Surprising. That less than 43,000 people returning from exile would possess such numbers in wealth - more than 7,000 slaves and more than 8,000 heads of domestic animals (horses, mules, camels and donkeys).
Surprising because we don't expect them to have taken all this with them when they went in to exile. Think about it - conquering king, subduing the Israelis, then asks them to bring all their wealth with them into their new land. Not happening - I don't see it.
The other alternative is, that they made this wealth during their time in exile. Which is pretty stupendous, if you think about it - alien land, they're not having much to begin with, but yet, when they leave, they leave with so much.
One way or the other, it is safe to assume, that the Israelis were never ever poor. Exile or no exile. So, can we draw a conclusion that God's people are never poor? I'm not sure. I think we'd be completely missing the whole point of the Good Book if we focus only on the wealth that these people had, and leave out the fact that the same God who punishes his children, also redeems them, and brings them back home - with plenty of material wealth... to have fun, enjoy and live life to the fullest. (Oh hey! Doesn't that last bit sound familiar?!)
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