their 11ssistants; (a') as to character, being all men of resolution and purpose whose "names" (end ver. 20) would be given as those of men whose minds were rdade up. Also, among these, two especially of much note, viz., Sberebiah and Hashabiah (comp. ver. 24, and Neh. viii. 7; ix. 4; x. 11, 12; xii. 24), the first named especially being II man of such acknowledged judgment and learning that his coming was regarded as II special mark of God's providential goodness (so we understand with many, begin. ver. 18). Thus conspicuously were the "last first;" thus happily were the vacant places in Ezra's company, as it were, more than supplied-Ezra himself being judge. In CONCLUSION, we may see here-1. How important religious movements often begin, viz., with the comparatively undistinguished, the rnnk and file. So with John the Baptist (Matt. xxi. 26), and our Lord himself (Mark xii. 37; John vii. 48). Both cases seem referred to in Matt. xxi. 31, 32. 2. How they are often perfected after- wards, viz., by the coming in then of distinguished persons assuming the lead of the whole. So amongst those baptized by John came Jesus among the last (Luke iii. 21). See, also, in regard to the burial of Christ, bow the two "counsellors," Joseph and Nicodemus, then interfered. And, finally, in the preaching of the gospel, how Paul was "born" last and became the first (1 Cor. xv. 8-10; 2 Cor. xi. 5, 23, &c. ; Gal. ii. 5, 8). 3. How all so assisting have their peculiar points, both good and evil. Some are to be praised for forwardness (2 Cor. ix. 2), some for steadiness when begun ; some to be blamed for backwardness, some for fickleness, as the Galatians. So John is first to reach the sepulchre, Peter first to go in. 4. How perfect the impartiality of the Scriptural record. All this, so little to the credit of the Levites, written by a Levitical hand. Comp. story of Gen. x:xxiv., also xlix. 5-7, as recorded by Moses, himself a Levite. 5. How devoutly humble its spirit. Every advantage is attributed to the good band of our God (1 Cor. xv. 10; Ps. cxv. 1; Phil. ii. 13).
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS.
Vers. 1-20.-The Church preparing itself for dutp. I. THAT IT 1s PREPARED BY COMING OUT FROM A HUMILIATING CAPTIVITY. " This lS the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon" (ver. 1). Ezra and bis comrades must quit the scene of their captivity before they can carry the sacred vessels to Jerusalem ; the Church must arise and leave its moral Babylon before it can serve God in successful enterprise. II. THAT IT IS PREPARED BY PRAYERFUL SOLITUDE. "To the river that runneth to Ahava" (ver. 15). 1. Sacred solitude. Not the solitude of the misanthrope. 2. Prayerful solitude. Seeking guidance before setting out for Jerusalem. 3. Thoughtful solitude. Counting the cost of the journey to Jerusalem. 4. Active solitude. Ezra inspected the people and the priests, and finding none of the sons of Levi, success- fully sent for them. 5. Friendly solitude. The companionships of heaven were with Ezra and bis company by the river. Such solitude cannot fail to prepare ths Church for duty. III. THAT IT IS PREPARED BY THE PROVIDENTIAL GIFT OF TALENT (ver. 18). 1. Talent required. Ezra inspected bis company. God requires ability in the work of bis Church. Ministers should see that the Church has the requisite capability for its work. 2. Talent varied. "The people, the priests, the Levites." The Church needs combined capabilities ; the lower as well us the higher ; the Levites as well as the priests. 3. Talent absent. "And found there none of the sons of Levi." 4. Talent sought. Ministers should endeavour to bring talent into the Church. 5. Talent obtained providentially. "And by the good band of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding." Thus God prepares the Church for duty. IV. THAT IT 1B PREPARED BY THE ENERGY OF ONE DEVOUT MAN. "And I gathered them together" (ver. 15). Who was this man? He was a" ready scribe." He had "prepared bis heart to seek the law of the Lord" ( eh. vii. 10). Such men ure com- petent to prepare the Church for duty; they have first prepared themselves. 1. The power of sunctified individuality in the Church. 2. The use God makes of a sanc- tified individuality in the Church. 3. The wisdom of a sanctified individuality in 126 THE BOOK OF EZRA. [CH, \'III. 1--20.
tbe Church. It discovers the absent Levites. 4. The authority of a sanctified individuality in the Church. It sends for the Levites and they come.-E.