The Pulpit Commentary — Ezra — Section 101

wne four months (ver. 9). It appears to have been, at leaetfor the able-bodied, a march; for whence could carriages be procured for the transport of 9000 persons? Amongst the requisites they were provided with they had tents for their encampment ( eh. viii. 15). During their pilgrimage their hearts would be in Zion. So the Christian pilgrim on this earth, &c. (2) If incidents are not particularly given, the success of the enterprise is, most emphatically. They "went up from Babylon" and "came to Jerusalem" (vers. 6, 8, 9). Far better go up from the mystic Babylon to the mystic Jerusalem than reverse the journey, as too many do. Ezra had not only the skill to plan an exodus, but also the energy to carry it out. Many a good thought perishes for lack of executive ability. Happy ie the coincidence of noble thoughts and noble deeds. 3. In the blessing of God. (1) Ezra "sought the law of the Lord." No study more remunerative-more ennobling-more pleasing to God. (2) He sought it in earnest. " Prepared his heart," viz., by raising it above impure prejudices; by seeking the light of the great Inspirer in prayer. (3) He reduced it to practice. He prepared hie heart " to do it." Glorious example. His life was therefore righteous, and his influence consequently great- viz., (a) With God. (b) With the king. (c) With the people. (4) And "he taught 1t to Israel." He taughtlerael the" statutes," viz., precepts and "judgmente," viz., sanctions (1 Kings vi. 12; Ezek. xi. 12). What a degenerate succession from the noble Ezra were the scribes of our Lord's day I Let us emulate his qualities.- J. A. M. Vers. 1-10.-.Ezra: his character and work. The study of human character and of human life is not only an essential part of human knowledge, but of spiritual culture. Biography is a means of grace. We do well to follow in thought the lines along which the noblest of our race have moved: we are thereby attracted toward them, and grow up toward their spiritual stature. We may learn from the life and character of Ezra by considering- !. WHAT WE KNOW HE WAS AND DID. He was-1. .A priest,, claiming descent, as we see, from Aaron (ver. 5); and we doubt not that he discharged, faithfully and conscientiously, the duties of the priesthood. He was, moreover, what came to be called-2. .A scribe (ver. 6), i. e. (1) a student, (2) an interpreter, and (3) a copyist of the law. Ezra "prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach," &c. (ver 10). These three functions of the scribe include the three most important duties a man can undertake: viz., (1) hie duty to himself, in studying the will of God as revealed in his word, that he may have it in his own heart ; and, (2) his duty to 'his own generation, in teaching hie fellows what he has learned: in inter- preting, in "giving the sense" (N eh. viii. 8), in "teaching statutes and judgments" (ver. 10), i. e. in declaring and enforcing the great truths which God had revealed, especially those which affected the duty and the prospects of the Jewish people; and (3) his duty to his race, in copying, and thus multiplying and preserving intact the word and the very words of God. Ezra "gave his heart" to this (ver. 10), and the result was that he did it with conspicuous and commanding ability (Neh. viii.). He was a "ready scribe" (ver. 6). 3. Administrator and reformer. He conducted the party whom he headed to Jerusalem in peace and safety (ver. 8); there he established himself ae leader of the people, and set about the work of reforming abuses with a vigorous hand. Hie ardour led to a servicP.able organisation and reform. He seems also to have been, ae few strong-willed men are, a co-operator with others. He acted with Nehemiah, the governor, and it may well have been difficult to define strictly their respective offices. 4. Man of injf,uence with his fellows. There was that about him, due to the elevation and disinterestedness of his character as well as to the vigour and robustness of his mind, which gave him strange influence with the king, so that he gave him leave to lead out a large return party, and also entrusted him with large powers in the commission. Men who, like Ezra, earnestly seek the will of God and do what they know to be right (ver. 10), and lay themselves out for " doing good and communicating" (Heh. xiii. 16), are likely to have power with men. 5. Man througli whom God wrought. "The hand of the Lord his God was upon him" (vers. 6, 9, &c.). His soul felt the quickening touch of the Divine fingl,r, and it kindled with n sacred glow of piety and zeal. He was moved of God to  106 THE BOOK OF EZRA. [ou, vn. 1-10.