Ezra 9:15

REFLECTIONS

PAUSE, Reader, over this chapter, and mark in strong characters on your mind the distinguishing love of God to Israel. The Lord by prophecy had pointed out their distinction ages before. They were to dwell alone, and not be reckoned among the nations. And from everlasting it had been so determined upon. In the gracious purposes of God in covenant relation, they were set apart to be known by their distinguishing peculiarity and character. And their happiness consisted in this; their singularity was to be their singular honor. They were to be a nation of priests, distinguished with peculiar sacrifices, peculiar duties, peculiar privileges, peculiar blessings: a people near to God and set apart for himself. Judge, then, the awful apostacy when Israel forgot her blessings, mercies, privileges, and above all, the God of her fathers, and mingled the holy seed with the idolatrous nations around. Reader! let the thought be suitably impressed upon your mind as one of the spiritual seed of Israel. Are not believers in Christ peculiarly set apart and formed for Jesus glory? Are they not a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people. Doth not Jesus mark them for his own; make them kings and priests to God and the Father; the purchase of his blood, the subjects of his grace, and the token, gift, and pledge of the Father's love? And what ought to be the immediate consequence of these distinguishing mercies, but to show forth the praises of him who hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light. Who in times past were not a people, but are now the people of God; who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Let me only add one thought more on this sweet chapter. Who can behold Ezra thus acting as the intercessor for Israel, but must instantly call to mind that Great High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ, in this glorious, all-prevailing office, in whose eventful death and intercession all the high priests under the law found favor and acceptance with God. Yes! blessed Jesus! to thee would I unceasingly direct my attention. Now, even now, thou wearest thy priesthood still; appearest in a vesture dipped in blood, to denote the sure efficacy of thine high office, and that thou ever livest to make intercession for sinners. Let me never open thy blessed scriptures at any part, read a page, or verse, of thy several servants ministering, without an eye to thee. Thou art the sum and substance of all their services. The whole law, and the whole priesthood, were but a shadow of good things to come. In thee the whole centers; and the whole is completed for the salvation of sinners, and the glory of God in Jesus Christ.