Ezra 8:24 - Meaning and Application

Here we see the special care Ezra took with the treasure he carried for God’s sanctuary. First, he had already committed the whole matter to God, yet he also put it into the hands of the right men, whose duty was to guard it. Our prayers should always be joined with our efforts, and the care of Christ’s gospel, church, and ordinances should be trusted to faithful people as well, according to (Ti2 2:2).

After praying that God would protect all they had with them, Ezra showed special concern for the part that belonged to the house of God and was an offering to him. If we expect God, in his providence, to keep what belongs to us, then we should, by his grace, keep what belongs to him. Let God’s honor and interest be our concern, and then we may trust him with our lives and comforts.

Ezra gave the offerings of the house of God to twelve chief priests and twelve Levites, who were appointed to this duty (Ezr 8:24, Ezr 8:30). Since their office called them to care for the things of God, they were especially suited to handle these sacred gifts. Ezra explained why he handed these things to them in (Ezr 8:28): “You are holy to the Lord, and the vessels are holy also.” Who is better fit to care for holy things than holy people? Those who have the honor of the priesthood must also carry its trust and duty. This fits the prophet’s charge in (Isa 52:11), where God’s people and ministers are told, “Be clean, you who carry the vessels of the Lord.”

Ezra also handled this trust with great care. He weighed out the silver, gold, and vessels to them (Ezr 8:25), because he expected the same amount back by weight. In any trust, especially a sacred one, we should be exact and clear with one another. In Zerubbabel’s time, the vessels were delivered by number, but here they were delivered by weight, so that nothing would be lost and any missing item would be easily seen. This reminds us that those entrusted with holy things, as stewards of God’s mysteries, must remember both when they receive their charge and when they give it back, that they will soon have to give a full account. That should make them faithful, so they can one day give their account with joy.

Ezra also charged them to watch over these treasures carefully (Ezr 8:29): “Keep them safe, so they are not lost, stolen, or mixed with the other articles. Keep them together, keep them separate, and keep them secure until you weigh them in the temple before the leaders there.” This showed how important it was for them to be careful and faithful, and also how honorable it would be to be found faithful. In the same way, when Paul charges Timothy with the gospel treasure, he tells him to keep it until the appearing of Jesus Christ, when he must give an account of his trust, and then his faithfulness will be his crown.