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Ezra 2:1-2 – Zerubbabel and Jeshua

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Ezra 2:1-2 – Zerubbabel and Jeshua

Today’s reading lists eleven leaders of the Jews returning to Jerusalem and Judah from the Babylonian Exile. While little is known concerning most of these men, two of them, Zerubbabel and Jeshua, will be key figures in the rebuilding of the Temple. (We should note that the Nehemiah and Mordecai listed here cannot be the same as the men of those names who appear in the books of Nehemiah and Esther, as those books cover later periods). Zerubbabel is a descendant of King David. His name means “offspring of Babylon” because he was born during the years of the Captivity. Because of the curse on Jehoiachin, Zerubbabel’s grandfather, pronounced in Jeremiah 22, Zerubbabel will never hold the office of king. Nevertheless, the LORD will call him His “signet ring” – His chosen symbol of His power – in Haggai 2:23. Zerubbabel stands in the honored line of ancestors of Jesus Christ (the curse on Jehoiachin being by-passed by the virgin conception. Jesus was not a bodily descendant of Jehoiachin, but, as the acknowledged heir of Joseph, had a legitimate claim to the throne of Israel).

Jeshua is a descendant of Aaron and will be the High Priest when Temple worship is re-established. Like Zerubbabel, Jeshua is highly favored by the LORD. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah, who ministered in Jeshua’s lifetime, praise him as a great servant of the LORD. In a vision recorded in Zechariah 3, the Angel of the LORD – the pre-incarnate Christ – appears alongside of Jeshua to protect him from Satan and clothe him in clean vestments representing Christ’s perfect righteousness. This is a picture of salvation. All who trust in Christ are clothed in His perfect righteousness, and therefore are able to stand in God’s holy presence, despite whatever accusations Satan may bring against them.

Questions

  1. Who was Zerubbabel?
  2. Who was Jeshua?
  3. What do Jeshua’s clean clothes represent?

Prayer Points

  1. Give thanks for godly examples from the past.
  2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
  3. Pray for family matters.