Ezra 9:1
CONTENTS In the prosecution of Ezra's commission, he makes discovery that the people of God had formed affinity with strangers. This calls forth great distress. Ezra seeketh to God in solemn prayer upon the occasion.... [ Continue Reading ]
CONTENTS In the prosecution of Ezra's commission, he makes discovery that the people of God had formed affinity with strangers. This calls forth great distress. Ezra seeketh to God in solemn prayer upon the occasion.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Lord hath expressly commanded (Deuteronomy 7:1.) that there should be no intermarriages between Israel and the nations around. Chiefly, no doubt, with an eye to Christ. God's people were a nation of priests, an holy seed, a peculiar people, a royal priesthood. Therefore this mingling with the he... [ Continue Reading ]
What a finished picture hath the Holy Ghost here drawn of a saint of God; silent under the heavy affliction of soul, arising from indignation at the awful calamity. The rending the garment, and the plucking of the hair, were strong expressions of an holy zeal for God's honor, and an holy sorrow for... [ Continue Reading ]
I would have the Reader observe, that until the hour of the evening sacrifice, the man of God expressed the perturbations of his mind in humble silence. Neither the rending of the garment, nor the mantle, could expiate the offence. Not all the silence, and humbleness of soul, could atone for it, or... [ Continue Reading ]
Reader! what sweet and gracious signs of sorrow, and of real communion with God. The blushing, and dropping countenance, under the conscious sense of the divine presence, are among the truest tokens of this state of the soul. Reader! do not fail to remark the precious lesson held forth to all true b... [ Continue Reading ]
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... [ Continue Reading ]