Ezra 8:1-20
“Now these are the heads of their fathers’ households and the genealogical enrollment of those who went up with me from Babylon in the reign of King Artaxerxes:…” (1) Ezra made records of all who returned to Jerusalem naming all the leaders of households and their numbers (2-14). “Now I assembled them at the river that runs to Ahava, where we camped for three days; and when I paid close attention to the people and the priests, I did not find any Levites there.” (15) He then sent leaders to Casiphia to bring ministers for God’s house (17). “And as the good hand of our God was upon us, they brought us a man of insight from the sons of Mahli,……….Namely Sherebiah, and his sons and brothers, eighteen men.” (18a, c) When we seek God for restoration, we cannot afford to be reckless in our journey especially regarding those who accompany and work with us. Ezra was entrusted with God’s favor because God knew he would not abuse it, but in wisdom would assemble people of insight to assist him in doing God’s will. He wisely chose key men of spiritual insight and leadership to carefully carry out God’s plan. Consequently he added 20 key spiritual leaders and over 200 temple servants. To continue in God’s favor, we must carefully walk in wisdom.