Vers. 6-17.-The letter to Darius. The occasion of this letter was the resumption of the work of rebuilding the temple of the Lord at Jerusalem after an interval of sixteen years. The authors of it nre Tatnai, the governor, probably of nil the pro- vinces west of the Euphrates, and Shethar-boznai, who may have been the scribe or secretary associated with him, as Shimshai was with Reburn (see eh. iv. 8). Or possibly Shethar-boznai was the leading man of the ApharsachiteR ; for these rtre mentioned as more particularly "his companions." The Apharsachites probably called the attention of Tatnai to the matter, who attended to it in 11 spirit of fairness which favourably contrasts with the conduct of the former leaders of these instigatorn (see eh. iv.). Having authenticated the letter, the writers proceed to state- I. WHAT THEY DID. 1. They surveyed the building. (1) They describe it as 11 the house of the great God." The renown of his wonderful works in Egypt, in the wilderness, in Canaan had filled the world. They were judgments upon the little gods of the nations (see Exod. viii. 10; ix. 14; xii. 12; xviii. 12; Nmn. xxxiii. 4). (2) They noted the importance of the building. "Great stones" (Mark xiii. 1 ; Luke xxi. 5, 6). "Timber laid in the walls." Beams of cedars from Lebanon. All work for God should be nobly done. (3) They also noted the rapid progrc~s of the work. 2. They interrogated the elders. (1) Who commnn<led you to built! this house? This question is radical. Not, Who bath authorised you to resume the b11ilcl- ing? but, Who nuthorised the commencement of the work? (2) By whose authority ?O you "mnke up this wall" ? Probably referring to their replliring of breaches in 1t made by the "people of the land" (see eh. iii. 23). (3) "What are the names'' of the chiefs ? Those who work for God with his approval need not feo,r the scrutiny of inquisitors. II. WHAT THEY LEARNED. 1. Thnt the builders professed themselves servants of the God of lieaven and earth. (1) Whnt a glorious Being I (2) What a noble 78 THE BOOK OF EZRA. [OH. V. 3-17,
sen·icc I Query-Are we bis servants ? This honour not limited now to Israelites· It is common to all true builders of the spiritual temple. 2. That they were engaged in no ,wvel business. (1) "We build the house that was builded these many years ago." About five centuries had elapsed. But even Solomon's temple re1;1laced the tabernacle which bad been set up about five centuries still earlier. True religion may nave external chang·es, but remains essentially the same. 3. That its ruin was occa- sioned by the rebellion of their fathers. (1) God gave it up to desolation. The outward splendours of religion are nothing to him when the spirit of it is dead (see Matt. x:xiii. 37; xxiv. 1, 2). The temple of Solomon in ruins was a fit emblem of humanity degraded by sin. (2) Guilt is heredit~ry: ".O~r fathers had provoked," &c. They suffered ; we suffer. 4. That the bmldmg 1s m _process of restoration. (1) "In the fi?,t year of Cyrus.': Memorable for the ter~:unation of the seventy years of Jeremiah (2 Cbron. XXXVJ.. 21; Jer. xxv. 11, 12; XXIX. 10; Dan. ix. 2). In this memorable year "the king made a decree," &c. (2) Vessels of the house also restored. These had been desecrated "in the temple of Babylon." This was the temple of Bellll! or Bel. This desecration of the vessels a figure of the condition of backsliders from God (see Acts ix. 15; Rom. ix. 22; 2 Tim. ii. 21). 5. The promi- nent place occupi,ed by 8_heshbazzar. (1) Cyrus trusted him with the custody of the sacred treasure. Made him governor. He was of the seed royal of Judah. (2) His people _honoured him. He laid the foundation-stone. Conducts the work. (3) Type of Chnst. III. THE RECOMMENDATION. 1. To test the question as to whether Cyrus autlwrised the work as alleged. Nothing to object to the fairness of this. It could only prejudice the Jews if found untrue. 2. To si,gnify the king's pleasure to hi,s servants that they might carry it out. It were well if alf who oppose God's people were as reasonable as Tatnai. Opponents so honest and free from prejudice may have the honour, like Tatnai, of promoting the work of God (see eh. vi. 13).-J. A. M. Vers. 11-17.-Tliings a Cliurch should understand concerning itself. I. THAT IT IS ENGAGED IN THE SERVICE OF' BEAVEN. "We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth" (ver. 11). 1. An exalted service. It is the service of God. 2. An extensi,e senice. It reaches in its influence throughout heaven and earth. 3. An arduous service. It is to rebuild a ruined temple in the midst of enemies. 4. A bumble service. At best the Church is but a servant. II. THAT IT BAS SUFFERED MUCH THROUGH TBE COMMISSION OF' SIN. "But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon" (ver. 12). This is the best confession a Church can have; the Church is alone responsible forits weakness. 1. Its degrad- ation. Israel is subject to a heathen power. 2. Its suffering. Israel is in captivity. 3. Its destruction. "Who destroyed this hoUBe." All this was attributable--(1) Not to the Divine inability to help. (2) Not to the Divine lack of interest. (3) But to the Divine displeasure on account of sin. Let the Church understand and acknowledge that her sad condition before the world is due to her lack of fidelity; she must take the discredit of her broken temples. III. THAT IT IS CONNECTED WITH TBE HISTORY OF' A WONDROUS REDEMPTION. ~• But in the first year of Cyrus" (ver. 13). 1. The fact of redemption. The Israelites were delivered from Babylonian captivity. The Church has been set free by Christ. 2. The history of redemption. The history of Israel's deliverance was written in the records of Babylon. The history of redemption by Christ is written in the Bible; it is an earthly record as well as a heavenly history. It is in the annals of Babylon as well as in the annals of God. 3. The research of redemption. " Let there be search made " ( ver. 17 ; 1 Pet. i. 12). . 4. T!ie pleasure of redemption .. " And let the king send his pleasure to ue concermng this matter." God's pleasure 1s man's freedom. IV. TBAT IT IB ENGAGED IN A YET UNFINISHED ENTERPRISE. "And since that time even until now bath it been in building, and yet it is not finished" (ver. 16). It is indeed true that the Ohurch is as yet engaged in an unfinished enterprise ; all it11 temples are not built; its walls are not erected ; Jesus does not yet see all thing& put under him. 1. The reason. Why is the work of the Churoh unfinished-is it from l"Ck of energy or fidelity? 2. The duration. How Jong is it to remai.ri OH. VI. 1-12.] THE BOOK OF EZRA. 79