The returnees arrive in Jerusalem
64 The whole company numbered 42,360, 65 besides their 7,337 menservants and maidservants; and they also had 200 men and women singers. 66 They had 736 horses, 245 mules, 67435 camels and 6,720 donkeys.
68 When they arrived at the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God on its site. 69 According to their ability they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 drachmas of gold, 5,000 minas of silver and 100 priestly garments.
70 The priests, the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers and the temple servants settled in their own towns, along with some of the other people, and the rest of the Israelites settled in their towns.
The return of about 50,000 people was undoubtedly much smaller than the total killed or deported by the Assyrians and Babylonians. Yet it was a good start toward rebuilding Judah. The previous list of the returnees is not a complete accounting of all the returnees since it totals considerably less than 42,000. The comparatively small number of animals suggests that the Israelites were no longer a predominantly agricultural people during the captivity. It may also indicate the relatively low economic status of those who were willing to return.
The closing verses of the chapter again emphasize the grace of God. By his grace the people were established in the towns of their homeland. In grateful response they gave freewill offerings according to their ability. Rather than feeling that they were doing God a favor by leaving their Babylonian homes, the people recognized what a privilege it was to participate in the rebuilding of God’s temple. Grateful hearts produced generous offerings.
Our offerings as New Testament believers are to be based on the same principle (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8:8-15). The words of Saint Paul apply to believers of all times: “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).