God's Work in Individuals- Ezra 2

Exiles returning to the Land, a second exodus

I. The Individuals Returning- Ezra 2:1-2

Ezra 2:1–2 NIV

Now these are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken captive to Babylon (they returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to their own town, in company with Zerubbabel, Joshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum and Baanah): The list of the men of the people of Israel:

II. The Importance of Returning- Ezra 2:68

Ezra 2:68 NIV

When they arrived at the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God on its site.

III. The Exclusion of the Returners- Ezra 2:62-63

Ezra 2:62–63 NIV

These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. The governor ordered them not to eat any of the most sacred food until there was a priest ministering with the Urim and Thummim.