The Pulpit Commentary — Ezra — Section 6

are told respecting the II few" mentioned there in Jer. xliii. 5-7 No wonder we read the prophet lamenting, as in Lam. i. 1; v. 18. Awful indeed was that gray nnd silent Sabbath which had fallen on Judah's cities and fields I As to the people thence carried away, equnlly desolate were their hearts. How grievous their reproach and "confusion of face" (Dan. ix. 7, 8). How bitter their recollections (Lam. i. 10; iv. 10, 20. &c.). How inconsolable their anguish (Ps. cxxxvii. 4). Could nny sorrow be worse (Lam. i. 12; Dan. ix. 12) ? At the precise moment, however, when our story begins there was a little light in this darkness. Some of the people evidently were in expectation of some change for the better. The name of the king mentioned seems to show this to begin. Also the fact of its being the II first year" of hie reign. Now that he had come to the throne, what would he do? See, for evidence of the great interest elsewhere attached to this date, Dan. i. 21, as compared with vi. 28 and x. 1. How exceedingly natural is this interest if we believe Isa. xii. 25; xliv. 28, &c., accord- ing to the best commentators, to be propkecies of this Cyrus by name I What a great turning-point in the history of the exile, his capture of Babylon, and subsequent coming to the throne. Another ground of great expectation at this juncture is also hinted at in the text. The prophecies of Jeremiah, a prophet whom many of the exiles may have heard for themselves, had foretold seventyyears of sorrowful" rest" to the land (see Jer. x:xv. 12; xx:ix. 10, compared with 2 Chron. xxxvi. 21, and Lev. xxvi. 34, 35, 43). The end of those seventy years coincided with this first year of King Cyrus. There was one at least amongst the exiles who knew this "by books" (Dan. ix. 2). This same man had been the tried friend and chief adviser of the immediate predecessor of Cyrus (Dan. vi. 3, 14, 26), and had a deep thought and constant love for his people and land (Dan. vi. 10). From a man of such a character, and with such influence and knowledge, what might not be hoped for at such a time? And how exceedingly welcome, in such a condition of misery, would be any such hope I II. The EVENT RELATED was quite in accordance with these natural expectations. While the people were thus anxiously listening, there came a sound on their ears. Thie new ruler had spoken ; he had issued a proclamation-no unimportant thing in itself. We do not expect kings to speak unless they have something to say. It was also, as they would soon learn (a more important point still), a proclamation about themselves. Further yet, it was made in two ways, each worthy of note. On the one hand, to make it public, it was made orally, by word of mouth (see margin," caused a voice to pass"), throughout all his kingdom, for the information of all who could hear ( comp. Dan. iii 4). On the other, to make it sure, it was II put in writing," as a thing meant to abide ( comp. Dan. vi. 8, 10). How momentous, therefore, even thus far, the thing which had happened. It was a loud knocking at the door of their prison- house, whatever it meant. Observe, in conclusion-1. The fulness of God's word. How much here (apparently) beneath the surface; viz., the prophecies of Isaiah; the influence of Daniel; also in the reference to the Sabbatical years, the legislation of Moses; and, finally, in the appearance of Cyrus as a predicted restorer and deliverer, the promise of Christ himself. 2. The coruristency of God's word. How many, how various, and from what widely-distant parts of it are the stones, as it were, thus brought together. Yet how admirably they fit together, and what a whole they compose. 3. The promptness of God's mercy. Many centuries passed before God visited hie people for their neglect of the Sabbatical years; but as soon as the seventy years of enforced compensatory rest are concluded, that moment hie mercy shines forth. See this characteristic illustr'lted in the case of Israel (Gen. xv. 16; Exod. xii. 41). In the case of the world (Gal. iv. 4). Vers. 2--4.-Tke edict. When the proclamation, which captive Israel had heard of with such interest and expectation, came to be examined, what was it found to contain? Besides a proper preamble, showing in whose name and by whose authority it was issued, three principal things; viz., 1. a remarkable confession; 2. a satisfactory permission; ·and 3. a considerate command. L A REMARKABLE CONFEBBION. A confession or acknowledgment--1. Of Jehovah'e e:r:istence. Cyrus, brought up as a worshipper of Ormuzd, begins hie proclamation here by mentioning Jehovah by name. 2. Of Jehovah's (ff"eatness. Jehovah the "God of heaven "-so he goes on to describe him-i, e. according to Pereiun usage on. 1. 1-4.] THE BOOK OF EZRA. 5