The Pulpit Commentary — Ezra — Section 109

are sovernl things, therefore, under this aspect that we may note of Ezra at this timo. 1. His courage. It was never a light thing, and not alwayR a safe thing for any man, and especially for one of n nation of captives, to stand and speak there (comp. Prov. xvi. 14; Neh. ii. 2; Esther iv. 11, end of ver. 16, &c.). Also, 2. His /aitlifulness. Whence that acknowledgment on the part of this king and his council (ver. 25) of the "wisdom" of Ezra's God; that special respect for the "law" of the same God (vers. 11, 14, 21, 25, 26); also, perhaps, that special acquaintance, as in the case of Darius in eh. vi. 9, of what was required for Jehovah's sacrifices (ver. 22); and that notable fear of his judgments (ver. 23; comp. vi. 10)-except in part, at least, from Ezra's previous words on these points (see also what is said afterwards in eh. viii. 22). These many widely-scattered points of reflected light argue some common source of light of much size and potency. Not a little light had there been from him to them, before so much in so public a manner from them to him. 3. His patrwtism. Why was all this said and asked? Why so much as this so freely risked? For Jerusalem's and Israel's sake. It was in going to Judah and Jeru- salem (ver. 14), and in the welfare of God's people (ver. 25), that he was known to be interested. All that is offered him turns upon this, because all that he requested, and all the arguments by which he had supported his request, had previously turned on it too. It is thus, therefore, that we must think of this Ezra pleading at this time, before those who then ruled the world, on behalf of a captive people, and in the name (to his hearers) of a strange divinity. The history is silent as to what particular occasion led to his doing so (contrast case of Neh. i. 2, 3; ii. 2-5); but the characteristics which enabled him to do so are patent enough. How bold a man, bow faithful a witness, how true an Israelite he appears I II. BEFORE THE WORLD. How great was Ezra's success in thus pleading beforo Artaxerxes, the decree before us informs us next. That decree was the king's reply to his pleadings. It was the " commission" which he received in consequence. Observe, as such-1. How exclusive its application. It is a commission to Ezra in person (see "Artaxerxes unto Ezra" in ver. 12; also beginning of ver. 25 ; also the repetition of "thee," "thou," and "thy" all throughout). It is addressed, in fact, almost to Ezra alone ; certainly to no one else beside him, except as being either appointed by him (ver. 25), or commanded to assist him (ver. 21), or associated with him (ver. 18). It says to him throughout, "Thou art the man." 2. How weighty its character. Ezra being, so to speak, its terminus ad quem, where, on the other hand, was its terminus a quo. Not from any subordinate, but the king (king of kings he calls himself, ver. 12) ; not even from the king alone, e.nd therefore, possibly, only as an individual and in a private manner, but from "the king and his seven counsellors" (ver. 14)-the "queen in council," as we should say-and therefore, in fact, from all the authority of the Persian empire as represented by such. "All the empire to Ezra." That is the virtual heading of this decree. 3. How ample its provisions. Whoever Ezra wished for as a companion (ver. 13), whatever Ezra could find to take before starting (ver. 16), whatever Ezra wished to do (ver. 18), whatever more he might find afterwards to be needful (ver. 20), whatever even, within certain most liberal limits (ver. 22), he might think fit to require (ver. 21)- there was the same injunction about all. Just so he might have, or take, or do, or ordain on his :part; and just so others were to do for him upon theirs. 4. HO'W cordial its spirit. How was this shown? By the magnitude, cheerfulness, and thoughtfulness of the presents made him (vers. 15, 20); by the "speediness" and "diligence " enjoined both on Ezra himself (ver. 17) and on those who help him ver. 21), and on all concerned in doing anything for the good of God's house ver. 23) ; by the specie.I and, up till then, unexampled exemption from any ~ascription of tax secured for every minister of •that house, down to the lowest (ver. 24, where observe the "also," e.s though the king had been thinking how else he could shqw his good will); by the intelligent sympathy shown in ver. 26 with Ezra's special anxiety to teach all Israel the le.w of hio God ; e.nd, finally, by the thorough determination shown in ver. 26 to regard and " speedily' punish all who opposed Ezra in that matter as offenders against the kin~ him• Pelf. (Note-" The law of thy God, and the law of the king.") In all these ways does this whole document present Ezra to tho world us "the man wham EZRA, I 114 THE BOOK OF EZRA. [cH. VII. 11-28,