Pointed Text - Ezra 2: 17

 

Of Bethzai, three hundred twenty-three.  

--- Pete’s pick

 

Following on last week’s text from Jeremiah, where the people went into exile at the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, it is now 538 BCE and the people are returning to Jerusalem and towns throughout Judah. Chapter 2 of Ezra is a list of returnees. Our pointed text is part of the list that numbers the descendants of lay people (separate lists of priests and Levites) who are listed by family ancestral names or their town of origin.

 

·         Do you know your family tree? What are some of the ancestral names?

·         Do you know the ‘town of origin’ of your forbearers?

·         Is genealogy important to you? Why or why not?

 

The list of family names in Ezra makes the point that these are returning exiles, and thus ‘proper members’ of the Israelite people. If you recall Nebuchadnezzar did not exile all the people of Jerusalem by sending them to Babylon. He left the poor and gave them the vineyards and land. When exiles returned, those who had stayed and tended the land, were not consider part of the people. Although sharing DNA, history and story, connection to the land, and the same God, the most recent experience of exile became the storyline and the marking of who is in and who is out.

 

·         Have you felt like an outsider? Excluded from family circles?

·         Where do you belong? What is your tribe (identity)?

·         What history and story defines you?

Have you felt like an outsider in a family community/church?

 

One’s genealogy can be an interesting study. Research can lead to surprises in family history, the characters in the family tree, and sometimes leave more questions than answers. Recently DNA testing has allowed people to trace their backgrounds to specific peoples and areas. Learning one’s history can open eyes and hearts to receiving people as people.

 

·         Do you see people as people? Are there groups that you avoid? Belittle? Embrace?

·         What actions can you take as an individual, or as a church community, to be inclusive?

·         How can faith community be family?

 

 

 

At the beginning of the week, I will post a devotion on a pointed text from scripture. I will include commentary and questions for reflection. Answers and other questions and comments can be sent to me at halifaxlutherchurch@gmail.com ,put in the comment section of this blog, or on FB where the link to this devotion was shared. Fridays I will share the messages (conversation) received via the church email list.