EZRA - Chapter 2 - THE EZRA COMPANY
THE EZRA COMPANY – The Remnant of the Remnant
Chapter 2
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
October 20, 2015, the Year of Our Lord
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Except for the Lord and the power of the Holy Spirit, this chapter would appear uninviting. I felt the Lord spoke to me that the Ezra Company is a type of the remnant of the remnant of the church in the year 2015.
The Ezra Company is a monument to God’s care and destiny for Israel and for God’s care and purpose for His Church. In the Lord’s promise to restore Israel, these remnants were living portions of Israel, roots and all. Every priest and member must have his credentials, and be able to prove the incorruptible seed that was in him. Nearly 100 years later Nehemiah made this catalog his checklist for the regrouped community (Neh. 7: 5-73).
The importance of the family records was two-fold: for settling claims to property and for ensuring that the restored community had an unbroken descent from the original Israel. But it was not pressed beyond this point: the unsuccessful claimants were not sent back, but evidently given provisionally the same standing as the circumcised foreigners (2: 43-54). These 652 could not show their Father’s house and their seed.
Christian we are born again from incorruptible seed. The Israelites returning to Jerusalem had to be of incorruptible seed to bring forth the Messiah.
Jesus had to be born of incorruptible seed.
1 Peter 1:23: “Having born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible by the word of God, which lives and abides forever.”
By name the leaders, lay Israelites, priests, Levites, Nethinims (Temple servants), descendants of Solomon’s servants, names not found, and the totals are carefully chronicled.
Each family name in each division has a meaning. That meaning and anointing has a unique and particular assignment in the Lord’s divine purposes to rebuild the temple. Just as each one of us is uniquely positioned in the Kingdom of God.
As I have stated repeatedly, I believe there is a “choosing”, “transition” and “re-positioning” in the remnant of the remnant. Kim Clement posted a message today describing what is happening in the Spirit as “transmutation”. I think that word pretty much sums it up. “The act of a state of being changed into another form.” The Lord is shaking everything that can be shaken.
Many of the Jews stayed in Babylon, being comfortably settled there, running thriving businesses which they chose not to leave. When a “choosing”, “transition” or “transmutation: of the Lord is happening, many make their choice to say “NO”.
Verse 1 identifies these as the sons of the Persian province of Judah. “These came again to Jerusalem and Judah, “every one unto his city” (local church).
I have been calling in the angels of those who the Lord has called to Eastgate Church. We only want those whom the Lord has called and positioned in their calling within each ministry. Every one to his abode and dwelling place in God (Jn. 14: 1-23).
Eleven of the twelve leaders (the number of government) are listed in verse 2. The twelfth man, Nahamani, is named in Nehemiah 7:7. Nahamani means “He comforted me.”
Because I know you would be bored if we covered each one of these names, I am only going to teach about the two leaders: Zerubbabel and Jeshua (Joshua).
Zerubbabel was a Babylonia Jew. After the exile, He functioned as the governor of Jerusalem. He was the active political leader in Jerusalem under aegus of Tattenai, the Persian military governor of Judea.
Joshua (or Jeshua) was the high priest who served as the principal religious figure.
Zerubbabel is a type of the Lord Jesus Christ. The brethren (Heb. 2: 6-13) of the Lord are also seen here.
- Zerubbabel was a servant and a signet (seal) (Hag. 2:23). “For I have chosen thee, says the Lord.”
- Zerubbabel shall bring forth the headstone. (Zech. 4:7)
- Zerubbabel has laid the foundation of the house and will finish it by his hands. (Zech 4:9; Heb. 12: 1-2).
- Zerubbabel has the plummet in his hand with the seven lamps (the seven spirits of God), the eyes of the Lord. (Zech 4:10; Isa. 11; Rev. 4-5).
The Hebrew word for “Jeshua” is “Yeshua” and means “Jehovah is deliverance, Jehovah is help, Jehovah is salvation, Jah is freedom, safety is of Jehovah, abundance of Jehovah; Jah makes rich. Abundance of Jehovah; Jah is Savior, whom Jehovah makes triumphant, Jehovah is the victory, Jah makes rich.”
Jeshua, the high priest is a type of the Lord Jesus. His full brothers of the Melchizedek order (royal priesthood, Zadok priesthood, the faithful priesthood) are also seen here.
Zerubbabel reveals the King principle and Jeshua the Priest principle; thus a King-Priest ministry builds the house.
- Jeshua had sons and brethren (Ezra 3:9)
- Jeshua caused the people to understand the Law. (Neh. 8:7).
- Jeshua has a change of garments. (Zech. 6:11)
- Jeshua has fellows who are known as “My Servant the Branch.” (Zech. 3:8).
- Jeshua is connected with the stone having seven eyes (Zech. 3:9).
- Jeshua is crowed with silver and gold. (Zech 6:11).
- Jeshua is the son of Josedech (“Jehovah is the righteous One”).
Ezra 2b-35 is the names of the Lay Israelites. Some had records of a recognized family or clan. Others knew their traditional home town. Then, as now, is not a time to be rootless or anonymous (no local fellowship). The names reveal principles about the nature of those who first return from Babylon. Each of these represents the variety of members of a local church. I do have the notes for each name, but won’t include in this posting.
Ezra 2: 36-39: “The priests---These numbers add up to 4, 289 (about a tenth of the pilgrim company which was a principle of God). Only four of David’s 24 courses or family groups of 1 Chron. 24 are mentioned.
(In David’s 24 courses, the house of Jeshua was of Jedaiah.)
1 Chron. 24:11: Sons of Jedaiah – 973 “praise thou Jah”
1 Chron. 23:14: Sons of Immer – 1052 “he has said”
1 Chron. 24:9: Sons of Pashur – 1247 “increasing of white”
1 Chron. 24:8: Sons of Harim -- 1018 “banned, flat-nosed”
These four families reveal four characteristics of the Melchizedek order of priestly ministry revealed in Ezekiel 1.
The principle of praise (Judah) - The eagle
The principle of the Word made flesh –The Lion (the roar) - 1 Chr. 24:9; 9:12
The principle of righteous service – The Ox – Jer. 20:1; 21:1
The principle of sovereign grace --- The man (the creation) Neh. 11:12.
The Melchizedek order is the tithe unto the Lord, even His holiness (Isa. 6: 8-13; Lk. 17: 11-19; Lev. 27:32).
Ezra 2: 40-42: “The Levites --- These were a tiny minority. Negatively, note that few want to be servants (the Deacon principle) in the Day of Restoration. Positively, those who do are given additional blessings, for all the tithe went to the Levites. There were 381 Levites, less than one tenth of the number of priests.
Ezra 2: 43-54: - The Nethinims or Temple Servants. The Hebrew word is “Nathuwn from “Nathan” and means one given; the devoted, those given, the consecrated, the offered, the dedicated, gift.”
Caleb would fit into this Nathinim principle, for he assisted Joshua, who ministered unto Moses. Caleb was the servant of the servant of the servant.
David and officials had founded this order of assistants to the Levites (Ezra 8:20). The presence of some foreign names in the list indicates that some of these groups came into Israel form the conquests of David. Today, men from all nations (denominations) are given over unto the service of the House of the Lord.
There are a total of 35 names (5 x 7) = grace and perfection.
The Nethinims are mentioned eighteen times in the Bible.
Ezra 2: 55-58: Descendants of Solomon’s Servants. This group is closely linked with the Nethinims. The only other mention of this community is in the parallel passage of Neh. 7:5 and 11:3.
Ezra 2: 59-60: “Unconfirmed Claims of Israelite Birth”. These could minister to the house but not to the Lord. These came forth from grace.
It is suggested by Kelly Varner that these unconfirmed claims were in three dimensions:
Outer court --- Sons of Delaiah --- “drawn of Jah.”
Holy Place --- Sons of Tobiah --- “goodness of Jehovah”
Most Holy Place – Sons of Nekoda --- “pierced, marked, selected, separated.”
Ezra 2: 61-63: “Unconfirmed Claims to the priesthood”. The fate that overtook Korah and his company when they tried to force their way into the Priesthood was a standing reminder to Israel, “that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron (the type of Jesus the High Priest), could come near to offer incense before the Lord.” (Num. 16:40).
“These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found (in Him). Therefore, they were polluted. They were removed from the Priesthood. The Tirshatha (Persian title for Governor – Neh. 8:9; 10:1) said unto them, that they should not eat the Most Holy Things, (this is the principle of the Feast of Tabernacles, the third Dimension, the Holy of Holies) until there stood up a priest with Urim (“lights”) and Thummim (“Perfections”) – Both are plural words.
The principle of the Urim and Thummim is one of the mysteries of the Word of God. There are seven references in all the Holy Scriptures.
All the principles relating to the Urim and Thummim are connected with the High Priestly ministry, the Breastplate and Ephod which parallel metaphorically with the Third dimension, the realm of maturity. This truth is connected with the Holy of Holies (Zion). It typifies the Melchisedec Priesthood truths.
All the principles relating to the Urim and Thummim are fulfilled in Jesus Christ, Who is Lights and Perfections. All judgment has been committed unto the Son. God now speaks to man through His Son. (Heb. 1: 1-3). We also know that the overcomer (Rev. 2:17; 3:21) is in the image of Jesus and ministers also by the Urim and Thummim. The One (Head and Body) who has the Urim and Thummim has all the answers.
The Greek Old Testament translates Urim as the manifestation and the truth.
One of the epithets of the objects in the breastplate of the High Priest is as an emblem of complete truth; Thummim: “completeness, prosperity; moral innocence; full integrity, perfection, simplicity, uprightness; to complete, accomplish, come to the end, come to the full, sum whole, wholeness, entireness.”
Jesus became the Urim and the Thummim. He is the Light of the world who was made perfect (Heb. 5: 8-9). Light precedes perfection. There is a High Priestly company of people who follow Him. They are becoming the Urim and the Thummim in the earth (Matt. 5:14 and Eph. 4:13). (Transmutation)
Ex. 28:30 --- The Urim and Thummim were in the Breastplate and upon the heart of the High Priest (Holy of Holies realm), who went into the Most Holy Place before the Lord.
Lev. 8:8- Moses put in the breastplate the Urim and Thummim.
Deut. 33:8 – The Urim and Thummim were with the Holy One (“Ish” – your man of loving-kindness, or gracious one”), who was the High Priest. Jesus is our Holy One.
1 Sam. 28:6 --- Saul; (the old order---a head and shoulders system) cannot partake of the lights, for he is blind. He will seek his direction from the witch.
Ezra 2:63--- The Tirshatha (Governor – Kingdom authority0 says that no one can eat the things (truths) which are Most Holy until a (One Man) priest stand up with Urim and Thummim (declaring the lights and the perfections of Holiness).
Neh. 7:65 ---This verse is an Amen to the one in Ezra. This double witness is a seal and surety of the principles given above. The references and Nehemiah are especially applicable in these days of restoration. (Transmutation)
The Urim and Thummim became one direct and supernatural manner in which to determine the mind and will of God for certain purposes and circumstances.
It is believed it was a white stone and a black stone place inside the pocket formed by the front and back pieces of the breastplate. The white stone represents yes and the black stone represents no. But there are examples of answers other than just yes and no.
The Priest had to stand before the Ark. Many feel that God answered in an audible voice in connection with the Urim and Thummim.
The unconfirmed claims to the priesthood – continued ---were also in three dimensions:
In the Outer Court the Melchizedek principle is hidden and latent. In the Holy Place, we are pricked and disciplined to bring forth. In the Most Holy Place we are bound to it as the prisoners of the Lord (His will)! Thus we see this presumption (the unconfirmed claims) in three stages (delusion). We must discern the counterfeit from those whom God has chosen, anointed and appointed versus those who appoint themselves through ambition.
Ezra 2:61: “And of Barzillai, who had taken a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and had assumed their name.”
Ezra 2: 64-70: The totals of the numbers. 42,360 is written as the total and again in Nehemiah 7:66. Yet if you add up the individual items, you get two different totals. Ezra 29, 818 – Nehemiah 31,089. Some have attempted to explain the missing thousands as members of the northern tribes, or as women and children. It could be copying errors.
The chief heads of the fathers offered freely for the House of God 61,000 drams of gold, 5,000 pounds of silver, and 100 priests’ garments.
So all dwelt in their cities (local church).
Chapter 3 is the principle of restoring the Brazen Altar in the Temple which is a type of the Cross.
Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries Church
Scripture from K.J.V. – I entered into the labors of Principles of Present Truth of Ezra by: Kelly Varner --- comments and conclusions are my own and not meant to reflect the views of Rev. Varner.