook the lack of Levites, shrugging it off; he noticed that a needed part of God's service was missing, and took deliberate action to fill it, sending for ministers. And as he acted, God's good hand was upon the effort, providing capable servants for the house of God. The gap was noticed and addressed, and God provided what was needed; human attentiveness and God's provision worked together.

That is worth taking to heart, for there can be gaps in God's work that need noticing and filling, and God provides as we attend to them. We can overlook the gaps, the needs unmet, the places where servants are lacking in God's work; but Ezra noticed the missing Levites and acted to fill the gap, and God provided. Do not overlook the gaps in God's work, the needs and lacks you notice; attend to them, take action to fill them, as Ezra sent for the missing Levites. And trust God's good hand to provide what is needed as you act; the God who provided ministers for Ezra's company provides the servants his work needs. Attend to the gaps in God's work rather than overlooking them, and trust his good hand to provide, as Ezra noticed the missing Levites, acted to fill the gap, and saw God's good hand bring the servants needed for the house of God.

Lord, as Ezra gathers the returning exiles for the journey to Jerusalem, he reviews the company and notices a gap: there were no Levites among them, none to serve in the house of God. Rather than overlook this lack, Ezra acts to fill it; he sends chief men to bring back ministers for your house. And the account credits the result to you: according to the good hand of our God on us, they brought us a man of discretion, and others with him. Ezra noticed the gap, took action to fill it, and your good hand provided. Show me two things: Ezra attended to the gap, and you provided. Ezra did not overlook the lack of Levites; he noticed that a needed part of your service was missing, and took deliberate action to fill it. And as he acted, your good hand was upon the effort, providing capable servants. The gap was noticed and addressed, and you provided; human attentiveness and your provision worked together. Take that to my heart, for there can be gaps in your work that need noticing and filling, and you provide as we attend to them. I can overlook the gaps, the needs unmet, the places where servants are lacking; but Ezra noticed the missing Levites and acted, and you provided. Keep me from overlooking the gaps in your work; help me attend to them, take action to fill them, as Ezra sent for the missing Levites. And help me trust your good hand to provide what is needed as I act, Lord.