“I assembled the exiles at the Ahava Canal, and we camped there for three days while I went over the lists of the people and the priests who had arrived. I found that not one Levite had volunteered to come along. So I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, who were leaders of the people. I also sent for Joiarib and Elnathan, who were men of discernment. I sent them to Iddo, the leader of the Levites at Casiphia, to ask him and his relatives and the Temple servants to send us ministers for the Temple of God at Jerusalem. Since the gracious hand of our God was on us, they sent us a man named Sherebiah, along with eighteen of his sons and brothers. He was a very astute man and a descendant of Mahli, who was a descendant of Levi son of Israel. They also sent Hashabiah, together with Jeshaiah from the descendants of Merari, and twenty of his sons and brothers, and 220 Temple servants. The Temple servants were assistants to the Levites—a group of Temple workers first instituted by King David and his officials. They were all listed by name.”
Ezra 8:15-20 NLT
There were large family units which came back with Ezra to implement a plan of reform and revival at Jerusalem. Yet, there were no Levites. The Levites were a subject of the Jewish people who sided with Moses during the initial rebellion of the Israelites at the base of Mt. Sinai. As such, they were given a special spiritual responsibility. It should also be noted that they have a bit of responsibility to play on that rebellion because Aaron, who crafted the golden calf, was a Levite. Nonetheless, they were important to raising up priests and maintaining the temple and the Jewish scriptures. Ezra knew that God’s hand was on their venture because of their relationship with these things. As such he Calle upon those at Jerusalem who were already established to share their knowledge and resources in training this new group to follow through with the task. As Christians, do we look to others and their established resources? Are we willing to admit when we might need help? We should be able to look beyond our own pride and be discerning about this need, whenever the benefit of our brothers and sisters in Christ can help us advance God’s kingdom. Conversely, we should be willing to go out to those who want to serve and bring to them the tools to advance the kingdom. I always wonder how many Christians who are more than happy to donate money to a mission across the world for people that aren’t saved, would be willing to do the same for the struggling church down the street.
JOSH McGARY. COM 