EZRA CHAPTER 9 Ezra and others, hearing of the unlawful marriage of the people with strangers, mourn for it, EZRA 9:1. He prayeth unto God, and confesseth their sins, and particularly this, EZRA 9:5. THE PRINCES; who feared God, and understood that Ezra was come with large commission from the king,... [ Continue Reading ]
This they had done, either, 1. In the land of their captivity, into which these people were carried as well as others, as appears from JEREMIAH 25:9, &c. Or rather, 2. Since their return, as may be gathered from EZRA 9:8,9,10,14. THE PRINCES AND RULERS; who should have restrained the people from t... [ Continue Reading ]
MY GARMENT AND MY MANTLE; both my inner and my upper garment. PLUCKED OFF THE HAIR OF MY HEAD, AND OF MY BEARD, in testimony of my great grief and indignation; which was usual among all these eastern and ancient people, wherein he did not transgress that law, LEVITICUS 19:27 DEUTERONOMY 14:1, becaus... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN WERE ASSEMBLED UNTO ME; to join with me both in lamenting the sin, and in endeavouring the redress of it. EVERY ONE THAT TREMBLED AT THE WORDS OF THE GOD OF ISRAEL, i.e. who stood in awe of God, and of his word, and durst not violate his commands; or who feared his threatenings against those th... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM MY HEAVINESS, i.e. from that mournful posture, EZRA 8:4, and put myself into the posture of a petitioner. Or, BY REASON OF MY HEAVINESS, OR AFFLICTION. Having mourned for the sin, I considered that was not sufficient, and that God expected the confession and amendment of it, and therefore I fel... [ Continue Reading ]
He includes himself in the number of the transgressors, not only by a rhetorical figure called communication, but partly because he himself was guilty of many sins; and partly because the princes and priests, and so many of the people, having done this, the guilt was now become national. INCREASED O... [ Continue Reading ]
WE HAVE BEEN IN A GREAT TRESPASS UNTO THIS DAY: we are not purged from the guilt and filth of our fathers sins, but we are still feeling the sad effects of their sins in the continuing captivity of a great number of our brethren; and we are still repeating the same sins.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW FOR A LITTLE SPACE: it is but a little while since God hath delivered and restored us, and yet we are already returned to our former sin and folly. Or thus, We have enjoyed this favour but a little while, and now we are sinning it away, and shortening our own happiness. TO LEAVE US A REMNANT TO... [ Continue Reading ]
WE WERE BONDMEN, i.e. in greater bondage than that in which we now are. HATH EXTENDED MERCY UNTO US IN THE SIGHT OF THE KINGS OF PERSIA, i.e. hath given us to find favour in their eyes. TO GIVE US A REVIVING; to recover us from the grave of dreadful calamities, in which we lay like dead men and dry... [ Continue Reading ]
What apology can we make for ourselves, after thou hast conferred such great and high favours upon us, and we have so grossly abused them?... [ Continue Reading ]
AN UNCLEAN LAND WITH THE FILTHINESS OF THE PEOPLE: this notes the cause or matter of this uncleanness. The land was not unclean in itself, but only polluted by the filthiness of its inhabitants. OF THE LANDS; or, of these lands which are round about it. This land is as corrupt as any of the rest of... [ Continue Reading ]
NOR SEEK THEIR PEACE; but root them out, as I have commanded you to do; which also they have abundantly deserved, both of mine and of your hands. See DEUTERONOMY 7:2. THAT YE MAY BE STRONG: although you may fancy that this way of making leagues and marriages with them is the only way to establish an... [ Continue Reading ]
After all our sore sufferings for our sins, and after all thy favour showed to us in the mitigation of thy judgments. SUCH DELIVERANCE AS THIS; so full, so sudden, and unexpected, and amazing, not only to our enemies, but also to ourselves.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHOULD WE AGAIN BREAK THY COMMANDMENTS? was this a fit and just requital of all thy kindnesses? or was this thy end and design in these actions? or wilt thou take this well from our hands? THERE SHOULD BE NO REMNANT NOR ESCAPING: can we reasonably expect any thing from thee less than utter ruin?... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU ART RIGHTEOUS; a just and holy God, who dost hate, and wilt infallibly punish, sin and sinners. Or, _thou art merciful_, as appears from hence, that notwithstanding all our sins, thou hast not utterly destroyed us, but left a remnant of us. The Hebrew word here rendered _righteous_, is oft used... [ Continue Reading ]