was also a wise line to adopt. If they were permitted to be Jews at all (as they certainly were), they might not only be allowed to worship their own God ( as already touched on), but also to worship him according to so long-established and truly national a manner. 3. On the score of necessity. Their national welfare and even existence depended on the work they were engaged on. Long experience and heavy affliction had brought home this truth to their hearts. Why had their fathers gone into captivity ? Why had the original house been destroyed ? Because their " fathers" had " provoked the God of heaven" for years in connection with the worship of that house (ver. 12; also 2 Chron. xxxvi. 14---20; Jer. vii. 1-15, 30). On the restoration, therefore, of the true worship of Jehovah, and, as a first step towards that, on the restoration of this his house, depended, nationally, their very life. The ,ery permission, in fact, to rebuild it at all was a kind of token of restored animation which it would be double death to neglect. 4. On the score of authority. In all this they were acting, furthermore, as good subjects of Persia. One of the first decrees of that king of Persia who conquered "Babylon" and became its "king" (see ver. 13) was a decree to rebuild this house. Also, one of his first appointments the appointment by name (ver. 14) of a Jewish "governor" to see to this work. Also, one of his first actions the very significant action of restoring the temple vessels. 5. In the way of cancluswn. All these things being so, was it to be wondered at that "the same Sheshbazzar," thus empowered and equipped, had come to Jerusalem and begun the work? Was it not rather to be wondered at that a work of such amazing importance should have remained on hand for so long (ver. 16)? Even "yet it is not finished I " What a master-stroke was that to end with. "You ask why we have done BO much. As Persian officials, speaking to us as Jews, rather ask why we have done BO little." Observe, in all this-I. The secret of spiritual deliverance. God delivers his people sometimes by restraining their adversaries (Ps. lxx:vi. 10 ; Prov. xvi. 7) ; sometimes by giving themselves special wisdom and courage (Luke xxi. 15 ; Acts vi. 10); sometimes, as here, by doing both. How comparatively tame these adversaries. How bold and wise these defenders. How complete, therefore, even so far, the deliverance granted (comp. Acta iv. 8-14, 21). 2. The secret of spiritual coura,ge. Why is it we fear man so much? Because, as a rule, we fear God too little (Luke -xii. 4, 5). How different the case when, as here, we feel the "eye of our God" to be "upon" us (ver. 5). See also, in case pre- viously referred to, Acts iv. 19, and v. 29; also Isa. Ii. 12, 13. Many feel a diffi- culty in speaking for Christ. If they were more often in the habit of speaking with him the difficulty would greatly diminish. Possibly it might even be found on the opposite side (see once more Acts iv. 20). 3. The secret of dealing with lwnest doubt; viz., (a) listen to it, do not repel it; (b) confront it, do not avoid it; (c) enlighten it, do not despise it. The reason why many are "sceptics"- i. e. (if they are so honestly) merely "inquirers "-is because they do not know the strength of the believer's position. If you know it, as the true strength of their position was known by the Jews before us, and can make it known in turn to such "inquirers" with like courage and wisdom, you will at least obtain their respect. It may also please God to cause your effort to do even more (see 2 Tim. ii. 24, 25).
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 3-5.-The eye of God. The "people of the land" rrocured authority from the Persian king to stop the rebuilding of the city and wal of Jerusalem, and used it to stop the rebuilding of the temple as well. After an interval of nine years, through the incitement of the prophets Haggai and Zachariah, the great work was resumed, and with the resumption the old hostility was revived. So the text, &c. The eye of their God was upon them- I. To GIVE THEM. ASSURANCE AND COMFon·r. 1. Thie figure expresses hie watcliful care. (1) His eyes are everywhere (see Job xxviii. 24; Prov. xv. 3). He observes us in the work of the sanctuary. When working in the city. When working on the wall. (2) His vision searches the heart (see 1 Sam. xvi. 7). He fully com- prehends the hyf ocrite. So the sincerity of the innocent. How assuring I How nerving to mora courage I 2. It also expresses loving favour. (1) As pity is OB. V, 3-17.) THE BOOK OF EZRA. 76