equally sati~fnctory ~2) as to its _spirit. For example, it evinced (a) much respect for the Jewish rehg1011. How signal a mark of such respect such a public request as that we find in ver. 10 so mighty a king thus openly asking those humble believers for an interest in their prayers l (b) Much sympathy with the Jews them- selves. Whatever we may think of the king's feelings towards his enemies, as shown in ver. 11 in his reference to the barbarous punishment of crucifixion (so Gee. and Bertheau; see Wordsworth), that verse at least shows how thoroughly he felt with his Jewish subjects at Jerusalem on the project so near to their hearts. He counted any one who should oppose that as amongst the worst enemies of himself. Also (c) much personal confidence in their God. If any enemies to this project should appear, or hereafter arise, whom the king's band could not reach, be hereby openly invokes against them the God of the Jews (ver. 12). May the God who has placed his Name in that house at Jerusalem himself protect it from all such. It is with this prayer he concludes. What was left to the Jewish builders except to add their "Amen" ? In the letter thus analysed by us, we see- 1. The influence of good ea:ample. 11 The evil that men do lives after them." So, sometimes, does the good (Prov. x. 7). See the effect here, on the decisions of Darius, of the previous decisions of Cyrus.* Is not the whole appeal of Heb. xi. an appeal, in fact, to influence of this kind? "By faith II the many illustrious "elders" there mentioned II obtained a good report ; 11 i. e. were justified before God. To this truth they are "witnesses 11 (Heh. xii. 1). Let us try the same plan. Every man adds to that II cloud "-to its size, to its splendour, to its influence-who seeks and finds salvation in a similar way. 2. The importance of written records. What hope would there have been for the Jews, humanly speaking, if there had been no written document in this case to appeal to, but only the recollection of certain scat- tered survivors as to some proclamation of former days? or only the report of what some of these survivors had said in their time? How, indeed, could the good ex- ample of Cyrus have told on Darius except by the channel of commwiication pro- vided in his written decree? We can hardly be too thankful for the Scriptures of truth (see 2 Pet. i. 15; also the constant "it is written" of Luke iv. 4, 8, &c.). 3. The wisdom of waiting upon God. Often, as in this case, the "vision " may seem to ".tarry" at first. But" at the end it shall speak, and not lie" (Hab. ii. 3). Rather, as in the present instance again, the answer may only have grown riper meanwhile. This applies to difficulties connected with God's providential dealings, whether with communities or individual souls. Also to difficulties connected with Scripture itself. A first search, as in this instance, like the first or second interposi- tions of Moses on behalf of Israel, may only seem to make matters worse (Exod. ii. 11-15; v. 20-23). But bow more than satisfactory, bow glorious, bow triumphant the end l "God is his own interpreter, and he will make it plain l 11 4. The thorou.glme,ss of God's work. "The time to favour Zion, yea, the set time, is come " ( see Ps. cii. 13, a psalm written not improbably not far from this date). See bow it pleases God to speak for her, that being the case. With what fulness of provision, with what minuteness of detail, with what tenderness of consideration-by the voice of the living, by the influence of the dead. The Persian king is made to speak as though almost an Israelite himself. At any rate, if he had been, he could scarcely have displayed greater knowledge of the Jewish worship, greater familiarity with their creed (comp., further, ver. 9 with Exod. xxix. 40; Lev. ii. 13; Ezra iii. 3, and the previous notes on that verse, and begin. of ver. 12 with Deut. xii. 11 ; 1 King8 viii. 29, &c.). Even so is it with all those who put themselves into the way of favour by coming under the ample conditions of the covenant of the gospel. They will find it, indeed, as David speaks (2 Sam. xxiii. 5), "ordered in all things and sure." There is nothing really needed, nothing really desirable, however arduous, however insignificant, which it has not already thought of, specified, and secured (Ps. x.xxvii. 28; Matt. x. 30; Rom. viii. 28; Phil. iv. 19; Col. ii. 10).
• The fact, refon·ed to by Wordsworth, that the eastern gate of the restored temple wos cnlled the Shushan gate, and had a sculpture on it of the city of Susa, in grateful commemor- ation of the iRsning of this decree of Darius from that city, may also Le noticetl in this connection. G 2 8-1. THE BOOK OF EZRA. [CH. VI. 1-12.