aversion to the abominations of the Egyptians from which he was delivered (Exod. xii. 17; xiii. 3). These Jews would associate with the abominations of Egypt those of Babylon from which they were now delivered. (2) The Eucharist is our feast of unleavened bread. Those who partake of this should put away all leaven of heresy (Matt. xvi. 16). All notorious and scandalous living (1 Cor. v. 6, 7). All malice and wickedness of the heart (1 Cor. i. 8). 3. The feast was kept with joy. (1) With the joy ordinarily fitting to such an occasion. They kept it " seven days," and therefore with its "holy convocations" on the first and last days. Holy convoca- tions to godly persons are essentially joyous. They anticipate the convocation in the heavens. (2) But they had special reason for rejoicing. "For the Lord had made them joyful by turning the heart of the king of Assyria unto them to strengthen their hands," &c. The Persian monarchs are here collectively called the "king of Assyria" because they were rulers over the ancient Assyrian territory. (Note-May not this suggest the key to many prophecies which evidently relate in their fuller expression to the latter times, in which names of ancient kingdoms are still used ?) The finishing of their temple was. an occasion of great joy. There is no joy to be compared with that which the Lord makes for us. II. TnE PREPARATION. 1. The priests were purified, and the Levites were all of them pure. The state of things was now as it had been in the days of Hezekiah, when the passover had to be held in the second month because the priests had not sufficiently sanctified themselves to hold it at the more proper time (2 Chron. xxx. 3). Note-When the spiritual temple is complete the priests and Levites-the saints of God -will be all morally pure. 2. All the children of the captivity were pure. (1) This is evident from the fact that the passover was killed for them all (ver. 20). The second passover was instituted to meet the case of those who through ceremonial uncleanness were incapable of taking the first (see Num. ix. 6-11). Here there was no need of 11 second, for the whole nation was ceremonially clean. This was a very remarkable circumstance, and shows what a wonderful providence was over their families, for a dead body in a house was sufficient to render its inmates unfit for this feast (see Num. xix. 14). What a type of the glorified Church I The JOY of the paschal feast when it is renewed in the kingdom of God will not be interrupted by death. All there will be pure in the noblest sense. 3. Believing Gentiles were joined with their Jewish brethren (ver. 21). They were qualified for this holy fellowship-(1) By "separating themselves from the filthiness of the heathen land." Some m.ay have come with them from Babylon, as the mixed multitude came up from Egypt (see Exod. xii. 38; Neh. xiii. 3). Some may have been "people of the land," de- scendants of Esar-haddon's importation ( eh. iv. 2). But they must have become Jewish proselytes. (2) By "seeking the Lord God of Israel." True worship and salvation are nowhere else to be found (see John iv. 22). At whatever sacrifice, let us seek the fellowship of the saints (Eph. ii. 13-22).-J. A. M.
PART II. SECOND RETURN OF THE ISRAELITES FROM CAPTIVITY UNDER EZRA.
§ 1. DECREE OF ARTAXERXES, AND RETURN UNDER EznA, Wl'l'H THE NUMBERS OP THOSE WHO RETURNED, AND THE NAMES OF THE CHmF MEN.
EXPOSITION. his son Xerxes, probably the .Aha.suerus of CHAPTER VII. Esther, had also lived and reigned e.nd FIFTY-SEVEN yee.rs after the completion of pe.ssed away, e.nd the grandson of Darius. the temple e.nd its dedication, when the long known generally a.s Artnxerxes Longimanus, and eventful reign of Darius was over, and occupied tho Persian throne, n further ref.um H2 100 THE BOOK OF EZRA. [en. vn. 1-10.