Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Ezra
Book: Ezra
Chapter: 8
Overview:
The companions of
Ezra.
(1-20) Ezra implores
God's blessing.
(21-23) Treasures committed to the priests.
(24-30) Ezra arrives
at
Jerusalem.
(31-36)
1-20 Ezra assembles the outcasts of
Israel, and the dispersed
of
Judah.
God raised up the spirits of a small remnant to
accompany him. What a pity that good men should omit a good
work, for want of being spoken to!
21-23 Ezra procured Levites to go with him; but what will that
avail, unless he have
God with him? Those who seek
God, are safe
under the
Shadow of his wings, even in their greatest dangers;
but those who forsake him, are always exposed. When entering
upon any new state of
Life, our care should be, to bring none of
the guilt of the sins of our former condition into it. When we
are in any peril, let us be at peace with
God, and then nothing
can do us any real hurt. All our concerns about ourselves, our
families, and our estates, it is our
Wisdom and duty,
By Prayer
to commit to
God, and to leave the care of them with him. And,
On some occasions, we should decline advantages which are within
our reach, lest we should cause others to stumble, and
So our
God be dishonoured. Let us ask
Wisdom of
God, that we may know
how to use or to refuse lawful things. We shall be
No losers
By
venturing, suffering, or giving up for the
Lord's sake. Their
prayers were answered, and the event declared it. Never have any
that sought
God in
Earnest, found that they sought him in vain.
In times of difficulty and danger, to set a season apart for
secret or for social
Prayer, is the best method for relief we
can take.
24-30 Do we expect that
God should,
By his
Providence, keep
that which belongs to us, let us,
By his
Grace, keep that which
belongs to him. Let
God's honour and interest be our care; and
then we may expect that our lives and comforts will be his.
31-36 Enemies laid wait for the Jews, but
God protected them.
Even the common perils of journeys,
Call us to go out with
Prayer, and to return with praise and thanksgiving. But what
shall we render when the
Lord has led us safely through the
pilgrimage of
Life, through the gloomy vale of
Death, out of the
reach of all our enemies, into
Everlasting happiness! Among
their sacrifices they had a
Sin-Offering. The
Atonement sweetens
and secures every
Mercy to us, which will not be truly
comfortable, unless
Sin be taken away, and our peace made with
God. Then had the
Church Rest. The expressions here used, direct
us to the deliverance of sinners from spiritual
Bondage, and
their pilgrimage to the heavenly
Jerusalem, under the care and
protection of their
God and
Saviour.