2. Who was Ezra, and how was he blessed?

² For example, consider the priest Ezra. Even before he returned to his homeland, he had zealously worked for the interests of pure worship in Jerusalem. (Ezra 7:6, 10) Ezra was richly blessed for that. Jehovah God moved the heart of the Persian king to grant Ezra the privilege of leading a second company of returning exiles to Jerusalem. Furthermore, the king gave them a large contribution of gold and silver “to beautify the house of Jehovah.”—Ezra 7:21-27.

Blessings and Responsibilities

5. What rich blessings came to the inhabitants of Judah in the days of Ezra?

⁵ The group of about 6,000 exiles returning with Ezra brought contributions of gold and silver for Jehovah’s temple. These amounted to some 35 million dollars at current rates. This was about seven times more gold and silver than the first exiles had managed to bring. How thankful to Jehovah the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah must have been to receive all this human and material support! But rich blessings from God also bring responsibility.—Luke 12:48.