The Pulpit Commentary — Ezra — Section 88

Vers. 13-15.-T/ie successful issue. The vicissitudes through which the building of the temple was carried to its completion figure forth those of the spiritu11l temple of the Church. This eventful history teaches- I. THAT Gon's PURPOSES WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED. 1. This truth is exemplified in the .~eation. (1) A. univ~rse sprang. into ~eing in. obedience to his voice (Ps. x:x:xm. 9). (2) It serves his purposes m all its complicated movement (Ps. cxlvii. 7-9, 15-18; cxlviii. ; Col. i. 17). 2. This truth is also exemplified in propliecy. (1) The temple was finished in accordance with prophecy (Isa. xliv. 27, 28). The events which prepared the way were also pre-indicated (see also Jer. I. and li. ). These are samples. The whole subject of prophecy proves that God governs the moral world by a plan. (2) This plan must comprehend all possible contingencies that may arise from the action of free beings. There is a limit to all freedom except that of God. His absolute freedom ultimately limits all that is relative. Lesson-To attempt to resist the will of God is indeed madness. II. THAT Gon HONOURS HIS WILLING SERVANTS. 1. He gives them an interut in his work. "They prospered," viz., in the success of God's work. (1) They obeyed his commandment because it was his. Love to God animated their zeal. (2) Thereby their own moral nature became ennobled. 2. He encourages them by his appromng vou;e. "They prospered through the prophesying of Haggai," &c. (1) His word supplies the noblest motives. To the true servant of God nothing is trifling; he does all to the glory of God. This stamps the most ordinary things with sublimity. (2) His word gives wisdom, viz., to sustain them in his work against the prudence of the world (see eh. v. 5). Also to answer prudently•in the face of the enemy (see eh. v. 11-15). Prophecy in Christian sanctuaries is a grand thing for business men. 3. He crowns their labours with success. (1) There may be, there will be, vicissitudes in the way. Even in these there is real success when the signs of it are not visible. (2) But the issue is sure. The sequel will be glorious. Lesson-Trust God when you cannot trace him. III. Gon M.l..KES UNLIKELY PERSONS EIIS WILLING SERVANTS. 1. Several Medo- l'ersian ldngs were such. (1) These were worshippers of the elements. Why Hiiould they favour the worship of Jehovah, who had humiliated their idolatry by defeating their gods? The miracles of the Old Testament in general were levelled against Sabian.ism. (2) Political as well as religious reasons would render it un- likely that tLey should favour the return of the Jews. They succeeded to the place of the Babylonish kings, and might be presumed to follow up the policy of Nebu- chadnezzar. (3) But God found means to move the heart of Cyrus. Darius also was moved by him to follow his great predecessor. Thie he was the more disposed to by nature of the laws of the Medes and Persians, which alter not. Artaxerxes Longimanus, in after years, rendered his service to the people of God. 2. Perhaps Tatnai was another example. (1) He was unlikely inaem.uch as he had been moved by the enemies of Israel. But he seems to have had little sympathy with their malice. (2) The "speedy" obedience which he rendered to the decree of Darius may have, been cheerful. Lesson-Let no one despair of the power of the gospel to convert unlikely sinners. IV. THAT Goo MAKES UNWILLING PERSONS SERVE EIIS PURPOSES. The "people o/ tke land" were in this category. (1) Their opposition was undoubted. Their conduct hitherto proved this. Their enmity was transmitted to their posterity (see Neh. ii. 9, 10, 19; iv. 1-3; vi. 16; John iv. 9). (2) But their opposition was overruled for good. It brought the necessities of Israel, occasioned by the neglect of the decree of Cyrus, under the notice of Darius. The enemies now had to pay and collect taxes to supply those necessities. They do this too "speedily," not because they love God, but because they fear the king (see vers. 11, 12). So God "makes the wrath of man to praise him." Better we should praise him with a loyal heart. "When a man's ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him."-J. A. M. CH, VI. 13-22.) 'l'HE BOOK OF EZRA. 93