The Pulpit Commentary — Ezra — Section 100

Vers. 1-10.-The exodus under Ezra. "After these thini·s," viz., the events which culminated in the dedication of the temple, and consequent ordering of the service o~ God. "In t~e rei~ of Artaxerxes king of Persia," after an interval of nearly su1:y .. years, ~l.J.-:1Ilg wh1ch the ~o.use of the Lord _had so fallen into disrepair as to need "beautifying, 11 and the civil state of the children of the restoration had be- come disordered, and needed readjustment. With these purposes, and with a view to leading back to Jud1Ba another detachment of Israelites, Ezra received a com- mission from the king. In the text- I. HE AUTHENTICATES HIMSELF AS THE LEADER OF THIS EXODUS. 1. He evinces his socw,l qualiji,ca.ti=. (1) He announces himself as " the son of Seraiah." This was the high priest who was killed by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings xxv. 18, 21). Ezra was not immeduitely his son, for even supposing him to have been born the year of Seraiah 's death, that would make him now 122 years of age I The immediate son of Seraiah who went into captivity was Jehozadak (1 Chron. vi. 14, 15). Ezra, there- fore, was probably the grandson or great-grandson of Jehozadak, and nephew or grand-nephew to Jeshua, the high priest who accompanied Zerubbahel. By calling himself " the son of Seraiah" he seems to have claimed now to be in some sort his representative. Jeshua was probably deceased. This stepping over intermediate generations has other examples in this list (vers. 1-5), for it only reckons sixteen from Seraiah to Aaron, whereas, according to 1 Chron. vi., there are twenty-two. (2) Lineage is not without religious as well as civil advantages. Sons of Aaron onlv could officiate as priests. It was of substantial advantage to have descent trom Abraham when temporal blessings of the covenant were limited to his seed, for these ~ere not without their relation to the spiritual, though these are limited to the children of his faith. Children of godly persons are generally those who keep up the succession of the Church both in its membership and ministry (see Isa. lxv. 23). 2. He evinces his moral qualiji,ca.ti=s. "He was a ready scribe," &c. (1) This law is distinguished as that "which the Lord God of Israel had given." The solemnities of Sinai and the miracles of the first exodus are here called to mind. Such a glorious authentication can be pleaded in favour of no other system of religion. Buddhism ? Hinduism ? Confucianism ? Mahommedanism? (2) This is the law, therefore, to be studied. Its author, God. Its matter, truth the most sublime. Its spirit, holiness. Its end, heaven. (3) A ready scribe (not a skilful penman only, but an able expounder also) of such a law has the noblest qualifications to be a leader of men. 3. He evinces his political quali.fi,cati.on. (1) He had the commission of the king. '' The king granted him all hie request." There was great advantage in this, viz., to influence the Jews to muster, to influence the heathen to aid them. (2) This he had " according to the good hand of the Lord his God upon him." By God's blessing he had wisdom to influence the king. That blessing also disposed the king to listen (eh. vi. 22). Note-God is in everything good ; it is our duty to discern this. II. HE RELATES THE SUCCESS OF ms UNDERTAKING. 1. In the muster. (1) He had " some of the children of Israel." Those who came to his standard were volunteers (see ver. 13). They numbered 1773 adult males, which with a propor- tionate number of women.and children would make 9000 persons. (2) Amongst these were persons of influence. There wei::e " priests and Levites." Of these last some were of the families of the "singers" and of the ''porters." (3) There were also N ethinime deecendauts of those "whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites 11 ( eh. viii. 20). The limitation of particular functions to familiea tends to perfect efficiency. The service of God in all its departments should be the most efficient. 2. In thejourney. (1) Incidents are scantily given. The time occupied Cll. Vil, 1-10.] THE BOOK OF EZRA. 105