Day 132: Ezra 1, 2 and 3

All their neighbors assisted them with articles of silver and gold. (Ezra 1:6)

Ezra records for us the return from exile (I know – it seems like we just got here!). These are newer writings than those found in Deuteronomy; remember that these texts reached their finished form probably in the late sixth century BC. The Deuteronomic History (Joshua through 2 Kings) was compiled for an audience that had just been exiled to Babylon. These writings are for their children and grandchildren who have just come home from exile.

When we read the account of Moses on the Plains of Moab, giving his farewell address just before the Israelites crossed over into the Promised Land, we asked the question: How would a Jewish expatriate, waiting for the expedition back to Jerusalem, read the story of Moses and the Exodus?

Here we are again. Would the people of Judah receiving gifts from their neighbors see the connection with the Exodus story? The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold (Exodus 12:35). Just as the Israelis plundered the Egyptians, now it seems their postexilic return to Jerusalem was financed by Persia.

Do you ever wonder if God has the resources to get you where you need to go?