Breaking Down the Roster

A pro sports league forms a new team through expansion. Once they select the new leaders of the franchise, this club starts from scratch when finding players. They do it through an expansion draft. That’s when existing teams allow these new franchises to pick from the bottom of their rosters. They also can sign any free agent that’s available. The result is a squad of leftovers, rejects, and has-beens. You’re basically talking about the Island of Misfit Toys. Here in Ezra 8:1-14, the author breaks down the roster of those returning during the second wave of settlers to Jerusalem. Ezra is looking everywhere for people with certain skills who have a heart to head back home. Let’s just say it’s slim pickings. Think of it as an expansion team.

It’s not for lack of government support. King Artaxerxes of Persia has not only given Ezra’s expedition his stamp of approval but also a blank check to cover any costs (Ez 7:11-26). While the pagan dictator’s backing is certainly appreciated, the Big E knows that it’s really God who is putting this crazy idea into the king’s head (Ez 7:27-28). Thanks to his amazing knowledge of Scripture (Ez 7:6, 10-11, 25), Ezra knows this is all part of God’s Big Story of redemption and the fulfillment of His loving promises. In other words, the LORD will win with any roster. As a matter of fact, He prefers to do it that way. Anybody can win with an all-star team. When a roster of rag tags and rejects come out on top, it’s clear that God is the one who gets it done (1Cor 26-31; 2Cor 4:7-10; 12:9-10).

Before they pack up for the Promised Land, Ezra breaks down his roster. “These are the heads of their fathers’ houses, and this is the genealogy of those who went up with me from Babylonia, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king” (v1). Family history is a REALLY big deal for these folks. You had to prove your heritage in order to make your claim of real estate back in Israel. “Genealogy” refers to their formal registration with a specific family. That’s similar to what Jesus’ adoptive dad Joseph had to do when he and his pregnant wife loaded up the donkey for the trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem (Lk 2:1-5).

As a priest himself, Ezra’s focus is on worshiping God at the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. After 70 years of exile, Zerubbabel and his crew cut the ribbon and reopened the house of the LORD (Ez 6:14-17). But another 59 years have gone by and there’s a need for more priests, worship leaders, and church staff. With an eye on temple worship, Ezra’s roster starts with the priestly families. There are two families of priests, Phinehas and Ithamar who make the trip (v2). Phinehas’ crew traces their line back to Aaron to his son Eleazar (Num 25:7). That includes our man Ezra. The others go back to his brother Ithamar (Ex 28:1). These are the only family lines of Aaron that remain. God removed Aaron’s other sons Nadab and Abihu for a major violation of the divine fire code (Lev 10:1-7). You’ll see Daniel listed as a member of Ithamar’s fam. Relax, it’s not THAT Daniel. The more famous Danny Boy was hauled off to Babylon in 605 BC. That’s almost 150 years before this posse got rolling.

The number of men listed here totals 1,496. When you include their wives and kids the number is probably between 7,000-8,000. That’s just a couple of people less than the first resettlement back in Ezra 2. When you add them all up, Zerubbabel’s crew numbered almost 50,000. That’s the difference between filling a football stadium and small basketball arena. So why the big discrepancy? First of all, you have to think that everybody wanted to be part of the first expedition. After 70 years of slavery under the thumb of Babylon, most Israelites were incredibly homesick. The other factor is that others simply didn’t want to go back. John MacArthur believes that many of God’s chosen people had chosen to take a rain check on returning. They were comfortable right where they were, thank you very much. Making a 1,000-mile trip through the desert to rebuild a nation? No, you go right ahead. Are we too comfortable where we are to take a big, bold step for Jesus? Am I too fat and happy in my La-Z-Boy to get off my blessed assurance and go on mission? Oops, I think I’ve just gone from preaching to meddling. 

Whatever the reasons, God has handed Ezra his roster. It may not look like any kind of dream team, but when the LORD is backing the squad anything can happen. Even an expansion team.