The Pulpit Commentary — Ezra — Section 92

r THE RF,JOICING WAS OYER TRE FINISHED WORK. 1. It was (ho end of all their fml. (1) The end, in being the consummation towards which they wI"Ought. So will the heavenly state be to all true workers in the Church of God. (2) Also the end, in the sense of bringing their toil to its period. The labour of twenty long years was now closed. No more straining of muscles in felling of cedars in Leba- non. No more sweat of the face in lifting great stones. No more endurance of cruel mock:ings and violent persecutions. So when we gain our reward II there will be no more curse" (Rev. =i. 3-5). 2. It was the triumph of their faith and lwpe. (1) The word of God sustained them against opposition from the rulers and from the rabble. It nerved them under the discouragements of threats and violence. So amidst vicissitudes for twenty years they plodded on. Now they reap the rewi.r<l of their constancy. (2) So has the Church of God been carried up stone by stone amidst opposition from princes and people. Amidst poverty and perplexity. With interruptions and threatenings. But it is destined to witness a magnificent sequel (see Rev. xxi. 1, 2, 9, &c.). (3) The history of the Church has its epitome in the experience of its members. Their constant faith will reap its reward too in the heights of the heavenly Zion. II. THEY REJOICED OVER IMMENSE SACRIFICES. 1. There were peace offerings for the dedication. (l) The number of the victims was 100 bullocks and 600 smaller animals, viz., 200 rams and 400 lambs. At the dedication of Solomon's temple the sacrifices were 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep (see 1 Kings viii. 63). Yet this immo- lation does not compare unfavourably. Here were only 50,000 Jews as against say 10,000,000 Israelites in the days of Solomon, or 1 to 200. Multiply these victims by 200, and they scarcely difl'er in number from those offered at the earlier dedica- tion (see also eh. viii. 35). Consider also the difference in their circumstances (see 2 Cor. viii. 2, 3). Well might they rejoice in their religious zeal. (2) Correspond- ing to this enormous slaughter, there will be in connection with the dedication to God of his glorified Church a fearful sacrifice of his enemies. These judgments began upon the antichristian Jews (see Jer. :x:ix. 6, 7). They will culminate in the destruction of the Antichrist of Gentiledom (see Isa. =iv. 1-7; Ezek. xxxix. 17-20). If mercy rejoices, it rejoices upon judgment (not II against" it) ; as the ark of mercy rode upon the flood of judgment (see Rev. xx:ii. 15). 2. There were sin offerings for all I srad. (1) 11 Twelve he-goats according to the number of the tribes." The ?lumber of the victims sacrificed for the tribes at the dedication of Solomon's temple is not mentioned (2 Chron. vii. 4). (2) Why for II all Israel," when so large a part of the ten tribes remained in their dispersion? Perhaps an expression of faith in those promises which speak of a full restoration of " all the house of Israel wholly" ( see Ezek. xi. 14-20). This restoration was but an instalment of the ultimate restoration even of Jndah. (3) Atonement necessary to the acceptableness of services. The II children of the captivity" had a lively remembrance of the miseries they had suffered through sin. The redeemed in heaven will sing of Calvary (Rev. v. 8-13). Ill. TREY REJOICED OVEB THE. OBDEBING OF THE SERVICE OF GOD. 1. The priests were distributed into their divisions. (1) These II divisions" are also called courses (2 Chron. viii. 14). They were twenty-four in number, and so ordered by David (1 Chron. :xxiv. 1-5). They served in turn, under the direction of the high priest, and on entering this service were ceremoni.llly sanctified (2 Chron. v. 11). Example in the <;ase of Zach~rias (see Luke i. 5, 8) .. (2) There w~l ~e supr~me order in the service of God m heaven. 2. The Lemtes also were d1stnbuted mto courses. (1) David, the type of his infinitely more illustrious Son, gave this ordi- nance likewise (1 Chron. xx:iii. 3-6). (2) Their services were (a) those connected with sacrifice (2 Chron. x:xxi 2). (b) Supervising matters pertainmg to the temple. (c) Keeping the doors of. the h?use o~ the Lord .. (a) Leading_ the /raise i_n_ the worship of God. 3. Believers in Ohrut are the pnests and Levites o the spmtual sanctuary. (1) They offer continual sacrifices of prayer, of praise, of servi~e. (2) Everything which e,oncems th~ house of God concerns them. ~he servu~e t~ey render is therefore joyful service. We should welcome holy ordmances with JOY (Ps. c. 2).-J. A. M. OR, \'I. 13-22.] THE BOOK OF EZRA. 97