In reading the register of names in this chapter we are reminded that the children of God in New Testament times do not depend on an earthly registry, for they are a heavenly people and their names are written in heaven, having from their hearts confessed the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. Furthermore they have His promise in Rev. 3:5, “He that overcometh,... I will not blot out his name out of the book of life.” However, we are told in 1 Peter 3:15 to “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”
Then there are two interesting classes mentioned in this chapter — the Nethinim, and “the children of Solomon’s servants.” The former would seem to have been descendants of the Gibeonites who deceived Israel in the days of Joshua, but who were made slaves; or they may have been descendants of the Midianites taken captive by Israel (Numbers 31), some of whom were given to the Levites. The latter may have been the Amorites who had been left in the land and whom Solomon had made landservants. Both being strangers they had no title to Israel’s blessings, but like Rahab saw that it was a thing of value to be associated with God and His people; through grace they had returned, of their own desire, their hearts touched in being counted among those who could aid in building the house of the Lord at Jerusalem. They are a type of us as believers now who being Gentiles had no claim on God’s mercies (Eph. 2:11-21) but have a place now through that blessed One to whom both Joshua and Solomon pointed.
Then in verse 68 we are told that some of the chief of the fathers, “when they came to the house of the Lord which is at Jerusalem,” offered freely. The Spirit of God credits them with coming to the house of God when it really was in ruins, showing how God honored their faith in coming to the place where it had been, and where it was to be rebuilt.
The number of those who returned at this time was 42,360, and they dwelt in all Israel and their cities. We are not told how long it took them to make the journey across the desert, but a later company took four months. There was nothing of that glory which in an earlier day marked their exodus out of Egypt — no cloudy pillar, no rod of power to do its wonders, no fresh supplies from heaven each day. But there was energy of faith on the journey, and their spirits were awake to the presence of God, His mind, His glory, and His sufficiency for them. And we may be encouraged as well as instructed by these captives for while the ancient glory and strength are not seen among them, yet there was more energy and light, and a deeper exercise of spirit in the returned from Babylon, than in the redeemed from Egypt.
ML 03/08/1959