And This Is The Number of Them
Submitted by Ted Mock
June 4, 2025
Ezr 1:1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
I had a long “to do list” today, much of it had to do with budgeting and record keeping. I had just returned the day before from a trip to Texas and had to turn in receipts to be reimbursed for the flight, meals, and rental car. I needed to catch up on our personal finances. In addition, I had been tasked to help with working on the finances for the Children’s Homes. None of which was what I wanted to do my first day back home.
What a joy it was to start my day, not with my list, but with my daily Bible reading. I don’t have a fancy reading schedule or plan; I just start in Genesis and read through Revelation and repeat again. This morning my bookmark where I left off was in Ezra. It was not by my design, but it was not by accident or chance.
If you are familiar with the book, you will remember that it was written by Ezra, who was not only a scribe but a leader of the return of the Babylonian captivity to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. This return fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah 25:12 and 29:10.
In II Chronicles 36:22, Cyrus is even named as the king who would order the return to Jerusalem. You may also recall that Ezra was an accountant who kept meticulous list of who went and what they took with them, down to the smallest details.
In verse nine of the first chapter we see the phrase, “And this is the number of them.” That even sounds like an accountant.
As I faced my day of accounting and record keeping, this book was an encouragement to me. It reminds me that God keeps good books. In Revelation 21:12, the Bible says that lost men will be judged by those things written in those books, especially the Book of Life.
Our Lord said in Mark 9:41, that He is keeping account of every small service we do for Him. Even down to a cup of water, given in His name, will be rewarded. God keeps good books.
Which set of books will you be judged by?
Consider – If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.
