The Pulpit Commentary — Ezra — Section 151

most no.tural course of proceeding. Only, in short, let all those concerned " covenant with their,God" to o.ct in this manner, and it would evidently be possible for them to become free of this plague. (2) The case was one in which such a remedy was quite lawful. They would not be endeavouring, by the proposed procesA, to get rid of one sin by another. The plan proposed, in fact, was the "counsel" of Ezra him- self. Either he had to.ught as much beforehand in explaining generally the Law of Moses, or they understood as much now from his actions, or from some unrecorded words of his o.t this time. In any case, as being his counsel, it was the counsel of an adequate authority-of one to be addressed as " my Lord "-on thia subject. It was also the counsel of all those among the people who were known for their pro- found and even IC trembling" reverence for the commandment of God, There could be no doubt, therefore, if this remedy should be adopted, that all "would be," or "would happen" (so Lange), according to the law. (3) The proposed remedy was also feasible-another capital point. There was a fitting person to undertake its application, viz., Ezra himself. "This matter belongeth unto thee." It is the kind of thing we expect from thee ; it is within thy commission to do it. There were those also ready to assist him, when once the thing was begun-even the speaker himself and his friends. One can imagine all that IC great" and penitent " congrega- tion" murmuring their willing assent at this point; and the speaker, in consequence, feeling enabled to assure him that he would be sure to succeed if he tried. " We also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it" (ver. 4). III. HOPEFUL RESOLVES. The proposal and declaration of Shechaniah were great points gained-very great-but they did not embrace all. The nail was driven through. It ~till required to be clenched. A mere vague and general willingness to assist in so extra0rdinarily difficult and invidious a task, and one affecting so many persons in so painful and (in their eyes, perhaps) so inquisitorial a manner, would never be sufficient to carry that task through. The people assembled, therefore, must be solemnly pledged and, as it were, bound over to the undertaking. What better time for so doing than that very moment before they dispersed? What better place than that very spot in front of God's house? What better manner than with Jehovah as witness, and b:r a solemn oath in his name? Such, accordingly, was the next thing done. "Then arose Ezra "-then at last, so it seems to signify, as though feeling at last that he could exert himself to some purpose-" and made them swear to do according to this word." "Chief priests, and Levites, and all Israel," he made them all swear, for they were all concerned in it ; and were all required to help, also, in so great an enterprise. When he let them disperse, therefore, it was with the legitimate feeling, doubtless, that a beginning, at least, had been made. There was a great and dreadful evil, it was true, in their midst. But there was also among them a great and influential body who had been brought to feel it most acutely, and who had also been pledged to a distinct plan for removing it in the name of Jehovah himself. So far, in much sorrow, there was also some hope. Observe here, in conclusion, how we find in all true repentance-I. The idea of cessation. "Repentance is that whereby we forsake sin." "If I have done iniquity, I will do so r>o more" (Job x:xxiv. 32). A well-known children's hymn teaches that, on this point, which many adults never learn- " Repentance means to leave The sins we loved before ; .And show that we in earnest grieve, By doing so no more." 2. The idea of urgency and promptness. 11 I made haste, and delay1Jd not, to keep thy commandments," &c. (Pa. cxix. 59, 60). 3. The idea of restitution, or of undo- ing the evil done, so far as lies in our power (Luke xix. 8 ; Acts ix. 2, 22 ; xi.x. 19; Eph. iv. 28). 4. But not the idea, m any way, of propitiation or atonement thereby. It is noticeable, rather, how the language employed seems to avoid this idea. The evil done to Israel by contracting such marriages can be undone (in part) by dissolving them; but as to the position of the people, in consequence, before God, they have nothing to urge (ix. 15. See, also, as understood by some, Ps. ~ix. 7 i Mutt. xvi. end 26 ; Luke vii. 42).  158 THE BOOK OF EZRA. [CH. X. 1-44,