THESE verses contain the way Ezra prepared for the safe transport of the treasure placed in his charge for the use of the temple when the company eventually reached Jerusalem, where the whole of the treasure could be handed over into the care of the temple.

The treasure was considerable. The total amount is itemised by Ezra in verses 26 to 27. The treasure consisted of silver and silver items, together gold and with golden items. And articles of bronze which were as valuable as the gold.

It is difficult for us now to estimate the total value of all this treasure in the calculations of that time, but it is plain that the amount was enormous. What this teaches us is the power and willingness of God to provide the needs of his people and for the temple, that is his work and what he purposes to do in blessing for his church. I makes clear that when God revives his church, then he provides lavishly for the needs required, and also how he is able to move both the godly and the ungodly to give for the provision of his church in times of his reviving grace. Ezra names the groups of people whom God moved to give. There was the unbelieving king of Babylon. There was his advisers and officials. There was also a large company of Israelites who also gave liberally.

God's power and authority encompasses all the authorities. He is able to move his people to give; and he is able to move even the ungodly to fulfil his will. In this modern age the omnipotence of God, and his sovereignty over all mankind, is forgotten if not even denied, if not in word but in faith and practice.

Then let us note the care of Ezra to see the safety of all this treasure during the journey. Ezra choose out of the company making the journey, suitable people to take care of the treasure. These were leading priests, together Sherebiah, Hashabiah and ten of their brother. I would suggest that these brothers would have been temple servants. Ezra trusted God to provide protection for the journey, but it was not denial of faith to make provision for the safety of the treasure by placing it into the hands of the right people for its safety. The truth is that faith does not absolve God's people from taking wise care and precautions in any action for God.

A simple illustration of this principle is in the engagement of preaching. There are times when God provides special grace in giving the preacher a message, which requires little or no preparation. However all faithful preachers know that they can put themselves in the hands of God to provided for each sermon, but also know that this is not an excuse for thinking that the hard work of preparation need not be bothered with. Preparation is essential, but in the doing of it we depend of God in all its stages.

We see this preparation in Ezra in the next verses. In verse 29 Ezra spoke to the people he had chosen, under the guidance of God, to be the ones to guard the treasure throughout the Journey.

In doing this he made clear to these chosen people the sacredness and importance of the role they were being charged with. Ezra told them that they, and the all the treasure, was consecrated to the Lord. He enforces this truth by saying that all the silver and the gold were a freewill offering to God, so they must be guarded carefully so that the treasure would eventually reach its destination in the newly built temple in Jerusalem.

These chosen people were consecrated to take care of the treasure, and any failure in such care which resulted in any of the treasure being lost, would be a terrible sin against the Lord. They were assured by being consecrated that God's power was for them as long as they did their part in looking after the treasure.

The whole meaning and purpose of consecration was that the treasure should reach its destination so that it would be used for the purpose that it had been consecrated for. This meant that the treasure could not be used for any other means without serious sin being committed. Such was the importance of the consecration.