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Ezra 2:64-67, The whole company numbered 42,360, besides their 7,337 male and female slaves; and they also had 200 male and female singers. They had 736 horses, 245 mules,  435 camels and 6,720 donkeys.

The second chapter of Ezra is one we all might be tempted to skip over.  It’s a very specific list of the number of men from each village and family group who returned to settle in the land of Judah.  For each male who settled, you could estimate at least one female and several children.   The focus verses for today sum up the total: over 40,000 (and their families) plus over 7,000 slaves, 200 singers, plus the livestock they brought with them.

To God, each individual and each family has significance.  Each person represents a real family, with crying children, ornery teenagers, sick parents, and probably many other dynamics.  This move was a sacrifice.  They didn’t know what they were walking into, but they knew why they were walking into it.  

Sometimes God calls us into the unknown.  It requires faith and trust to step into that next thing. 

Let’s pray…Lord, I want to boldly step into whatever it is you call me to.  Help me make a decision to trust.  More of you, less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.