After the first chapter of Ezra set the scene for the return of God’s people to Jerusalem from Babylon through the decree of the Persian king Cyrus, Ezra 2:1-70 fills in the names of the 42,000 who made the journey and came back from exile. While some may think that not much can be learned from a whole chapter of names, the very record of these names is significant in itself. These people who returned from exile were heads and members of families and will forever be rememberd for being the ‘ones that returned’. Their intention in going back was to worship God and proclaim Him to the surrounding nations. God’s people today have a similar aim. We are His missionary people, so that His name might be known all over the world.