The Pulpit Commentary — Ezra — Section 78

Jews. The search recommended, it is true, was duly decreed and instituted 1• and that, so far as appears, without any delay or reluctance. But the important docu- ment sought for was not forthcoming immediately. On the contrary, in that II house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon," and where "search was made" in the first instance, as being apparently the most likely place in which to find a copy of such an edict, no such copy was found nt all. This would be trying news for those at Jerusalem; till followed up, as it afterwards was, by intelligence of a more cheering kind; viz., that further search in another place (Achmetha or Ecba- tana) had discovered the decree in question, and had led afterwards, on the part of Darius, to a fuhber imperial decree on the very same subject. What were these two decrees found to say ? The rest of this passage tells us. We shall find the contents of the first, as rehearsed here by Darius, exceedingly encouraging to the Jews. We shall find those of the second more encouraging still. _I. THE FORMER D_ECREE. This, when ~t last ~ound, was found to be in every- thing as before descnbed by the Jews. Kmg Danus expressly acknowledges this in his public reply to the Syrian governor. 1. With reference to date. The decree in question had been issued by Cyrus in his "first year" (ver. 3), as reported. 2. W_ith reference to the '.'house." Darius had found that decree to be beyond question " a decree concemmg the house of God at Jerusalem." Note also, on this point, (a) how express its purport had been. "Let the house be builded, as a place where they may offer sacrifice." Also, (b) how precise its directions. Lel this building have adequate, i. e. weight-carrying, foundations ; and together with these, proper proportions, viz., of more than the former width, all included, and not less than half the old height (see Wordsworth, in loc.); and, finally, suitable style, viz., four stories (ooµo,, Joseph.,' Sept.;' see also 1 Kings vi. 6) in height, three of stone, and one of new wood (vers. 3, 4). Also (c) how complete its provisions. Whatever the necessary "expenses," they were to be "given out of the king's house" (ver. 4). In a word, could Cyrus have shown greater zeal and anxiety as to the erection of this house unless he had stepped out of his proper province, and sought to build it himself? So, again, with reference (3) to the Bacred Ve88els. The restoration of these by Cyrus had been justly made a great additional point in the defence of the Jews (eh. v. 14, &c.). Darius next (ver. 5) virtually acknowledges that here also their statements had been fully confirmed by this decree of Cyrus. These very vessels which they had spoken of were found exactly described there (ver. 5). Their material, their original use, the place they had left, the man who had taken them, the place they were taken to, were all mentioned by name. .Also, as to the alleged order for their restoration, things were equally plain. Let them, first, be given up or II restored;" let them II go," next (margin), to the temple at Jerusalem; let them be deposited there where they were before, each in its proper "place" in God's "house." Could Cyrus, here again, have said more ? Could he have shown greater zeal and anxiety as to the restoration of these vessels unless he had carried them himself to Mount Zion? All this Darius here acknow- ledges in briefly reciting the contents of that decree of Cyrus as a kind of preamble to his own. "I have found the decree you have spoken of; and I have found it all you have said." II. THE PRESENT DECREE. What did this satisfactory "preamble" lead to ? To a direct enactment which, if possible, was still more satisfactory. 1. As to its m,att,er. This was all that the Jews could wish for. It was so (a) negatively. Tatnai and his fellow officials were neither to approach the place in a hostile spirit, or interfere with the effort, or hinder the men (vers. 6, 7). "Whatever you do, do nothing hostile. This, of all things, is the very first." It was so ( b) positively. If you .vant to know what "ye shall do" (begin. of ver. 8), I will tell you. Ye shall help these men wit~ money as to "building this house," at my expense and out of the "tribute" now m your bands; ye shall do so at once ("forthwith"), and so long as they need (so some the _la_st clause of ver. 8). _Also ye shall h~lp them in kind as to using this house, prov1dmg them cheerfully with all they roqmre of every de- Bcriptian for offering their appointed sacrifices; and doing so, be it also observed, according to their own account of their requirements, and that "day by day without fail" (ver. 9). In a word, let everything be as they wish. The enactment was OH. VI. 1-12.] THE BOOK OF EZUA.