Read Ezra 8:1-36

Families returned to Jerusalem together. The ones who chose to follow God in the journey are included in God’s eternal Word.

God rewards faithfulness.

The group was about 5,000 people, compared with the 50,000 who traveled in the first group that rebuilt the temple. The Levites taught Scripture and led the temple services. Ezra and the rest of the group fasted and prayed for a safe journey. They didn’t ask for a military escort from the king like Nehemiah did. They carried gold and silver that would be worth millions of dollars today. Nine hundred miles was a long distance with many threats and dangers along the way. God delivered them from danger. They were grateful and ready to offer sacrifices to God.

The purpose of a family is to follow God together.

The purpose of a church staff team and leadership is to train people to grow in their faith. The foundational aspects of this story continue today. The grace and favor of God were evident then and are in our story now.