Ezra 8:16

There were two, but only two, priests... but of the family of Levi, outside the priesthood, there was absolutely not one. Ezra had every reason to be concerned, for it was a sad symptom of the state into which the people had fallen. Only the priests could enter the holy place of the house of their God. Only the Levites served as the appointed ministers in everything connected with its service. Yet when the call went out that they could return and take up their privileges again, they were untouched and indifferent. They had found a home in the very place where their fathers had hung their harps on the willows and wept when they remembered Zion.

The lack of Levites grieved Ezra as he carefully reviewed the company that had gathered at the river that runs to Ahava. He had the means for the proper service of God's house, but where were the ministers? He found none of the sons of Levi, and he would take no part in disorder in divine things. So in this difficulty he sent for chiefs and men of understanding and gave them a charge to a district where Levites were living.

He therefore took steps to reach their consciences, so that they might still join him in his mission to Jerusalem. To this end he sent for some of their chief men, among them Joiarib and Elnathan, "men of understanding." In times of decay and corruption, it is good for the people of God when some men of understanding still remain. Through such men God keeps His saints from sinking even deeper, and keeps alive whatever faith and hope may remain.

Ezra was not content to go to Jerusalem without Levites. So he called for several leaders among the Jews and told them to speak to Iddo, the chief man at the place Casiphia. That must have been a place where Levites and Nethinim had gathered. They were to tell him that Levites and Nethinim were needed for the service of the house of God at Jerusalem.

God gave effect to his desire, and nearly forty Levites answered the call, along with more than two hundred Nethinim. Their service was lowly, but to their honour every one of them was named.

Of the Lord Jesus it is said — or rather, speaking in spirit, He Himself said — "Zeal for your house will consume me" (Psalm 69:9; John 2:17). This was because the glory of the Father was always His supreme object. God's name and God's honour were always the delight of His soul. And Ezra too, in his measure, desired the Lord's honour in His house, and was therefore in fellowship with the heart of God Himself. This was the secret of his earnestness in seeking to get ministers for the house of our God.

How sad this lack of Levites was! The main concern of the people was the temple of God at Jerusalem. Of all people, the Levites should have been the most eager to return, for temple service was their proper work. Were they content to settle down in Babylon, concerned only for their own comfort in the middle of a world at enmity with God? Let us not be like them. Let us put God's interests first and be willing to work for the blessing of His present house, the Church of God.