And this they do. it seems, first. Such is the Scriptural, such the politic plan (see Deut. xxvi. 1-11; 1 Kings xvii. 13; Matt. vi. 33; Luke :xi. 41 ). It is 'also to be observed that they do so "freely "-the Scriptural spirit (see E:xod. x:xv. 2; x:x:xv, 5; Deut. xv. 10 : 2 Cor. ix. 7). And that they do so, once more, sufficiently-the Scriptural proportion. " They gave after their ability" ( see Mark xii. 43 44 • xiv. 8; 2 Cor. viii. 12). It would almost seem, indeed, as though 2 Cor. viii. had 2 been fulfilled in this case; so large, considering their numbers and probable condition is the computed, value of their contributions. For example, if the 61,000 drams o; dareics of gold=£66,?18 !5s., and the ?000 pound_s or minai of eilver=£20,000, we have a total contnbuhon of about £90,000, which, for a congregation of not quite 50,000 ( children and poor and ~erv~te included, as it would seem), is nearly two pounds per head. Well would 1t be if no other " congregations ' ever did any less. This additional provision thus made for God's house, they next see to _their own;_ the result__ being as. briefly summed up to us in ver. 70. Comparing this verse with Neb. vu. 73, wluch seems to relate to the same transaction we find that in both cases, with some diversity on other points, God's minister~ a.re named first. If this means that they were attended to first, it harmonises well mtb what went before. God's house before their own houses; God's ministers before themselves. In any case we seem invited to notice that all bis ministers of all ranks were attended to; not the "priests" only, but all the divisions of the "Levites" (Levites proper, singers and porters), and even their assistants, the "N ethinims," too. Indeed, however we a.re to understand the peculiar expression, found both in Ezra and Nehemiah," [some] of the people," it would seem, from the special subsequent mention in both cases of "all Israel II as "dwelling 11 "in their cities," that the laity also of all tribes, e.nd probably also of all classes, including those mentioned in eh. ii 59-63, were duly provided for in like manner. And if so, the picture is one of a very beautiful kind. All these pilgrinis, down to the humblest, were pilgrims no more. All these once banished ones both arrived now and settled. In their trne country ; in their proper " cities ; 11 in their respective homes I In all which we may see an illustration of the wonderful variety, order, and completeness of God's ways. In creation (Ps. civ. 27; cx:x:xvi. 25; c:x:lv. 15, &c.). In providence (Acts :xxvii 43, 44). In grace (John x. 28; xvii. 12). In the "dispensation of the fulness of times" (Dan. xii. 13, as contrasted with Ps. i. 5; Luke :x.xi. 36, &c.). Happy, indeed, who can say, "We are journeying home to God 11 (Num. :x. 29).
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. 'Vera. 1-70.-Men forsaking the worldly life. We regard the people return- ing from Babylon as typical of men going out of the worldly life into the life and work of the kingdom of God. Observe- !. THAT MEN FORSAKE THE WORLDLY LIFE FROM CHOICE. Cyrus compelled no man to leave the land of captivity. The Jews left Babylon in the exercise of their own free will. Israel as a nation went out of Egypt; but as individuals they come out of Babylon. Heaven compels no man to fore~ke sin. 1. It was _a_ good_ choice. It was better to build the temple than to work m Babylon ; the spmtual 1s better than the servile ; it is good to serve God. 2. It was a wise choice. They would be honoured as the heroic builders of the second temple ; and how would they be blessed in their holy toil. It is wise to choose the 1mworldly life. 3. It was a 8elj- denying choice. They had to leave friends and companions behind ; they had to forsake vested interests, and enter an unknown future. The unworldly life neces- sitates self-denial, but the reward is a hundredfold. 4. It was a believ-ing choice. They believed that God would be with them, and that his angel would go before them. There are great duties in the pursuit of an unworldly life; there are many temples to erect, but God is an infinite resource. II. THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS ENCOURAGEMENTS TO MEN FORSAKING THE WORLDLY LIFE. 1. They have encouragements of a spiritual nature. "The priests" are with them (ver. 36). All that belongs to heaven's priesthood goes along with t~e unworldly life in its march from Babylon. 2. They have e~QQuragements of a &ocial Clt, It. 08-70.J 'l'tl:m BOOK OF EZRA. 27
nature (ver. 64). The companionships of the unworldly life are helpful. 3. They have encouragements of a.joyful nature. "The singers" a.re with them (ver. 41 ). And men who seek to live an unworldly life are accompanied by many celestial joy8, 4. They have encouragements of e. varied nature. There were many to aid in un• numbered we.ys the people in their new work. III. THAT IN FORSAKING '£HE WORLDLY LIFE MEN MUST BE SOLICITOUS AS TO THE EVIDENCES OF THEIR MORAL REALITY. 11 But they could not show their father's house" (vers. 59-63). These were with the returning people, and to all appearance as loyal e.s any of them, but they could not prove their oneness with them. 1. There is 11 register within. Are the dispositions of a renewed life within us? have we the testimony of a good conscience? 2. There is a register around us. Whom do men say that we are ? Are our lives such as become the builders of God's temple ? 3. There is a register above us. God's witness is true. The register is soon lost by sin. Let us not sacrifice it to temporal gain ; let us not sacrifice it by mar- riage (ver. 61). If we lose it we shall be morally unclean, spiritually depraved, and eternally cast out (vers. 62, 63). We must prove our religion as well as pos• sess it. IV. THAT IN FORSAKING THE WORLDLY LIFE MEN MUST GIVE THEMSELVES ENTIRELY TO THE NEW '!'OILS THAT DEVOLVE UPON THEM (vers. 68-70). 1. They came to the work. "They came to the house of the Lord which is at Jerusalem." Sight quickens activity. The ruined temple would awaken a sense of duty. 2. They gave to the work. "They gave after their ability." Ability is the universal law of service. Men who enter upon the unworldly life must be ready for all the work of the Lord.-E.