SPEAKER_02 0:00

When Ezra prepared to lead the Israelites back to Jerusalem from Babylon, Scripture tells us that none of the sons of Levi could be found. Why was this? And what lesson is there for us today? Join Reverend Daniel for a sermon based upon Ezra chapter 8, verses 1 to 23.

SPEAKER_01 0:21

Good morning, church. Today's reading is taken from the book of Ezra, chapter 8, verses 1 to 23. The genealogy of those who return with Ezra. Verse 1. These are the heads of their fathers' houses, and this is the genealogy of those who went up with me from Babylonia in the reign of Arthur the king, of the sons of Enaeas, Goshom, of the sons of Itamar Daniel, of the sons of David, Hatush, of the sons of Shekaniah, who was of the sons of Parosh, Zechariah, with whom were registered 150 men, of the sons of Pafmof Elihonai, and the sons of Zehariah, and with him two hundred men, of the sons of Zatu, Shechaniah, the son of Jehazel, and with him three hundred men. Of the sons of Eden, Ebed, the son of Jonathan, and with him, fifteen men, of the sons of Elam, Joshiah, the son of Ataliah, and with him seventy men, of the sons of Shephiah, Zebadiah, the son of Michael, and with him eighteen men, of the sons of Joam, Obadiah, the son of Jehil, and with him two hundred and eighteen men, of the sons of Bani, Shalomith, and the son of Joshiah, and with him hundred and sixty men, of the sons of Behai, Zechariah, the son of Behai, and with him twenty-eight men. Of the sons of Azgad, Johanan, the son of Hakatan, and with him 110 men. Of the sons of Adonai come, those who came later, their names being Elifahet, Jewel, Shehimiah, and with him, sixty men. Of the sons of Big Bai, Utai and Zakor, and with them seventy men. Verse 15. I gathered them to the river that runs to Ahava, and where we camped three days. As I reviewed the people and the priests, I found that there were none of the sons of Levi. Then I sent for Eliza, Ariel, Shemiah, El Nathan, Jarib, El Nathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Mashulam, leading men, and for Joairib and El Nathan, who were men of insight. And sent them to Edo, the leading men at us at the place Kasifiah, telling them what to say to Edo and his brothers and the temple servants at the place Kasifiah, namely, to send us ministers for the house of our God. And by the good hand of our Lord on us, they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mali, the sons of Levi, the son of Israel, namely Sherubiah, with his sons and kinsmen, eighteen. And also Hashabiah, and with him Joshiah of the sons of Merari, with his kinsmen and their sons, twenty, besides two hundred and twenty of the temple servants whom David and his officials had set us apart to attend the Levites. These were all mentioned by name. Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek with from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, the hand of our God is for our good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him. So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

SPEAKER_00 4:54

So good morning, church. We are continuing the sermon series on Ashra Nehemiah. We recall last week that uh Pastor Wei shared from Ashra chapter 7 on the favor of Atarzexus, the king of Persia, to entrust Ashra with the authority to appoint magistrates and judges and to teach God's law to the people. Today we'll be looking at Ashra chapter 8, and with two twin focuses in terms of what the we can draw from the text itself. First is on consolidating the people. So the focus is really consolidating the strength of Israel, those who will be returning from Babylon to Jerusalem. And not only that, secondly, to enlist help and prayer and prayers needed for the journey to Jerusalem. So consolidating the people, that's number one. And secondly, to enlist help and prayers for the journey. Let us pray. Father, we yield our hearts to you this morning, and Lord, we pray that you speak to us through your word and leave us up to where you are. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. So we read from Ashra chapter 7, verse 8 to 9, that Ashra went to Jerusalem on the first day of the first month of the seventh year of Attaz Accessus. He arrives on the first day of the fifth month of that year, which is at 458 BC, to teach the law to the people. Interestingly, during the time of Ashra Nehemiah, the priests, together with Ashra, who is the priest's scribe, took the lead in Jewish leadership. So we see that uh very often in Ashra Nehemiah. The priests were the ones taking charge of the leadership. They were at the forefront of leading in worship and sacrifices as well as the teaching of the law. So, rightly so, if the priests were the ones taking charge and taking the lead, at the beginning of the genealogy, we see uh of first importance the naming of uh sons of priestly descent. So we we read in Esherah chapter 8, verse 2 um it records the priests, uh two lines of priests and a person of Davidic descent, as of first importance, of the sons of Finihas, Joshom, and of the sons of Itamah, Daniel, of the sons of David, Hatush. So these are uh the list of the priests is being listed first. So just for our note, the genealogical record traces Finihas and Itama to the line of Aaron. So all the way to the line of Aaron, who was appointed as the priest during the time of Moses. And Hatush is traced to being one of the sons of David. Right? So the two lines of priests, as I mentioned, Finihas and Itama come, came from the line of Aaron, who in turn came from the tribe of Levi in the Old Testament. So this is where uh the importance of uh the tribe of Levi uh to offer sacrifices uh to God as set apart priests for that purpose. So when the Lord broke the Egyptian yoke off the backs of the Israelites, he declared in Numbers chapter 3 verse 12 to 13. Numbers 3 verse 12 to 13 says, Behold, I've taken the Levites from among the people of Israel, instead of every firstborn who opens the womb among the people of Israel. The Levites shall be mine, for all the firstborn are mine. So they were consecrated, the Levites were consecrated for God and for his purpose and use, so to speak. So they were set apart to serve God at the place of worship and to offer sacrifices. So two of Aaron's sons, uh Eliza and Itamah, fathered two lines of priests. So Itamah is mentioned in the genealogy, and interestingly, Phinihas, which is the other priest mentioned, was the son of Eliza, so uh, which is uh then Aaron's grandson. Right? So these uh historical roots are important because Israel is grounded in history, their journey as a people of God is grounded in the historical context of the line of Aaron. So it's important that uh Phinehas and Itama traces their line back to Aaron, who in turn traces uh the history back to Moses. So Ezra 8 verses 3 to 14 then lists 12 other families. So first the listing of the priest and the son of David, and then it begins to list the 12 families, right? So Ezra 8 verse 1 says, These are the heads of the father's houses, right? And this is the genealogy of those who went up from Babylon, Babylonia in the reign of Athaseus the king. So as Ezra 8 1 says, these are the house, the heads of their father's houses, but it it stopped short of uh listing down the tribes, but begin to mention the priests first offers importance and then so if you count, I won't read out all the names, but there are actually 12 uh names mentioned of the sons of so and so, right? So there are 12 names. So the number 12 uh in biblical uh uh numbering, you see that occurring again in the book of Revelation, oftentimes represents the totality of Ishrael, the totality of the people that gathers uh for the purpose in this context of returning from Babylon to uh Jerusalem. And it's significant that 12 families are listed, and it is going to be even more significant as you read through the narrative. Uh, in Eshrah 8 verse 24, uh, there were 12 of the leading priests being set aside. Again, the number 12, Ashrah 8.4 says, I set apart 12 of the leading priests. And again, when the people came, this is fast forward to not uh today, but uh the next uh person who will preach, uh we we see that 12 happening again in Ashrah 8.35. At those times, those who had come from captivity, the return exiles, offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel, 12 booze for all Israel, and as a sin offering, 12 meal goats. Perfect offering, what is needed. Right? So um, so the child that forms a totality of those called by God, those chosen by God to return. And they are the true community that had gathered before God, and they will be the ones that will embark on the journey to Jerusalem. So if you recall that it's a great sacrifice involved because perhaps most of them are prominent leaders or they hold certain position and status in the Babylonian uh diaspora, so they probably have certain families or certain work occupation, but uh to them that's the only homeland they know, right, in Babylonia. But now they have gave everything up and they will make their way to Jerusalem, leaving everything behind. But then we we hear of a problem as we continue to read on through the narrative. Then a problem arises. However, we observe in Ezra 8, verse 15 to 20, as Israel revealed the people and the priests, he he discovered that among those going up, there were none of the sons of Levi who needed to fulfill a crucial role. They were not part of the returning entourage. Though provisions were made for them earlier in Eshra 7 verse 13 to King Arthur Zexus, uh, when he makes when he made the decree, he said, Any one of the people of Israel, of their priests or their Levites in my kingdom who freely offers to go out to Jerusalem may go with you. So the provision is there, but none of so-called the sons of Levi were formed, were engaged. So then they had a problem. So why why wouldn't they come along? Perhaps there's a fear of uprooting from the existing community and the drastic change from their current pursuits to the strict routines of temple worship may help may have helped may have helped back some of the the Levites from taking up the role. We do not know, but likely that could be one of the uh challenges that the people face. Then Ashra sent for a certain uh number of people, the leading men, as we heard earlier in the text. So, and they found uh Jorai Reeb and Inatan, Ig Elnatan, sorry, who were men of insight. Um so they were sent there. Um then they went to the place called Kashperiah, where uh there were many Levites living there, so they were the ones then requesting for ministers in the house of the Lord. Then, of course, in Eshura 8, verse 18 to 20, the it records the result of the request, and interestingly, it's by the good hand of our God on us that God provided. It is God who chose, it is God now who have provided for the people. So they brought us a man of discretion of the sons of Mali, the son of Levi, son of Israel, namely Sharibiah with his sons and kingsmen, and also Hashabiah with and with him Jezeh of the sons of Merari with his kingsmen and their sons, and 220 temple servants whom David and his officials had set apart to attend the Levites. So this is a good response, right? So because despite the priests going up, the priests can't do the work alone, right? They do need a team of assistants. What some of them are actually Levites to work with the priests, and also now we we know that temple servants also came in to help, right? So uh so they came, and and because of that, the people of God were able to move on. And in Ashrah 8, verse 21 to 23, then records further preparation for the return. So um Ashrah called a fast at the river of Ahava to humble themselves before God to seek for a safe journey uh for themselves, and because they have trusted uh the hand of God and they needed to continue to pray and ask God to see them through. And interestingly, it was likely a dangerous journey on the road from Persia, uh from Babylonia to uh Jerusalem.

unknown 17:24

Right?

SPEAKER_00 17:25

The returnees would be open to bandits and pirates as well as to dishonest and trustworthy people along the road, meaning that they were at a vulnerable position. Not only that, they had to carry temple vessels and money in toll. So quite a dangerous undertaking. Therefore, they realized that they they still needed to know that God's hand was upon them. So they seeked the Lord, uh, they humbled themselves, they prayed, to rely on God's power and to trust in his continual provision through fasting and prayer. So, what is the implication for us, you know, uh, in this seemingly uh just a short passage where there's a genealogy, consolidating of the people and enlisting help and prayer, prayers for the journey. So, what are the implications for us? I like to draw two implications for us this morning. Firstly, we need to take our stand to serve God. The first implication is I believe God desires that we take our stand to serve Him. The heart of Ashrah chapter 8, verse 1 to 23, is actually the gathering of the Levites for their role in the temple sacrifices, since none of the Levites were found initially. So all the genealogy points to the fact that everyone is ready except the sons of Levites. So how uh they were gathered finally and they could return, continue the journey. So, just as how the Levites had very specific roles to fulfill in the worship at the temple and were indispensable, so to speak, because if there were no Levites, worship cannot continue. They were important people, they were needed to be in the temple to fulfill a certain role. So, similarly, we all of us here have a role to fulfill that only we can do. Sometimes we have the hearing uh that no one is indispensable. Don't worry, you know, even as I leave, God will send someone. It's true in some way uh that God raises people, but is but for specific tasks, uh we are indispensable because God perhaps is calling us for something, uh certain mission or purpose that only we can fulfill in his eternal purposes. So we cannot farm out what God has called us to do or give away our role to someone else, just as how the Levites had to rise up to fulfill their role, right, in the divine scheme of things. So all of us, I believe, need to take our stand to serve God. And I believe this is not the first time I'm I'm saying this. Uh in one of the discipleship uh weeks, Sundays, I've shared that one of the signs of our vitality as a people of God is when we rise up to serve God wherever he has called us. So I'd like to encourage all of us to take our stand and be counted among the number who will serve God and his purposes in our time. And it's more than just coming to church and serving him with our gifts and abilities. I believe that going beyond our gifts and abilities, God desires to work out his purposes in and through our lives. He has a specific plan and design for us that only we can fulfill. So, do we live for a purpose bigger than our own? I like to just uh share a snippet of my own personal journey of kind of uh discovering my purpose in God. And uh my tagline is this I'm living for a purpose bigger than my own. And I find that if I live each day, knowing that I'm contributing and living for a bigger reason than just uh getting the paycheck, uh make sure the house is in order, make sure uh certain work commitments get run through. If that is only Life, you know, then it's quite sad. But in my own journey, I discovered that God is calling me to be a part of His mission in the world. And until I fulfill that mission, I'm just living in my own pigeon hole and just doing my own thing. But I believe God has a greater purpose that He has revealed to all creation. So it's not rocket science, you know, that what the purpose are. But God has already revealed to us his purpose in our lives. God desires to give us a vision for our lives that we will wake up each day excited, thrilled, because we are not just getting uh the machinery going, just living day by day, but we are living for a purpose bigger than ourselves. And it's bigger than just mining our family or trying to get by. In 2019, I completed an overdue uh writing project, my first writing project uh on the Bible's grand story, tracing God's plan and promise in scripture. Uh some time back I've I've given this out, so it's still available. Copies uh we printed uh very generously quite a number of copies is still available, but within it I trace God's plan and promise of salvation, and it culminates and in the person of Jesus Christ. My central point in the in the short book is this that scripture points to and culminates in Jesus. So we see the the history of God's story, how he reveals himself from creation to new creation, from Adam and Eve to the fall of man, to the calling of Abraham, down to Moses and the Exodus, to David and the prophets, and further down to Jesus. God is working out his purpose for all creation, not just for me and my family and my work and just getting into a good career, but God is working out his purpose for all creation and he's calling us to participate in what he's doing in the world today. So I found my meaning and purpose when it's framed within the larger purpose of God. And within the larger story of God and purpose of God, I then asked myself this question. And I believe it's the same question that we should ask ourselves. And the question is this what is my role and purpose within the overarching purpose of God's metastory or God's great story? What has God placed in my hands? What are some natural inclinations, passions, and gifts? So you see, the logic is such that we are not just getting by, we are not just trying to find uh a good career and just make uh a lot of money or having a good retirement plan, but participating in God's mission of reconciling the world to himself, right? Of God uh moving all things and to the time where he will come once again in the new creation to restore all things. So God is calling us in light of his greater purpose for all creation. Then the question I need to ask myself is what is my role and what is how am I contributing to God's purpose, God's kingdom in the divine scheme of things. So then that led me on a journey as I uh I know that one of the things that God has spoken is that He does He's calling me into full-time Christian ministry. So even within a full-time Christian ministry, there's also a specific calling within the general purpose of God. So in I mean it's a kind of a summary, but if I would like to say that in terms of the role of pastors, uh there's a can be in some ways summarized in three areas. And these three areas are quite distinct, yet related and needed. So uh the first area is the uh the need to lead or the the gift of leadership, right? So what this means is uh someone who can influence others towards a common goal or vision, right? That presupposes uh relational strengths, right? You are able to rally people, relate to people, and point them to a common vision. But that is not enough, right? To be a leader in God's house, you also need to be able to manage and direct resources well, right? So there must be some strong executive ability, right? So uh so the gift of leadership, right? It's not easy because we do have a lot of people that is strong in either one. Yeah, you may be very relational, you can mobilize people, but you may not have executive strengths. But there are those also who can lead, right, in so-called the circular world, they have very strong uh strength in management, able to direct resources, very resourceful, but cannot relate to others. Right? So that's a challenge in the Christian world, and I believe in the circular world. So to be a leader, you need both. You need relational skills, but you also need executive ability. So who is sufficient for such a task? Uh probably not me. But this is a very key role and in leadership. Uh, secondly, uh in uh pastoral ministry, there's a gift of teaching, uh, which is the ability to draw from scripture and also the wider Christian tradition with sufficient depth and to interpret it in such a way that it can be understood and applied today. So teaching is important, uh, it's a pillar of the church. And I guess in the pastoral office, God raised teachers for such a time as this. And then there's pastoral care. So those with a tremendous gift of attending and listening to others, very important skill and gift, right? And of course, applying psychotherapeutic insights for healing. You know, God uses the social sciences, God uses counseling techniques, and usually as insights, resources for healing. So these are the three areas, and I personally believe that pastors are made, not born with. We all have a journey to take, and in my own journey, I realized that I have to work on all these three areas, right? Uh, and in my whole uh understanding of pastoral calling, we all grow in these three areas. But as we grow, as we serve, you know, I remember we I do bum around, make mistakes, but nevertheless, this is the so-called the benchmark in a lot of uh uh ministries, in a lot of uh for those who are seeking, uh even in the context of ordained ministry, uh, these three parameters uh usually are quite critically examined in as part of a process of uh preparing ordinance for full-time ordained ministry. So there must be a demonstration of uh certain ability in these three areas in some way. So we all grow in certain ability, but as we go and serve the Lord, I believe in my own journey, then God begins to give certain gifts and certain graces, certain inclination. Some of us will do more of certain things because there is a drive, there is uh uh a purpose, because uh God has has this uh anointing and this grace upon your life. So even though we start off uh fumbling around and journeying, uh but we learn and grow. So those who uh have the gift of leadership over time God will raise them. And we know many pastors sitting on various boards, you know, and leading initiatives at a higher level, uh, contributing uh resources, pastoral insights. I think God bless them, right? Because God has raised them up, God has given them the gift of leadership uh and have raised them for that purpose. Right? So there are also teachers, those who uh have a strong sense of the calling to teach, and uh and God will raise them up, you know, whether they end up in a seminary, that could be an option, or even teaching in the church, something that uh will bless the people, will feed them well. Then we have pastoral care, those who have tremendous capacity for people. Uh usually they will upgrade, they go to supplement. Uh, what they study in seminary, uh they will probably double up a counseling degree or some kind of uh counseling resources that will open up ways of helping people, right? Pastoral care. So all these three areas are important in the life of the church. And and I believe uh God gives graces from different of these areas. So I find uh personally, even though I focus on all three areas and I have room to go in everything, but I find I'm particularly drawn to teaching and I enjoy imparting and sharing from God's word. And I I like to share insights from scripture in in such a way that yeah I find it's life-giving for me. So so this is a journey. So I find that my own uh personal journey in God, uh while not neglecting the other areas like leadership and pastoral care, I find that uh it's life-giving for me. When I have time to uh do focus reading, I can have time to do research and gain insights through reading and reflection. So uh so I draw strength for that and I grow in that area. So I've my calling, uh even though it's in pastoral ministry, yet there's a specific calling I find that God is drawing me to. And the thing about our calling or something that God has placed in us, certain ability, certain gifts, is that it goes beyond our so-called retirement. Right? So uh, I mean in the church context, there are those who pastors who have retired but they continue to uh counsel people, perhaps people still go to them. There are people who uh who have retired but they have gone on to teaching in seminaries. There are people, uh pastors who have retired, but they have gone on to be involved in uh leadership arena, leading in boards and bringing leadership insights in those areas. So I'm just sharing uh in broad suit my own journey that I find it's life-giving when I'm able to grow in the area that God's gifts and God's grace is at work in my life, right, without neglecting the other areas. So I'd like us to consider two questions. And do these are key questions as we think about how we can take our stand to serve God in his mission today. And the first question is the most important, right? And the first question is this do I identify and embrace God's grand story of salvation revealed in scripture as the framing device for my life? Because God is at work today, and he is drawing man to himself, and we we need to see how God is working in the world today. We need to be a part of God's mission, God's salvation story in our lives. And I believe that this is not just reserved for the pastors, but especially for those of us who are in the marketplace. Uh, there's a great need for kingdom workers there to be conscious that they are first and foremost, they are uh people of the kingdom. They are they are working, yes, but they are Christians. So they are called to live out their faith uh with a sense of purpose, with a sense of I'm a child of God in a circular world. So that frame of reference have has to be present in the marketplace. Otherwise, we are just getting by, we're just like uh Mr. Tom or Mr. Harry. You know, we're just getting by on the rat on the uh on the treadmill on the red race, but we are not embracing God's mission. But if we are going to work each day, reminding ourselves I'm a child of God, I'm I I have God's story with me, the story of salvation, and I'm here for a purpose, you know, uh to extend God's kingdom in the world, to be a light to someone who needs help. Right? Imagine if many, many people in the marketplace adopt this understanding, I think we'll be the most effective in living out our purpose for God in the world today. So the first question do I identify and embrace God's grand story of salvation revealed in scripture as the framing device for my life? Secondly, in light of God's larger purpose, what has he placed in your hands? What has he placed in my hands? What are some of my natural inclinations, passions, and gifts? What are something what is something that we can continue to do even when we retire? What are we passionate about? Is it about developing leaders? Is it about uh developing something? Is it about uh caring for the needy? So all these are things that we can pursue well beyond our career, when our career ends. It will also help us that uh even after we retire, we do not fully retire because we are still living out God's purpose in our lives, right? His kingdom, his story, it's still working out in our lives. It's not confined to a job or a role. So I pray that you will bring these two questions to God, soak them in prayer. I believe that with persistence and time set aside to wait on God and in seeking Him, we will walk more fully in His purpose for our lives. Very quickly, I just want to move on to the second implication, which is this we need to fast and pray to rely on God's power and provision. We need to fast and pray to rely on God's power and provision. Just as how the returnees in taking the dangerous journey on the road from uh to Jerusalem turn to God to seek a safe journey. There's a time and place for all of us to gather and to pray when we face times of fear, uncertainty, and the onslaught of evil. As we humble ourselves before God, we will receive his power and provision. He works on our behalf and fights for us. I like to say that the need to spend time in prayer is an act of humbling ourselves before God. Each time we take time to pray, we are saying that God, I'm humbling myself before you. Each time we fail to pray, we are saying that God, I can manage my life without you. In some way, we are saying that we are able to do it. You know, we don't rely on God enough. But each time we bow our heads in prayer, each time we close our eyes, as we begin the day, we commit ourselves to God, we humble ourselves, we are saying, God, I need you in my life. So, how is your prayer life before God? Is prayer part of your daily rhythm or routine? Or do you pray only when uh I mean can fill in the blanks, something happened, or there's a need arises, there's a crisis. So, what if prayer is the primary indicator or the spiritual barometer of our relationship with God? You know, what if uh it's not wrong in some way when when people say that uh the spiritual barometer of the church is uh the prayer meetings, right? There's some truth in that, right? Though it's not totally true because there are other aspects of church life, but there's it's indicative in some sense of our spirituality. How much do we desire to pray? How desirous are we in seeking God's presence? One of the struggles I face as a pastor is that each day I have so many things to do, and being quite a task person, uh I realize that each day I begin myself on the hamster's wheel, and things that I need to do, I'll get it done. Right? That often I find that I have no time to uh for focus prayer um enough. No time for focused prayer enough. But what if I choose to reverse it? It's because I have so many things to do that I have to pray first. This is what I think Martin Luther said, because there are so many things that I need to do, I better spend four hours on my knees in prayer. So it's because I have so many things to do that I dare not begin the day without humbling myself before God. I need God's strength to face the day. I need his power and provision to be manifested in my life. So I pray. I pray because prayer reminds me that I need to humble myself to God, before God, to trust God to work on my behalf rather than attempt to do all the work, then turn to God in prayer. So I pray that all of us, I know we live very busy, busy lives, and once we wake up, we have a rhythm that runs, right? Uh so will you build prayer into your daily rhythm? Because prayer is a way of saying, Lord, I humble myself before you, Lord. I um I come before you. I want to commit the day. I have so many things to do, but I want to begin the time in prayer.

SPEAKER_02 41:02

We pray that you've been ministered to by the Word of God today. If you'd like to know more about Ishman Christian Church, please visit our website at yccanglican.com. Have a blessed day.