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The Book Of Ezra

by L M Grant

http://www.biblecentre.org

PREFACE

The first words of Ezra, whose name means help, are identical to those ending the boo! of " Chronicles, th#s emphasizing the contin#it$ of the histor$. %t was se&ent$ $ears after the capti&it$ that C$r#s made his decree that the temple at 'er#salem was to be reb#ilt.Ezra was a scribe who records the histor$ of the reb#ilding, tho#gh he was not among thefirst capti&es to ret#rn to 'er#salem. This ret#rn was led b$ (er#bbabel )ch *:"+, whosename means melted b$ ab$lon, and it was some $ears later that Ezra led anothergro#p )ch. -:+, d#ring the reign of Artaeres. %t was also d#ring this reign that

0ehemiah came to 'er#salem )0eh. ":*+. Ezra1s ministr$ was connected with the ho#seof 2od, while 0ehemiah1s acti&it$ was centered on the b#ilding of the wall.

C3APTER *

THE CAPTIVES OF JUDAH LIBEATED !""# $%$$&

4hen the 5edes and Persians defeated ab$lon, 6ari#s the 5ede was r#ler, and not #ntilC$r#s the Persian too! the throne was libert$ proclaimed to '#dah. This was 2od1s time,

as 3e had foretold b$ 'eremiah )'er. "7:*"+ and %saiah )%sa. 88:"9+. The proclamation ofC$r#s is definite and specific, that he was pers#aded that the ord 2od of hea&en hadcommanded him to b#ild a ho#se at 'er#salem. %t seems rather strange that a 2entile !ingwo#ld be so emphatic in th#s spea!ing for 2od, b#t it is recorded that 2od 3imself hadstirred #p the spirit of C$r#s )&.*+.

3e in&ited and enco#raged 2od1s people, the 'ews, to ret#rn to 'er#salem with the ob;ectof b#ilding 2od1s ho#se there. 0otice, he does not gi&e an$ honor to the idols of Persia, b#t sa$s of the 2od of %srael, 3e is 2od )&. <+. 3e also ga&e instr#ctions to neighborsof an$one who was concerned abo#t ta!ing this ;o#rne$ to 'er#salem, to help him withsil&er and gold, with goods and li&estoc!, besides the freewill offerings for the ho#se of

2od, which is in 'er#salem )&. 8+. This was not onl$ a matter of liberating sla&es, b#tenriching them. Th#s C$r#s was rightl$ representing a 2od of grace.

This proclamation had positi&e effect on the heads of the fathers1 ho#ses of '#dah anden;amin and on priests and e&ites, as well as others whose spirits 2od had mo&ed. =fco#rse, their n#mber was small compared to the n#mber who had been ta!en capti&e, b#t2od is pleased with e&er$ response of faith to 3is wor!ing.



People in the &icinit$ of those who p#rposed to go were willing to help them as C$r#shad directed, gi&ing them articles of sil&er and gold, goods and li&estoc! and precio#sthings, that is, things of special &al#e )&. +. This shows at least that those so eercised togo to 'er#salem had not inc#rred the contempt of the people among whom the$ li&ed.

5ore importantl$ still, >ing C$r#s had all the articles that 0eb#chadnezzar had ta!enfrom 'er#salem, bro#ght o#t from the temple of his idols, to send them bac! to theirrightf#l place. 3e !new that ab$lon1s idols were not God. The Persian treas#rer,5ithredath, co#nted these o#t to ?heshbazzar the prince of '#dah. The record of themwas faithf#ll$ !ept, <@ gold platters, *@@@ sil&er platters, " !ni&es, <@ gold basins,8*@sil&er basins, and *@@@ other articles. The total n#mber of gold and sil&er articles was7,8@@.?heshbazzar too! charge of all these, to bring them from ab$lon to 'er#salem )&&.B**+.

C3APTER "

LIST OF ETU'ED CAPTIVES !""# $%()&

This chapter shows the definite interest 2od had in e&er$ indi&id#al who ret#rned fromthe capti&it$, so that the n#mber from each cit$ is recorded, and the total n#mber. 4e arereminded in &erse * that it was 0eb#chadnezzar, !ing of ab$lon who had ta!en thesecapti&e. ab$lon means conf#sion, so that '#dah is pict#red as being capti&es to a stateof conf#sion, as is repeated in the histor$ of the professing ch#rch. %t is onl$ b$ the power and grace of 2od that an$ meas#re of reco&er$ can be accomplished. 0o f#llreco&er$ will be made in %srael #ntil the ord 3imself come in power and glor$, and

similarl$, there will be no f#ll reco&er$ of the ch#rch1s condition #ntil in the presence ofthe ord. et certain small meas#res of reco&er$ ha&e ta!en place from time to time b$the clear inter&ention of the ?pirit of 2od.

Derse " spea!s of leaders who came with (er#bbabel, the first 'esh#a, the high priest. The 0ehemiah mentioned here cannot be the 0ehemiah whose boo! follows Ezra, for he didnot come at first, nor with so large a compan$ )0eh. ":+.

From &erse < to &erse <7 the people of &ario#s cities are en#merated, then from &erse <to < priests are mentioned as being incl#ded in the n#mber of those ret#rning. e&itesthen are spo!en of in &erse 8@ and singers in &erses 8*B8". Derse 8< introd#ces the

0ethinim, whose total n#mber was <" )&.79+. The 0ethinim are referred to in Ezra 9:"@as ha&ing been appointed b$ 6a&id for the ser&ice of the e&ites, probabl$ 2ibeoniteswho had been recei&ed b$ 'osh#a )'osh. :"<+.

4e ha&e remar!ed that the 0ethinim were li!el$ 2ibeonites who had entered thecongregation at the time of 'osh#a, who told them, There shall none of $o# be freedfrom being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the ho#se of m$2od )'osh. :"<+. 4e do not read of an$ of them ref#sing this place of s#bmission to



%srael, and their willingness to ret#rn to '#dah indicates a remar!able allegiance to the2od of %srael, since the$ were 2entiles and had been awa$ from '#dah for -@ $ears.After so long an absence, not all of the 'ews were prepared to ret#rn to their own co#ntr$,so that the faith of their 2entile adherents shines o#t the more brightl$.

?=5E =F 43=5 T3ERE 4A? 6=T)&&. 7B<+

=n the other hand, there were some whocame from Tel 5elah, b#t co#ld not pro&e thatthe$ were reall$ %sraelites )&&. 7B@+. 6o the$ not remind #s of some toda$ who wo#ldli!e to be regarded as Christians, $et do not present a clear testimon$ that the$ are sa&ed%t is not told #s what was done concerning these peopleG b#t &erses *B< refer to sons ofthe priests who came, b#t their names were not fo#nd registered in the genealog$. %n thiscase, the go&ernor decreed that the$ sho#ld not be permitted to act as priests #ntil a priestwith rim and Th#mmim wo#ld prono#nce them fit for this ser&ice. The rim andTh#mmim )meaning lights and perfections+ were *" ;ewels set in the breastplate of ;#dgment )E. "9:<@G e&. 9:9+ attached to the ephod of the high priest. %t was #sed for

the discerning ;#dgment of 2od1s mind concerning an$ problems in %srael. The *" stonesspea! of the #nit$ of the tribes of %srael, indicating that all H#estions m#st be consideredfrom the &iewpoint of that #nit$ of all. #t since the *@ tribes had been separated from'#dah and en;amin, there is no mention of an$ priest ha&ing the rim and Th#mmimGconseH#entl$, proper discernment according to 2od was lac!ing. Act#all$, this will onl$ be restored when the ord 'es#s comes in power and glor$ to re#nite '#dah and %srael.3e is the 3igh Priest who has the rim and Th#mmim.

%t is important to appl$ these principles in the present da$. %n the professing ch#rch it has been the practice for man$ $ears to welcome an$one who claims to be a Christian toe&er$ Christian pri&ilege of fellowship, incl#ding the brea!ing of bread. 5an$ of these

were not sa&ed, and man$ pro&ed to be enemies of the cross of ChristG some den$ing thedeit$ of Christ and other basic doctrines of script#re. '#st as in the ret#rn from ab$lon,so when 2od brings 3is saints to realize the tr#th of 3is 4ord, there m#st be concern to!now that those who gather in fellowship with the saints are tr#l$ sa&ed b$ the grace of2od. %f there is an$ do#bt abo#t this matter, their being recei&ed to brea! bread sho#ld bedela$ed #ntil no do#bt remains.

%f some sho#ld protest that this is too rigid, there is a clear script#ral answer for this,4hate&er is not from faith is sin )Rom. *8:"<+. %f it is not faith that mo&es a person todesire to brea! bread, then it is sin. ?ho#ld we enco#rage an$ person to sin Therefore,it is onl$ proper care for so#ls that we sho#ld see! to ma!e s#re the$ are acting b$ faith inso serio#s a matter.

T=TA? =F PE=PE, %DE?T=C>, ETC. )&&. 8B-@+

The whole assembl$ totaled 8",<@, pl#s ser&ants and singers adding -,7<- to then#mber. This was onl$ a small percentage of '#dah and en;amin, b#t the ord too!



acco#nt of e&er$ one. Their li&estoc! n#mbered -< horses, "87 m#les and ,-"@don!e$s. As to the n#mber of horses alone, this was as nothing compared to ?olomon1s8@,@@@ stalls of horses )* >ings 8:"+. #t at least '#dah did ha&e a little strength)Compare Re&elation <:9+.

As to the mone$ necessar$ for reb#ilding, there were those of the heads of the fathers1ho#ses who offered freel$, according to their abilit$, so that the treas#r$ was benefited b$*,@@@ gold drachmas, 7@@@ minas of sil&er and *@@ priestl$ garments. The gold andsil&er too was nothing compared to the amo#nt that came to ?olomon in one $ear )* >i.*@:*8, *-+, b#t 2od records this beca#se of 3is appreciation of the faith of these gi&ers. The ord 'es#s said of 5ar$ of ethan$, ?he has done what she co#ld )5!. *8:9+.These also had done what the$ co#ld, and the ord &al#ed this. 4hat more co#ld beepected of an$one

0ot all of these who ret#rned to '#dah were engaged in reb#ilding the temple: for themost part the priests and e&ites, some of the people, the gate!eepers and 0ethinim,

dwelt in their cities. The temple wo#ld ha&e had little significance if there were noresidents in an$ of the cities of '#dah. Tho#gh the n#mbers in the cities wo#ld be small incomparison to their size before the capti&it$, $et each cit$ wo#ld be a testimon$ to therestoring grace of 2od. Toda$ also, each little assembl$ that 2od restores is a testimon$to 3is grace and faithf#lness, tho#gh s#ch testimonies are far from being an occasion foro#r own pride. 4hile we are than!f#l for 2od1s goodness, we are onl$ h#mbled b$ o#rown wea!ness.

C3APTER <

T3E ATAR A06 ?ACR%F%CE? RE?5E6 )&&. *B9+

Tho#gh the b#ilding of the temple did not begin #ntil the second month of the second$ear )&. 9+, the children of %srael gathered together as one man in the se&enth month ofthe $ear to 'er#salem, that is, the same $ear the$ ret#rned to '#dah. At least the$ co#ld b#ild the altar of 2od, which s$mbolized their relationship with 2od on the basis ofsacrifice. 4e too can ha&e no relationship with 2od apart from the sacrifice of Christ atCal&ar$. That sacrifice is therefore the basis of tr#e worship. 'esh#a the high priest, sonof 'ozada! and his brethren the priests, as well as (er#bbabel the go&ernor, son of?healtiel, and his brethren, lesser r#lers in '#dah, together ;oined in reb#ilding the altarwith the ob;ect of offering b#rnt offerings to the ord. The b#rnt offering, being the mostimportant of all the offerings, spea!s of the glor$ that 2od recei&es from the &al#e of thesacrifice of Christ, The$ were concerned too that the$ sho#ld do this consistentl$ withwhat was written $ears before b$ 5oses, the man of 2od.

%n spite of their fear of the opposition to the tr#e worship of 2od, the$ set the altar #ponits bases. The$ established their worship on the tr#e basis of the 4ord of 2od, not hidingthis from the e$e



This se&enth month too was the month of the Feast of Tabernacles, and the$ !ept thisaccording to the written law, offering dail$ b#rnt offerings. ?#rel$ belie&ers toda$ areenco#raged b$ this, e&en when depri&ed of the o#tward blessing of which the templespea!s, to do what the$ are able in gi&ing the ord 3is place of s#preme honor.

After this Feast of Tabernacles, the$ contin#ed to offer reg#lar b#rnt offerings andofferings for the 0ew 5oons and for all the appointed feasts of the ord. There werethose also who offered freewill offerings to the ord, offerings mo&ed b$ special eerciseof faith on the part of indi&id#als. 3ow good if we toda$ engage in something li!e thistooI

Derse reminds #s that the$ began these offerings from the first da$ of the se&enthmonth, tho#gh the fo#ndation of the temple had not $et been laid. #t in preparation for b#ilding, the$ ga&e mone$ to masons and carpenters, as well as food, drin! and oil to the people of ?idon and T$re, that the$ sho#ld bring cedar logs from ebanon to the sea, to be floated to 'oppa, from whence the$ wo#ld be transported to 'er#salem )&. -+. This was

according to the directi&e of C$r#s. This was certainl$ not on the scale that pre&ailed in?olomon1s b#ilding of the temple )* >i. 7:**B*8+, b#t the s#pplies were from the sameso#rce.

T3E RE%6%02 E2%0? )&&.9B*<+

Preparations and gathering of materials for the reb#ilding too! some length of time, sothat it was the second month of the second $ear before the b#ilding of the fo#ndation began )&.9+. (er#bbabel the go&ernor, 'esh#a the high priest with the other priests ande&ites too! the initiati&e to #nitedl$ begin the b#ilding.

4hen the fo#ndation was laid the people pa#sed to celebrate this glad occasion. 4e ma$rightl$ sa$ that, tho#gh e&er$thing was not $et accomplished, the basis of tr#th wasrecognized, which is a reminder of " Timoth$ ":*, 0e&ertheless the solid fo#ndation of2od stands. 4hen there has been depart#re from the tr#th and saints of 2od areeercised b$ 2od to ret#rn to 3im, itis of &ital enco#ragement to be reminded that 2od1ssolid fo#ndation stands. ?#rel$ it is this, and nothing less that we desireI Th#s it wasfitting that '#dah sho#ld re;oice when the fo#ndation was laid. Priests stood in theirapparel with tr#mpets and e&ites with c$mbals, to praise the ord )&. *@+. Their praiseand than!sgi&ing too was epressed in song, celebrating the goodness and merc$ of theord. The people responded also with a great sho#t of re;oicing )&. **+.

3owe&er, tho#gh man$ of the older priests and e&ites who had seen the first templewere than!f#l for this small meas#re of reco&er$, the$ wept in comparing the small sizeof this fo#ndation with that which the$ had !nown before. 6o we not toda$ ha&esomething of the same sorrow when we consider the first estate of the Ch#rch of 2odwhen seen as established thro#gh the wor! of the 3ol$ ?pirit in the apostles, and compareit with the smallness of an$ reco&er$ that has been seen since the fail#re and depart#re ofthe ch#rch generall$ #t the sho#t of ;o$ e&identl$ co#ntered the sorrow of weeping.



There ha&e been &ario#s meas#res of reco&er$ of the tr#th of 2od in the ch#rch, as in%srael, tho#gh it seems as time goes on, s#ch occasions ha&e become more feeble, and itwas so in %srael too. For it was not long after this ret#rn from capti&it$ and the ;o$ that'#dah eperienced, before their condition again deteriorated so sadl$ that b$ the end ofthe =ld Testament 5alachi records, not onl$ the fail#re, b#t the rebellion of priests

together with the people generall$. =nl$ a few then tr#l$ so#ght the ord, of whom weread, a boo! of remembrance was written before 3im for those who fear the ord andwho meditate on 3is name )5al. ":*+.

C3APTER 8

PRETE06E6 FR%E06?3%P A06 =PP=?%T%=0 )&&. *B7+

?atan is s#btle in the wa$ he attac!s a wor! of 2od. 3e appears to be friendl$, as is seen

in the wa$ the ad&ersaries of '#dah and en;amin came to (er#bbabel and other leadersof '#dah, offering to help them to b#ild the temple. The$ sa$ the$ ha&e been bro#ghtthere b$ the >ing of Ass$ria )which was tr#e+, and that the$ had sacrificed to the ordsince that time )&. "+.This ma$ ha&e some semblance of tr#th in it, b#t the$ were 2entileswho had come into the land and adopted some of %srael1s forms of worship, b#t we aretold, The$ feared the ord, $et ser&ed their own gods )" >i. *-:<<+.

(er#bbabel and 'esh#a discerned their tr#e character and told them firml$ that the$ co#ldnot accept their help, b#t the$ alone )'#dah and en;amin+ wo#ld do this wor! accordingto the decree of C$r#s, !ing of Persia )&. <+. elie&ers toda$ too m#st not accept the helpof #nbelie&ers )howe&er friendl$ the$ seem+ in b#ilding that which spea!s of the

reco&er$ of the tr#th of the Assembl$ of 2od.

Then the people of the land changed their tactics, showing that their offer of help in b#ilding was deceitf#l, for the$ did not want the temple reb#ilt at all. The$ tried todisco#rage the 'ews from their wor!, ca#sing all the tro#ble the$ co#ld and e&en hiringco#nselors with the ob;ect of fr#strating their labors. Their opposition contin#edthro#gho#t the reign of C$r#s #ntil 6ari#s !ing of Persia.

ETTER =F ACC?AT%=0 A2A%0?T '6A3 )&&. B*+

The friction was long contin#ed, for in&erse we read of these ad&ersaries writing a letter

to >ing Ahas#er#s, acc#sing the inhabitants of '#dah and 'er#salem, tho#gh nothing issaid abo#t the res#lts of their letter, #t in the da$s of Artaeres also, ishlam,5ithredath, Tabel and others wrote a letter to that c#rrent !ing of Persia )&.-+. %t seemsthis was in addition to the letter of Reh#m the commander and ?himshi the scribe, whoseletter is H#oted in &erses ** to *. The$ spea! of themsel&es as representati&es of an#mber of peoples who had been ta!en capti&e b$ =snapper and settled in the cities of?amaria )&&. B*@+.4hether the$ act#all$ represented those nations in writing as the$ did,ma$be &er$ H#estionable, b#t the$ wanted their letter to appear con&incing.



The$ first remind the Persian !ing that the 'ews now in 'er#salem had come #p fromPersia and were b#ilding what the$ call the rebellio#s and e&il cit$, finishing its wallsand repairing its fo#ndations )&. *"+. The$ did not inH#ire of Artaeres as to the reasonfor C$r#s sending the 'ews bac!, nor did Artaeres thin! of inH#iring into this himself.#t the$ write positi&el$ to the effect that if the cit$ was reb#ilt the inhabitants wo#ld not

pa$ ta, trib#te or c#stom to Persia )&. *<+. 4ere the$ reall$ concerned abo#t Persia=nl$ insofar as the$ co#ld benefit thro#gh Persia. This was li!e the Pharisees tellingPilate concerning the ord 'es#s, %f $o# let this 5an go, $o# are not Caesar1s friend )'n.*:*"+. The$ had no lo&e for Caesar, b#t #sed his name to frighten Pilate. #t thesead&ersaries of '#dah onl$ wanted Artaeres to s#rmise that the 'ews wo#ld not pa$trib#te to Persia. The$ s#ggest a mere pleasing platit#de to the !ing when the$ wrote thatit was not proper for them to see the !ings1s dishonor )&. *8+.

The$ as!ed the !ing for a search of there cords to find o#t that 'er#salem was a rebellio#scit$, ca#sing harm to !ings )of co#rse s#ch 2entile !ings as 0eb#chadnezzar+. %t was tr#ethat (ede!iah had rebelled against 0eb#chadnezzar after ha&ing sworn allegiance to him,

and for this reason 'er#salem was destro$ed. #t the$ did not as! for records of C$r#sha&ing sent the 'ews bac! to reb#ild the temple. %nstead the$ declare that if 'er#salemwas reb#ilt the !ing wo#ld lose his dominion on the west side of the Ri&er E#phrates )&.*+.

T3E >%021? A0?4ER )&&.*-B"8+

Artaeres replied to this letter,telling Reh#m, ?himshi and their companions that theirletter had beenclearl$ read to him, so the he ga&e command to search the records,

whichconfirmed the fact that 'er#salem had on occasion re&olted against 2entile!ingsand also that 'er#salem had had might$ !ings whocollected ta, trib#te and c#stom fromothers )&. "@+. ?ince this wastr#e, the !ing did not want to see 'er#salem re&i&e in s#ch awa$ as toreH#ire trib#te from others rather than to pa$ trib#te to Persia.

Therefore, he commanded that the 'ews beforced to cease their b#ilding #ntil a commandsho#ld be gi&en b$ him toallow it )&. "*+. 3is reason was simpl$ that he was th#sg#arding againstan$ damage the !ings might s#ffer )&. ""+. 3e o#ght to ha&e realizedthat an$ rebellion against Persia was etremel$#nli!el$, for the 'ews were red#ced sogreatl$ to a state of wea!ness thattheir former state wo#ld ne&er be reco&ered.

3a&ing this a#thorit$ from the !ing,these ad&ersaries went immediatel$ to 'er#salem and b$ force of armsstopped their wor!. Th#s the wor! of reb#ilding was discontin#ed #ntilthesecond $ear of 6ari#s !ing of Persia. This connects with &erse 7 of this chapter. Th#s?atan gained his ob;ect for the time,b#t 2od was not defeated.

C3APTER 7



*O+ ESUMED A'D OPPOSITIO' ESUMED !""# $%(&

The initiati&e for res#ming the wor! had come from the ord who mo&ed the prophets3aggai and (echariah to spea! in 3is name to the 'ews in '#dah and 'er#salem. 3aggai1s prophec$ is recorded in the boo! bearing his name, which begins, %n the second $ear of

>ing 6ari#s on the first da$ of the month, the word of the ord came to 3aggai the prophet, to (er#bbabel the son of ?healtiel, go&ernor of '#dah, and to 'osh#a, the son of'ehozada!, the high priest )3ag. *:*+.

The ord ignored the decree of Artaeres that the b#ilding m#st not ta!e place before hehad gi&en permission. 4hose word was to be obe$ed, that of Artaeres or that of theord The people were sa$ing, the time has not come, that the ord1s ho#se sho#ld be b#ilt )3ag. *:"+. 0o do#bt the$ wo#ld appeal to the fact that Artaeres had not gi&enthem permission. #t the ord as!s them, %s it time for $o# $o#rsel&es to dwell in $o#r paneled ho#ses, and this temple to be in r#ins )3ag. *:8+. 3aggai prophesiedconcerning the ho#se of 2od, while (echariah emphasized the cit$ of 'er#salem. 3ere in

Ezra we are told that (er#bbabel and 'esh#a began to b#ild the ho#se, b#t with the helpof the prophets )&. "+. The cit$ was onl$ to s#rro#nd the ho#se, b#t the ho#se was 2od1scenter.

#t the wor! of 2od will alwa$s be opposed b$ ?atan, and the ad&ersaries of '#dah cameto H#estion them as to their ha&ing a#thorit$ to b#ild the temple and to repair the wall )&.<+.These were different men than had opposed them before, so that e&identl$ a good dealof time had elapsed since the wor! had been stopped.

'#dah had nothing to hide, and told them the names of the men who were s#per&ising thewor!. The$ told them more than this also, as is reported in the letter that Tattenai sent to

the !ing of Persia )&&. -B*+. At this time Tattenai co#ld not ma!e them cease wor!ing beca#se the e$e of 2od was #pon the elders of the 'ews )&. 7+. 2od had commandedthem to b#ild and 3e wo#ld restrain an$ effort of the enem$ to resist them.

A ETTER T= 6AR%? )&&.B*-+

Tattenai then wrote a letter to >ing 6ari#s, not in the same hostile strain as Reh#m andhis companions hadwritten to Artaeres )ch. 8:*"B*+, b#t simpl$ inH#iring as to thetr#thof what the 'ews had told him. The message was sent as from the go&ernor of the

region be$ond the ri&er )Tattenai+, ?hether oznai and their companions, the Persians be$ond the Ri&er. These were Persians therefore, not the men of the capti&it$, as in thecase of chapter8:*8.

Their letter to 6ari#s begins in reporting that wor! was progressing rapidl$ in the b#ilding of the temple of the great 2od at 'er#salem )&. 9+. The$ did not consider the2od of %srael as similar to one of the idols of the nations, b#t recognized 3im as the



great 2od. Their presentation of the whole matter was restrained and fair, not demandingthat the wor! be stopped, b#t inH#iring as to its being permitted b$ the !ing of Persia.

The$ reported as!ing the elders of '#dah as to who ga&e them a#thorit$ to b#ild, and the$replied that the$ were the ser&ants of the 2od of hea&en and earth and were reb#ilding

the temple b#ilt b$ a great !ing )?olomon+ man$ $ears before. Th#s their a#thorit$ was primaril$ from 2od.

3owe&er, the$ told that the reason for the destr#ction of the temple, that their fathers had pro&o!ed the 2od of hea&en to anger, so that 3e had deli&ered them into the hands of 0eb#chadnezzar !ing of ab$lon, #nder whose a#thorit$ the temple was destro$ed andthe 'ews carried into capti&it$ )&. *"+. This was thoro#ghl$ acc#rate.

#t the$ appealed also to an earthl$ a#thorit$, C$r#s !ing of ab$lon. Act#all$ he was!ing of Persia )ch.*:*+, b#t since Persia had capt#red ab$lon, C$r#s was !ing o&erab$lon too. %n his first $ear )the$ affirmed+ C$r#s had iss#ed a decree to b#ild this

ho#se of 2od )&. *<+, gi&ing orders too that the gold and sil&er articles of the ho#se of2od sho#ld be ta!en from 0eb#chadnezzar1s temple in ab$lon and restored to'er#salem. These things were placed #nder the a#thorit$ of one named ?heshbazzarwhom C$r#s had made go&ernor, and this go&ernor had come to 'er#salem and laid thefo#ndation of the temple )&. *8+.

Tattenai appeared to ha&e been H#ite fair in the wa$ he reported what the 'ews had said,ending with their assertion that ?heshbazzar had come to 'er#salem and had laid thefo#ndation of the ho#se of 2od, b#t tho#gh it had been long #nder constr#ction, it wasnot $et finished.

Their reH#est to the !ing then was, not that he sho#ld find o#t if 'er#salem was arebellio#s cit$, as was the charge of Reh#m and ?himshi before )ch. 8:*"B*+, b#t ratherthat he sho#ld find if the records showed a command of C$r#s to reb#ild the temple, andthat the !ing wo#ld epress his own mind to them as regards this matter )&. *-+.

CHAPTE ,

3a&ing recei&ed the letter from Tattenai, 6ari#s ordered that a search be made in thearchi&es where the treas#res were stored in ab$lon. There is no do#bt that 2od led thesearchers to Achmetha in the pro&ince of 5edia, to find a scroll that recorded the decreeof C$r#s concerning the reb#ilding of the temple. The words of the decree are H#oted in

&erses <B7, confirming what has been told #s in Ezra *:*B**. Derses B*" record the wordsof 6ari#s in repl$ to Tattenai. 0either this go&ernor nor an$ of his companions was tointerfere in the matter of the reb#ilding of the temple, letting the wor! of this ho#se of2od alone )&&. B-+, b#t allowing f#ll right to the go&ernor and the elders of the 'ews to b#ild as the$ had been gi&en permission.

#t more than that, 6ari#s iss#ed a decree that the cost of b#ilding sho#ld be borne b$taes d#e the !ing from his possessions west of the ri&er )&. 9+. Reh#m had #rged that if



the temple were b#ilt, then the 'ews wo#ld not pa$ taes, b#t 6ari#s decreed that the'ews wo#ld ha&e ta mone$ paid to themI et this was not all. An$ needs the 'ews had, b#lls, rams and lambs for b#rnt offerings, wheat, salt, wine and oil, were to be gi&en themat the reH#ests of the priests in 'er#salem, not onl$ on one occasion, b#t da$ b$ da$. %tis interesting that 6ari#s desired that the 'ews sho#ld offer sacrifices to the 2od of

hea&en, and to pra$ for the life of the !ing and his sons )&. *@+. 6oes not this appear to bea tr#e wor! of 2od in the !ing1s so#l Toda$, whate&er go&ernment Christians ma$ be#nder, it is important that the$ pra$ for those in a#thorit$ o&er them.

6ari#s e&identl$ tho#ght it necessar$ also to solemnl$ decree that an$one who so#ght toalter his edict was to ha&e his ho#se destro$ed and he himself hanged from the timber ofhis ho#se )&. **+. This wo#ld rather effect#all$ arrest an$ show of hostilit$ b$ theenemies of the 'ews. Then 6ari#s also in&o!ed the 2od of %srael to act against an$ !ingor people who opposed the b#ilding of the ho#se of 2od. 3e closed with the firmdeclaration, % 6ari#s iss#e a decree: let it be done diligentl$ )&. *"+.

T3E TE5PE C=5PETE6 )&&. *<B*9+

Tattenai the go&ernor and those associated with him did not hesitate to obe$ the !ing1sdecree, b#t were diligent in carr$ing o#t all his orders )&. *<+. Thro#gh the prophes$ing of 3aggai and (echariah the 'ews had res#med their b#ilding, and contin#ed it also #nders#ch prophes$ing )&. *8+. The decree of 6ari#s was not s#fficient to !eep them b#ilding:the$ needed the help of 2od, ;#st as we too need the grace and blessing of 2od if we areto b#ild #p the Ch#rch of 2od according to 3is 4ord.

4e are not gi&en precise dates as regards the length of the reign of C$r#s, Ahas#er#s,Artaeres and 6ari#s, so that we do not !now how long the reb#ilding too!, b#t it wasm#ch longer than ?olomon1s se&en $ears in b#ilding the first temple )* >i. :<9+, and itwas finall$ completed in the sith $ear of >ing 6ari#s )&. *7+.

Th#s 2od was honored in the restoration of 3is ho#se, which is t$pical of the e&ent#alrestoration of the temple in the millenni#m as described in Eze!iel 8@, tho#gh this inEzra1s time was m#ch smaller. ?ince 2od was honored, the 'ews had perfect right tore;oice in celebration of this glad e&ent of the dedication of the temple. A large offeringwas made, tho#gh it was small in comparison to ?olomon1s offerings at the dedication ofthe first temple )* >i. 9:"B<+. %n Ezra1s case, the offerings were *@@ b#lls, "@@ rams,

8@@ lambs and twel&e male goats )&. *-+. #t the important matter is that all of these aret$pes of the ord 'es#s in &ario#s aspects of the &al#e of 3is sacrifice at Cal&ar$. The priests and e&ites were assigned to their proper places of ser&ice in connection with thetemple, as prescribed in the boo! of 5oses, no do#bt speciall$ e&itic#s.

CEERAT%=0 =F T3E PA??=DER)&&. *B""+



A Passo&er co#ld finall$ be !ept in 'er#salem. Pre&io#s to this, the last Passo&er recordedis that of 'osiah, which m#st ha&e ta!en place o&er *@@ $ears before this )" Chron.<7:*B*+. This too was !ept on the proper da$, in contrast to the Passo&er in 3eze!iah1s time )"Chron. <@:*B<+, which was !ept in the second month beca#se man$ were not p#rified inthe first month. =n this occasion the priests and e&ites had p#rified themsel&es, which

spea!s not onl$ of being personall$ cleansed, b#t p#rified from an$ identification withe&il, ;#st as toda$ whose who eat the ord1s s#pper sho#ld be free from e&il associations.

The feast of nlea&ened read, connected with the Passo&er, was !ept for the se&en da$s prescribed b$ 5oses )&. ""+.The se&en da$s pict#res the complete life of belie&ers, being!ept free from an$ contamination of e&il, for we are not to s#ppose that we are intendedto be free from e&il ;#st on certain hol$ da$s or occasions, b#t for o#r entire life. The$!ept the se&en da$s with ;o$, and th#s o#r ;o$ is not to be temporar$, b#t contin#ed, asthe ord 'es#s sa$s, that 5$ ;o$ ma$ remain in $o#, and that $o#r ;o$ ma$ be f#ll. )'n.*7:**+.

%t is interesting to obser&e at the end of Chapter that the ord had t#rned the heart ofthe >ing of Ass$ria toward them. Th#s the >ing of Persia is called also the >ing ofab$lon )ch. 7:*<+ and the >ing of Ass$ria. Persia had conH#ered ab$lon afterab$lon had conH#ered Ass$ria, so that Persia1s !ing was in a#thorit$ o&er Ass$ria andab$lon.

Ezra was the scribe whom 2od emplo$ed to gi&e the histor$ of these first si chapters,which too! place before Ezra came to 'er#salem. =nl$ in Chapter - does Ezra introd#cehimself into the pict#re.

C3APTER -

E(RA1? RETR0 T= 'ER?AE5 )&&. *B*@+

These first ten &erses form a brief introd#ction as to who Ezra was and the fact of hiscoming to 'er#salem. 6etails are gi&en after this, &erses ** to " H#oting a letter gi&en toEzra b$ Artaeres, !ing of Persia, in whose heart 2od had wor!ed to enco#rage Ezra inret#rning to 'er#salemG then Chapter 9listing those who accompanied Ezra and reportingon the details of this;o#rne$, the gifts for the temple with which the$ had been entr#stedand their e&ent#al arri&al at 'er#salem.

First )in Chapter -+ Ezra gi&es his genealog$, going bac! to Aaron thro#gh Phineas and

Eliezer )&&. *B7+. Th#s he was a priest of 2od thro#gh birth. #t he was a s!illed scribe,which did not come thro#gh birth, b#t thro#gh diligentl$ appl$ing himself to leaning thelaw of 5oses )&. +. This o#ght to ha&e been tr#e of all the priests )e&. *@:9B**+, tho#ghmost of them failed in this.

The !ing granted him all his reH#est, according to the hand of the ord his 2od #ponhim. 3ow clearl$ 2od led Ezra, e&en preparing the !ing to fa&or his ret#rn to'er#salem, for he e&identl$ presented a reH#est to the !ing concerning this pro;ect.



Apparentl$ some of the children of %srael, incl#ding priests, e&ites, singers, gate!eepersand 0ethinim, had arri&ed earlier in the se&enth $ear of Artaeres )&. -+, and Ezra didnot arri&e #ntil the first da$ of the fifth month, according to the good hand of his 2od#pon him )&&. 9B+. Derse *@adds, For Ezra had prepared his heart to see! the aw ofthe ord, and to do it, and to teach stat#tes and ordinances in %srael )&. *@+. %t seems that

it is not man$ in whom 2od wor!s this preparation of heart, not onl$ to see! the tr#th of2od, b#t to -o .t, and also to teach it to others. earning is good, b#t teaching the tr#thcomes onl$ after obe$ing it. 3ow can we epect o#r teaching to be effecti&e if weo#rsel&es are not eamples of o#r teaching

ARTAJERJE?1 ETTERT= E(RA )&&. **B"+

The letter of Artaeres to Ezra at this time is H#oted in f#ll. %t appears that the !ing !newEzra well eno#gh )possibl$ onl$ thro#gh reports+ that he co#ld ha&e confidence in his being a tr#e ser&ant of 2od who had wisdom eno#gh to both honor 2od and honor the!ing in his pro;ect of concern for the ho#se of 2od in 'er#salem )&. **+.

3e refers to himself as !ing of !ings, for there were !ings in the Persian empire whowere s#b;ect to him )&. *"+. #t how m#ch more becoming is this title as applied to theord 'es#sI )Re&. *:*+. 3owe&er, he addressed Ezra as a scribe of the law of the 2odof hea&en. %t seems he realized that %srael1s 2od was m#ch higher than the idols ofPersia.

The !ing1s decree was similar to that of 6ari#s )ch. *:<+ in a#thorizing an$ of the peopleof %srael incl#ding priests and e&ites who desired to &ol#nteer for it, to go with Ezra to'er#salem. 3e also wrote, 4hereas $o# are being sent b$ the !ing and his se&enco#nselors )&. *8+, that is, beca#se it was b$ the !ing1s a#thorit$, and beca#se the$ were

to carr$ the sil&er and gold contrib#ted b$ the !ing and his co#nselors, and the sil&er andgold that was gi&en them in all the pro&ince of ab$lon, freewill offerings gi&en for theho#se of 2od in 'er#salem )&&. *7B*+, therefore Ezra was instr#cted to be caref#l to b#$with this mone$ b#lls, rams and lambs with grain offerings and drin! offerings to beoffered on the altar of the ho#se of 2od in 'er#salem )&. *-+. %t is good to see that the!ing1s first priorit$ was that which was for 2od1s honor. All these offerings s$mbolizeChrist in some special wa$.

Th#s, if 2od was gi&en 3is place first, the !ing had confidence that he co#ld depend onEzra to rightl$ #se the rest of the sil&er and gold, telling him he co#ld act in this asseems good to $o#, and according to the will of $o#r 2od )&. *9+. Articles that Ezrawas entr#sted with for the ser&ice of the temple he was to deli&er in f#ll before the 2odof 'er#salem )&. *+.

F#rthermore, the !ing instr#cted that an$thing more that might be needed for thef#rnishing of the temple wo#ld be gi&en from the !ing1s treas#r$ )&. "@+. This was bac!ed #p b$ a decree addressed to all the treas#rers on %srael1s side of the Ri&erE#phrates that the$ were to gi&e Ezra whate&er he might reH#ire, onl$ limiting the sil&er



to *@@ talents, the wheat to *@@ cors and the wine and oil to *@@ baths each, with no limitto the salt )&&."*B""+.

%t ma$ seem amazing that the >ing of Persia wo#ld decree that whate&er is commanded b$ the 2od of hea&en, let it be diligentl$ done for the ho#se of the 2od of hea&en )&.

"<+.4e might epect s#ch words from a godl$ !ing of %sraelG b#t 2od !nows how towor! in the hearts of others o#tside %srael too. Artaees realized that the 2od of hea&enwas in s#ch control that 3e might ma!e Persia to s#ffer 3is wrath if the$ did notenco#rage %srael in being obedient to 2od.

5ore than this, the !ing ordered that it wo#ld be #nlawf#l to impose ta, trib#te orc#stom on an$ of the priests, e&ites, singers, gate!eepers, 0ethinim or ser&ants of theho#se of 2od )&,"8+. Reh#m and ?himshai had #rged a pre&io#s Artaeres to stop the'ews from b#ilding b$ claiming that the 'ews wo#ld not pa$ ta, trib#te or c#stom )ch.8:B*<+, b#t the !ing now was read$ to forego these things for heads of %srael, that '#dahwo#ld prosper.

Ezra too was credited b$ the !ing a sha&ing 2odBgi&en wisdom to appoint magistratesand ;#dges in the region west of the Ri&er, who were con&ersant with the laws of 2od, soas to teach the people )&. "7+. Th#s, the !ing recognized that the land of %srael had aspecial place in the e$es of the 2od of hea&en and earth, and desired that there sho#ld bed#e recognition of 2od1s honor in that co#ntr$. 3e rightl$ realized that it wo#ld be beneficial to his entire empire if 2od were gi&en 3is place in %srael.

Finall$, he instr#cted that the law of 2od was to be so f#ll$ enforced that an$one whowo#ld not obser&e it and the law of the !ing )which he regarded secondar$ to the law of2od+ wo#ld be eposed to ;#dgment witho#t dela$, whether the case demanded death,

banishment from %srael, confiscation of propert$ or imprisonment )&. "+. %f one1s g#iltwas established be$ond H#estion, this is certainl$ good go&ernment, not li!e so man$cases toda$, being dragged o#t for months witho#t reason. The polic$ of the 5edes andPersians that their laws co#ld not be changed )6an. :*7+ did ha&e some merit, tho#gh in6aniel1s case the law was bad and sho#ld ne&er ha&e been passed. #t the Persians werenot slow in carr$ing o#t sentence against lawBbrea!ers, and this is commendable.

Derses "- and "9 record the words of Ezra in epressing his appreciation of the ord1s p#tting into the !ing1s heart the desire to bea#tif$ the ho#se of the ord, and also for theord1s merc$ to him in disposing the hearts of the !ing and his co#nselors fa&orabl$toward Ezra himself. 3e considered himself simpl$ the ob;ect of 2od1s merc$ in his being shown fa&or b$ the !ing and his princes )&. "9+. eing th#s enco#raged b$ the handof the ord #pon him, he gathered leading men of %srael to accompan$ him to 'er#salem.

C3APTER 9

A %?T =F E(RA1? C=5PA0%=0? )&&. *B*8+



Those who &ol#ntaril$ came to accompan$ Ezra to 'er#salem are recorded here, the menn#mbering almost *7@@. 4omen also m#st ha&e been present, b#t are notmentioned. 0ot that 2od thin!s less of the faith of women, for 3e often commends themfor their de&otedness, b#t since the emphasis here is on p#blication, and the women donot hold a p#blic place, there was no reason to refer to them. Children too are not

mentioned. %n fact, the emphasis in&erse * is on the heads of their father1s ho#ses,showing 2od1s &ital interest in ho#seholds.

PR%E?T?, ED%TE? A06 0ET3%0%5 A66E6 )&&. *7B"@+

Ezra gathered his compan$ together b$ the ri&er that flows to Aha&a, camping there threeda$s. 3owe&er, among all these people he fo#nd none of the sons of e&i present )&. *7+.3ow sad indeed was this deficienc$I BB for their main concern was the temple of 2od at'er#salem, and of all people the e&ites o#ght to ha&e been most anio#s to ret#rn to'er#salem, for the$ were rightl$ temple ser&ants. 4ere the$ content to settle down inab$lon, concerned onl$ for their own comfort in the midst of a world at enmit$ with

2od 5a$ we not be li!e them, b#t be concerned to place 2od1s interests first and bewilling to labor for the blessing of 3is present ho#se, the Ch#rch of 2od.

Ezra was not content to go to 'er#salem witho#t e&ites, so he called for a n#mber ofleaders among the 'ews and commanded them to spea! to %ddo, the chief man at the placeCasiphia, which m#st ha&e been a place where e&ites and 0ethinim had congregated, totell him that e&ites and 0ethinim were reH#ired for the ser&ice of the ho#se of 2od at'er#salem.

Ezra m#st ha&e been held in honor among these people, beca#se his words had s#cheffect as to lead eighteen men of one famil$ and twent$ of another famil$ of e&ites to

respond to this call. #t also ""@ 0ethinim responded. These were temple ser&ants, li!el$2entiles of the 2ibeonites whom 'osh#a had p#t in the place of woodc#tters and watercarriers for the congregation )'osh. :"-+. 4hile the e&ites were temple ser&ants, the 0ethinim were emplo$ed as helpers of the e&ites, and there is e&er$ indication that the$ pro&ed faithf#l thro#gh the $ears.

PRAER A06 FA?T%02 )&&."*B"<+

E&en with all the reH#ired compan$ now gathered, Ezra was not prepared to lea&e #ntilthe$ had earnestl$ so#ght the blessing and g#idance of 2od. 3e proclaimed a fast thatthe$ might h#mble themsel&es before 2od to see! the right wa$ for #s and o#r little

ones and all o#r possessions )&. "*+. This was to be a long ;o#rne$ in which the$ might be eposed to the dangers of being attac!ed b$ robbers, of illness or accidents, badweather or plain weariness. For, he writes, % was ashamed to reH#est of the !ing anescort of soldiers and horsemen to help #s against the enem$ on the road, beca#se we hadspo!en to the !ing, sa$ing, The hand of o#r 2od is #pon all those for good who see!3im, b#t 3is power and 3is wrath are against all those who forsa!e 3im )&. ""+. Th#s,committing themsel&es simpl$ to the ord, the$ had f#ll confidence their pra$er wasanswered )&. "<+.



PR%E?T? E0TR?TE6 4%T3 C=?T PR=PERT )&&. "8B<@+

efore lea&ing also Ezra chose twel&e leaders of the priests and ten of their brethren withthem to ta!e charge of the sil&er, gold and other articles that had been offered for theho#se of 2od, things gi&en b$ the !ing and his co#nselors as well as b$ %sraelites who

were present. These things weighed o#t to them are detailed in &erse ", BB 7@ talents ofsil&er, articles of sil&er weighing *@@ talents, *@@ talents of gold, "@ gold basins and two&essels of fine polished bronze, precio#s as gold. The *@@ talents of gold wo#ld be worthclose to K9@@,@@@.This was no small amo#nt to be entr#sted with for a fo#r months ;o#rne$I

i!el$ these priests were thoro#ghl$ tr#stworth$ men, b#t it was still necessar$ to ha&emore than one or two in charge of the propert$, in order to honor the tr#th that Pa#lemphasizes in " Corinthians 9:"@B"<, BB a&oiding this, that an$one sho#ld blame #s inthis la&ish gift which is administered b$ #s. %ndeed the more honest a man is, the morehe sho#ld desire to ha&e his actions caref#ll$ scr#tinized b$ others. Th#s too, those who

are tr#sted to handle mone$ in an assembl$ sho#ld be caref#l to ha&e the amo#nts and thedisposition of an$ f#nds closel$ chec!ed b$ others.

Ezra reminded the priests that the$ themsel&es were hol$ to the ord and that what wasentr#sted to them was also hol$ )&. "9+. Therefore he tells them, 4atch and !eep them#ntil $o# weight them before the leaders of the priests and heads of the fathers1 ho#ses of%srael in 'er#salem, in the chambers of the ho#se of the ord )&. "9+. 4hat a reminderfor e&er$ belie&er toda$I 4e are entr#sted with the tr#th of the 4ord of 2od, and sho#ldta!e to heart what Pa#l writes to Timoth$, = Timoth$I 2#ard what was committed to$o#r tr#st )* Tim. :"@+.'#st as the priests were reH#ired to gi&e acco#nt in 'er#salem ofall that was committed to their tr#st, so we shall gi&e acco#nt at the ;#dgment seat of

Christ of the wa$ we handled the word of 2od committed to #s.

C=5%02 T= 'ER?AE5 )&&.<*B<+

=nl$ a brief mention is made of the fo#r month trip to 'er#salem, b#t f#ll credit is gi&ento 2od for 3is preser&ing care in bringing them in safet$, for &erse <* indicates that there/ere enemies along the road. et an$ effort b$ them to ca#se tro#ble was thwarted beforeit began. =n the fo#rth da$ after arri&ing at 'er#salem the sil&er and gold and all thearticles carried there were weighed in the ho#se of 2od b$ two priests accompanied b$three e&ites. 3ow rightl$ this was done, that e&er$thing might be fo#nd in proper order.?imilarl$, at the end of o#r Christian ;o#rne$, all o#r life will be weighed in the balancesof the sanct#ar$. 6o we eercise o#rsel&es to ha&e a conscience &oid of offense toward2od and men, so that we shall gladl$ welcome that re&iew 0otice that all the weightwas written down at the time )&. <8+. ?o indeed there will be an eternal record of thatwhich has been done in tr#e de&otion to the ord.

Those who ret#rned were children of those ta!en capti&e -@ $ears before, and the$offered twel&e b#lls, rams and -- lambs as b#rnt offerings to the 2od of %srael, notsimpl$ the 2od of '#dah. The twel&e b#lls were for the twel&e tribes of %srael, tho#gh all



those tribes were not e&en represented there. Also twel&e male goats were added as a sinoffering )&. <7+, again with the twel&e tribes in &iew. Toda$ also, when 2od brings abo#ta ret#rn of e&en a small n#mber to recognize the tr#th of the Assembl$ of 2od, we m#stne&er lose sight of the fact that 3e lo&es the entire bod$ of Christ, of which we are onl$ asmall part. Tho#gh it is impossible to ha&e practical fellowship with all the one bod$, it is

onl$ right that we embrace them in o#r affections. 4hen we brea! bread )howe&er fewwe ma$ be+, we sho#ld alwa$s remember that the bread which we brea!, is it not thecomm#nion of the bod$ of Christ BB th#s recognizing o#r fellowship with the entire bod$ of Christ, not onl$ those present.

Ezra1s compan$ deli&ered the !ing1s orders to his officials in that area, which the officialshonored b$ gi&ing s#pport to the 'ews and to the wor! of the temple )&. <+. 2od in thiswa$ was gi&ing special enco#ragement to 3is people in the wor! that was for 3is honor.

?o we fasted and entreated o#r 2od for this, and 3e answered o#r pra$er )Ezra 9:"<+.

C3APTER

35E6 ECA?E =F 5%JE6 5ARR%A2E? )&&. *B8+

%f Ezra epected to engage in the pleasant wor! of the priesthood, it m#st ha&e been a!een disappointment to find soon after his arri&al that there was &er$ #npleasant wor! todo. For the priest1s wor! was not onl$ to offer sacrifices to 2od. 3e m#st deal with fail#reand sin among the people, and s#ch cases were soon bro#ght to his attention b$ theleaders )&. *+. The$ reported that, not onl$ had the common people mied with the peoples of the land, to practice the abominations )idolatr$+ of the Canaanites, 3ittites,Perezzites, 'eb#sites, Ammonites, 5oabites, Eg$ptians and AmoritesG b#t the priests and

e&ites had done so also. This in&ol&ed e&en more nations that had been in the land when%srael first came there. in!ed with this idolatr$ the$ were practicing was the fact that the'ews had ta!en some women from those nations as wi&es. %s it not alwa$s tr#e that badassociations will lead to a bad attit#de toward 2od BB that is, idolatr$. #t Ezra was toldthat the leaders and r#lers had been foremost in this trespass )&. "+. Certainl$, if leadersdo it, the people will follow, and it is easier to follow a bad eample than a good one.

#t how good to see the effect this had on EzraI %t ca#sed no bitter anger, no panic, no precipitate actions, b#t rather a h#mble, selfB;#dgment epressed in tearing his robe, e&en pl#c!ing o#t some of the hairs of his beard, and sitting down in deep disma$ )&. <+.

This bro!enness and h#milit$ of the man of 2od had some serio#s effect on others whotrembled at the words of 2od, and the$ assembled to him. %f we ha&e an$ regard for 2od3imself, 3is word will certainl$ ma!e #s tremble as we contemplate men1s ha#ght$defiance of that word, for a ha#ght$ attit#de will bring down the awf#l ;#dgment of the2od the$ def$, and we sho#ld desire to see that a&erted if it is possible.



#t Ezra !new how to wait #pon 2od for an answer. 3is deep distress contin#ed till thetime of the e&ening sacrifice )&. 8+. Then he arose, his garment and his robe ha&ing beentorn, and spread o#t his hands to pra$ to the ord his 2od.

E(RA1? PRAER )&&. B*7+

3ow different is Ezra1s pra$er from that of Eli;ah some $ears before, when he told 2odhow #nfaithf#l %srael had been while he )Eli;ah+ had alone remained faithf#l )* >i.*:*@+. %nstead of this Ezra pra$ed as tho#gh he was ;#st as g#ilt$ as others of %srael inthis sad mit#re of the 'ews with the nations. 3e confessed the sin of all ;#st as tho#gh ithad been his, tho#gh he was not personall$ in&ol&ed in the sin. 3e discerned this, that%srael had sinned, and he was part of %srael. As 2od1s priest, he was eating the sin offering)e&. :"7B"+, which in&ol&es feeling before 2od the serio#sness of %srael1s sin, in whichthe priest was to consider himself in&ol&ed. 4e see this most stri!ingl$ in the words of

the ord 'es#s in Psalm :7, = 2od, o# !now m$ foolishnessG and m$ sins are nothidden from o#. Certainl$ the ord 'es#s had no sins of his own, b#t 3e too! theresponsibilit$ on 3is own sho#lders for the sins of %srael, confessed them before 2od,and in fact bore them in 3is own bod$ on the tree )* Pet. ":"8+.

%t is lo&el$ to see this same spirit in Ezra, confessing before 2od, = m$ 2od, % am tooashamed and h#miliated to lift #p m$ face to o#, m$ 2odG for o#r iniH#ities ha&e risenhigher than o#r heads, and o#r g#ilt has grown #p to the hea&ens )&. +. %n other words,their sin was far be$ond their control or their abilit$ to chec! it. #t he does not confinehis tho#ghts to the g#ilt then present, rather he confesses it had been there since the da$sof o#r fathers1 )&. -+. %n spea!ing th#s, he remembered that it was s#ch g#ilt that had led

to their capti&it$, their !ings and priests being deli&ered into the hands of foreign !ings beca#se of this g#ilt, and bro#ght down to shamef#l h#miliation.

And now for a little while grace has been shown from the ord o#r 2od to lea&e #s aremnant to escape. Ezra deepl$ appreciated the great !indness of 2od in the smallmeas#re of reco&er$ 3e had gi&en 3is people, tho#gh onl$ a remnant. 3e had gi&en thema peg in 3is hol$ place, a small s#pport on which to hang their confidence, to ha&eenlightened e$es to discern more clearl$ the tr#th of 2od, to be in some meas#re re&i&ed,tho#gh still in bondage. For &erse is rightl$ translated, we are sla&es. %n spite of this,2od had not forsa!en them in their bondage, b#t had etended merc$ in the sight of the!ings of Persia, that the$ might at least be lifted in spirit abo&e their circ#mstances, toha&e the temple of 2od repaired and the wall of 'er#salem reb#ilt. 6oes this not show #sthat, e&en in a sadl$ confined state, 2od is able to pro&ide grace to rightl$ worship 3im)of which the temple spea!s+ and also to be in some tr#e meas#re separate from the world)which the wall pict#res+

#t now, after 2od had shown s#ch grace, Ezra sa$s, 4e ha&e forsa!en o#rcommandment. 2od1s command to them had been accompanied b$ 3is warning to



%srael against idolatr$ and against gi&ing their da#ghters as wi&es to the inhabitants of theland the$ entered )&. *"+.

Ezra contin#ed his pra$er with the reminder that 2od had warned %srael againstintermarr$ing with the nations of the land, and e&en against their see!ing the peace of

those nations, that is, to ma!e them comfortable in the fact of li&ing together. This is awarning for belie&ers toda$, not to intermarr$ with #nbelie&ers and not to ma!e#nbelie&ers feel as tho#gh there is no difference between #s and them. Toda$, howe&er,we ha&e a positi&e gospel to #nbelie&ers, to see! to win them to the ord, that the$ ma$ be sa&ed, b$ which means the$ ma$ be blessed with the same blessings we ha&e.

After all the disobedience and g#ilt of %srael, Ezra considered that 2od had p#nishedthem less than their iniH#ities deser&ed )&. *<+. %t was tr#e that 2od had p#nished them, b#t with the p#rpose of dri&ing them bac! to 3im, not with the mere ob;ect of p#nishingthem. Then 3e had wonderf#ll$ deli&ered them from the rigor of that p#nishment b$restoring them to their land.

After s#ch !indness shown b$ 2od, Ezra as!s, sho#ld we again brea! o#rcommandments and ;oin in marriage with the people committing theseabominations This he realized to be a most #ngratef#l wa$ of responding to 2od1s grace,and therefore he epected 2od to inter&ene in anger, to cons#me %srael so that no remnantat all wo#ld be left )&. *8+.

et #s obser&e that Ezra does not as! for forgi&eness of the people, b#t simpl$ confesses%srael1s g#ilt before the ord, lea&ing 2od to do as 3e sees fit with them. 3e declares that2od is righteo#s in ha&ing left the few 'ews onl$ as a remnant, b#t beca#se of 2od1srighteo#sness, no one of the remnant co#ld stand before 3im on acco#nt of their g#ilt )&.

*7+.

C3APTER *@

ACT%=0 F==4%02 PRAER)&&. *B*-+

Ezra epected an answer to his pra$er, and 2od pro&ided the answer immediatel$ inmo&ing a &er$ h#ge n#mber of men, women and children to gather together before 3im,weeping bitterl$, for the$ realized that this was not a matter merel$ to pra$ abo#t, b#t to be faced and settled before 2od.

=ne man, ?hechaniah, became a spo!esman for all, confessing their g#ilt in ha&ingtrespassed against 2od in ta!ing pagan wi&es. et now, he said, there is hope in %sraelin spite of this )&. "+. 3e as!ed that a co&enant be made with 2od to p#t awa$ theseforeign wi&es and children born to them, and to let it be done according to the law )&. <+.3e therefore enco#raged Ezra to rise and act on this ad&ice, since Ezra was in a place ofa#thorit$, ass#ring him that he )?hechaniah+ and others wo#ld bac! him #p. Ezra thenrose and reH#ired an oath to be sworn that %srael wo#ld clear themsel&es of their e&ilcompromise b$ p#tting awa$ their foreign wi&es and their children )&. 7+.



?#ch an action certainl$ shows the serio#sness of the e&il of sinf#l associations. 4e m#stnot diminish the serio#sness of this, tho#gh in o#r da$, #nder grace, we cannot reH#ire the p#tting awa$ of wi&es, tho#gh the$ are not sa&ed. The nations %srael was in&ol&ingthemsel&es with were act#all$ demon worshipers, so that 2od had absol#tel$ forbiddenan$ marriages with them. elie&ers toda$ are not #nder s#ch a law, tho#gh the$ are told,

6o not be #neH#all$ $o!ed together with #nbelie&ers )" Cor. :*8+. %f the$ disobe$ thisscript#re, the$ are not told to p#t awa$ the #nbelie&er, b#t rather, a wife is not to departfrom her h#sband )* Cor. -:*@+, tho#gh if the #nbelie&er departs, let him depart )* Cor.-:*7+. =nce the marriage is cons#mmated, the belie&er is not free before 2od to lea&e itecept in the case of the partner being #nfaithf#l )5t. *:+. Toda$, a belie&er whomarries an #nbelie&er m#st learn b$ eperience the painf#l res#lts of this disobedience,rather than being relie&ed of s#ch res#lts.

3owe&er, Ezra, still #nder deep eercise of so#l, went apart from the people, into thechamber of 'ehohanan, the son of Eliashib the high priest, where he fasted and mo#rned beca#se of the g#ilt of the remnant of the capti&it$ )&.+. 3ow good it is too if we see!

solitar$, protracted eercise of heart before 2od in connection with an$ occasion ofserio#s tro#ble amongst the saints of 2od. 6aniel, when deepl$ concerned abo#t the lowcondition of his people %srael, was mo#rning three f#ll wee!s )6an. *@:"+.

Then a proclamation was iss#ed and sent to all the descendants of the capti&it$ that the$m#st gather at 'er#salem, this order being accompanied b$ the warning that one whoref#sed to come wo#ld ha&e all his propert$ confiscated and he himself separated fromthe assembl$ of the ret#rned remnant )&&. -B9+. 4h$ sho#ld this be in the case of thosewho were not g#ilt$ of miing with the nations eca#se all were affected b$ the e&il ofe&en a few, tho#gh in this case it was more than a few. #t all the people were intended tofeel the g#ilt that %srael had inc#rred b$ the e&il allowed in their midst, so that it wo#ld

not be so li!el$ to H#ic!l$ rise again. 4e s#rel$ m#st alwa$s feel the shame of wrongscommitted in o#r own compan$, and ta!e sides with 2od in a proper ;#dgment of them.

4ithin three da$s after the proclamation was made, this gathering too! place, and e&entho#gh the people had to sit o#tside in a hea&$ rain, there was no dela$ in facing thematter. The time wo#ld correspond to o#r 6ecember or 'an#ar$, so that the weather onl$increased their trembling o&er the matter that tro#bled them.

Ezra then spo!e briefl$ and to the point, o# ha&e transgressed and ha&e ta!en paganwi&es, adding to the g#ilt of %srael. 0ow therefore ma!e confession to the ord 2od of$o#r fathers, and do 3is willG separate $o#rsel&es from the peoples of the land, and fromthe pagan wi&es )&&. *@B**+. Perhaps it was Ezra1s pra$er and selfB;#dgment that !ept the people from resisting this order, for generall$ those who ha&e s#n! into e&il are st#bborneno#gh to resist an$ reproof. #t 2od was wor!ing, as 3e alwa$s does in response tofaith and selfB;#dgment.

All the people answered decisi&el$, esI As $o# ha&e said, so we m#st do )&. *"+. 3owthan!f#l Ezra m#st ha&e been to hear these wordsI 3owe&er, as the$ sa$, this wor! wo#ldta!e time, both beca#se of the weather and beca#se there were man$ in&ol&ed in this



transgression. The$ s#ggest that appointments might be made at stated times for the ;#dging of e&er$ case, with ;#dges and elders present, and this s#ggestion was accepted inspite of some apparentl$ disagreeing )&. *7+.

The most responsible for this g#ilt are mentioned first, priests, the sons of 'esh#a )&. *9+,

and then other priests )&&. "@B""+. 'esh#a had been identified with (er#bbabel in b#ildingthe ho#se of 2od )3ag. ":"B8+, and for his sons to fall into the snare of the enem$ wasdeepl$ serio#s, for this pro&ided a bad eample for others. 4hen the$ ga&e their promiseto p#t awa$ their strange wi&es, the$ presented a ram as a trespass offering. 4hene&er weha&e been g#ilt$ of an$ sin, we m#st be reminded that Christ is the propitiation for o#rsins )* 'n.":*B"+. %f we thin! serio#sl$ of the agon$ 3e s#ffered on acco#nt of o#r sins,are we li!el$ to carelessl$ slip bac! into sin again Th#s, selfB;#dgment sho#ld be real,and f#ll.

e&ites are spo!en of in &erse "<, and singers in &erse "8, then others of the people in&erses "7B8<. Th#s we are reminded that, howe&er greatl$ we ma$ be blessed, none of

2od1s people are a#tomaticall$ eempt from being tested b$ the sed#ctions of the enem$.

Th#s, e&er$ one of these #neH#al $o!es had to be bro!en, regardless of what either part$felt abo#t it. This was #nder law. nder grace toda$, if one sho#ld find himself in an#neH#al $o!e, the general principle is that he sho#ld lea&e it if he can do so witho#tin;#stice toward the other part$. ?#pposing it is a b#siness $o!e, if a belie&er hascommitted himself to a contract, he ma$ find the onl$ right wa$ to brea! the contract is to b#$ himself o#t of it, which he sho#ld do if possible. %t is not so eas$ as this in marriage,for script#re tells the belie&er, a wife is not to depart from her h#sband )* Cor. -:*@+.For #nder grace, the #nbelie&ing h#sband is sanctified b$ the wife, and the #nbelie&ingwife is sanctified b$ the h#sband =r how to $o# !now, = h#sband, whether $o# will

sa&e $o#r wife )* Cor. -:*+. 3ow than!f#l we o#ght to be that we are li&ing #ndergrace rather than #nder lawI

%s it not stri!ing that the onl$ wor! recorded on Ezra1s part in ret#rning to the land is thatof dealing with the #nfaithf#lness of the people This sho#ld deepl$ impress #s with thefact of 2od1s abhorrence of bad associations on the part of 3is belo&ed people. #t thefaithf#lness of Ezra is bea#tif#ll$ commendable.

Following this, it seems that Ezra faded into the bac!gro#nd, at least not ha&ing ano#tstanding place in the histor$ of the ret#rned remnant of %srael, tho#gh, being a scribe,he is seen in 0ehemiah 9:*B reading to the 'ews from the oo! of the aw of 5oses.Tho#gh the ord had pressed him into a most forward position for the p#rpose of p#rif$ing '#dah from the corr#ption into which the$ had fallen, there was no ambition onEzra1s part to ta!e a prominent place in the go&ernment of the nation. This is a lo&el$contrast to the attit#de of the disciples of the the ord 'es#s when the$ disp#ted amongthemsel&es as to who sho#ld be greatest )!. "":"8+. 4e ha&e m#ch to learn from thecharacter of this de&oted ser&ant of the ord. %ndeed, the ord1s disciples had far morereason to be h#mble and selfBeffacing than Ezra had, for the$ had companied with theord 'es#s 3imself and had seen this mar&elo#s lowl$ character manifested in all 3is



wa$s. Ezra had not had this wonderf#l ad&antage, b#t he had learned well in the presenceof 2od.

There can be no do#bt that the most significant reason for the writing of this boo! of Ezrais to deepl$ impress on belie&ers the serio#sness of the H#estion of o#r associations. This

is partic#larl$ necessar$ ministr$ for o#r present da$, at the end of the dispensation ofgrace, when the enem$ of o#rso#ls is tr$ing e&er$ artifice to in&ol&e belie&ers in theschemes of #nbelie&ers and to mi belie&ers and #nbelie&ers so that no clear differencecan be seen between them. 5a$ we ta!e these things deepl$ to heart, that we ma$ rightl$honor o#r blessed ord.

L. M. GRANT

ezra-l m grant

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