“These are the family heads and those registered with them who came up with me from Babylon during the reign of King Artaxerxes…
…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 8:1, 15-20)
It’s interesting that no Levites volunteered to come on the journey back to Jerusalem. We know they were assigned some of the more menial tasks of caring for Temple. And in exile, there was no Temple to care for. So it stands to reason they found other ways to make a living and spent their time. Then when their descendants were offered an opportunity to serve, there was no draw for them.
That feels unfortunate to me. A whole people group losing the opportunity, then passion, to serve in their unique way. I’m glad the caravan of exiles eventually found some Levites to join.
It makes me curious their reaction: did they come willingly? Begrudgingly? It’s no small thing to leave the only home you’ve ever known to take up a service you likely have only heard about.
Some of the descriptions of the men in this section struck me as well:
Leaders of the people
Men of learning
Those descriptions in the Hebrew translation are compelling: Chief, discerning, explain, carefully consider, of prudence and insight. All of which are wonderful, necessary qualities in leading a group of people.
But I just love how the group didn’t move forward without the temple servants. And I’m so thankful the Ultimate Leader came not to be served but to serve.
In whatever capacity we find ourselves, let’s embrace the menial. The thankless and seemingly mundane.
We are never more like our Savior than then.