mh_parser/vol_split/15 - Ezra/Chapter 6.xml

<div2 id="Ez.vii" n="vii" next="Ez.viii" prev="Ez.vi" progress="90.74%" title="Chapter VI">
<h2 id="Ez.vii-p0.1">E Z R A</h2>
<h3 id="Ez.vii-p0.2">CHAP. VI.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Ez.vii-p1">How solemnly the foundation of the temple was laid
we read in <scripRef id="Ez.vii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.3.1-Ezra.3.13" parsed="|Ezra|3|1|3|13" passage="Ezr 3:1-13"><i>ch.</i>
iii.</scripRef> How slowly the building went on, and with how much
difficulty, we found in <scripRef id="Ez.vii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.4.1-Ezra.5.17" parsed="|Ezra|4|1|5|17" passage="Ezr 4:1-5:17"><i>ch.</i>
iv. and v.</scripRef> But how gloriously the topstone was at length
brought forth with shoutings we find in this chapter; and even we,
at this distance of time, when we read of it, may cry, "Grace,
grace to it." As for God, his work is perfect; it may be slow work,
but it will be sure work. We have here, I. A recital of the decree
of Cyrus for the building of the temple, <scripRef id="Ez.vii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.1-Ezra.6.5" parsed="|Ezra|6|1|6|5" passage="Ezr 6:1-5">ver. 1-5</scripRef>. II. The enforcing of that decree
by a new order from Darius for the perfecting of that work,
<scripRef id="Ez.vii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.6-Ezra.6.12" parsed="|Ezra|6|6|6|12" passage="Ezr 6:6-12">ver. 6-12</scripRef>. III. The
finishing of it thereupon, <scripRef id="Ez.vii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.13-Ezra.6.15" parsed="|Ezra|6|13|6|15" passage="Ezr 6:13-15">ver.
13-15</scripRef>. IV. The solemn dedication of it when it was built
(<scripRef id="Ez.vii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.16-Ezra.6.18" parsed="|Ezra|6|16|6|18" passage="Ezr 6:16-18">ver. 16-18</scripRef>), and the
handselling of it (as I may say) with the celebration of the
passover, <scripRef id="Ez.vii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.19-Ezra.6.22" parsed="|Ezra|6|19|6|22" passage="Ezr 6:19-22">ver. 19-22</scripRef>.
And now we may say that in Judah and Jerusalem things went well,
very well.</p>
<scripCom id="Ez.vii-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6" parsed="|Ezra|6|0|0|0" passage="Ezr 6" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ez.vii-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.1-Ezra.6.12" parsed="|Ezra|6|1|6|12" passage="Ezr 6:1-12" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Ezra.6.1-Ezra.6.12">
<h4 id="Ez.vii-p1.10">The Favourable Decree of
Darius. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ez.vii-p1.11">b. c.</span> 519.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ez.vii-p2">1 Then Darius the king made a decree, and search
was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid
up in Babylon.   2 And there was found at Achmetha, in the
palace that <i>is</i> in the province of the Medes, a roll, and
therein <i>was</i> a record thus written:   3 In the first
year of Cyrus the king <i>the same</i> Cyrus the king made a decree
<i>concerning</i> the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be
builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the
foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore
cubits, <i>and</i> the breadth thereof threescore cubits;   4
<i>With</i> three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber:
and let the expenses be given out of the king's house:   5 And
also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which
Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which <i>is</i> at
Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again
unto the temple which <i>is</i> at Jerusalem, <i>every one</i> to
his place, and place <i>them</i> in the house of God.   6 Now
<i>therefore,</i> Tatnai, governor beyond the river,
Shethar-boznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which
<i>are</i> beyond the river, be ye far from thence:   7 Let
the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews
and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place.
  8 Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of
these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the
king's goods, <i>even</i> of the tribute beyond the river,
forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not
hindered.   9 And that which they have need of, both young
bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God
of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment
of the priests which <i>are</i> at Jerusalem, let it be given them
day by day without fail:   10 That they may offer sacrifices
of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of
the king, and of his sons.   11 Also I have made a decree,
that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down
from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and
let his house be made a dunghill for this.   12 And the God
that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and
people, that shall put to their hand to alter <i>and</i> to destroy
this house of God which <i>is</i> at Jerusalem. I Darius have made
a decree; let it be done with speed.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.vii-p3">We have here, I. The decree of Cyrus for
the building of the temple repeated. To this the Samaritans
referred because the Jews pleaded it, and perhaps hoped it would
not be found, and then their plea would be over-ruled and a stop
put to their work. Search was ordered to be made for it among the
records; for, it seems, the tribes had not taken care to provide
themselves with an authentic copy of it, which might have stood
them in good stead, but they must appeal to the original. It was
looked for in Babylon (<scripRef id="Ez.vii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.1" parsed="|Ezra|6|1|0|0" passage="Ezr 6:1"><i>v.</i>
1</scripRef>), where Cyrus was when he signed it. But, when it was
not found there, Darius did not make that a pretence to conclude
that therefore there was no such decree, and thereupon to give
judgment against the Jews; but it is probable, having himself heard
that such a decree was certainly made, he ordered the rolls in
other places to be searched, and at length it was found at
Achmetha, in the province of the Medes, <scripRef id="Ez.vii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.2" parsed="|Ezra|6|2|0|0" passage="Ezr 6:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. Perhaps some that durst not
destroy it, yet hid it there, out of ill will to the Jews, that
they might lose the benefit of it. But Providence so ordered that
it came to light; and it is here inserted, <scripRef id="Ez.vii-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.3-Ezra.6.5" parsed="|Ezra|6|3|6|5" passage="Ezr 6:3-5"><i>v.</i> 3-5</scripRef>. 1. Here is a warrant for the
building of the temple: <i>Let the house of God at Jerusalem,</i>
yea, <i>let that house be built</i> (so it may be read), within
such and such dimensions, and with such and such materials. 2. A
warrant for the taking of the expenses of the building out of the
king's revenue, <scripRef id="Ez.vii-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.4" parsed="|Ezra|6|4|0|0" passage="Ezr 6:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>.
We do not find that they had received what was here ordered them,
the face of things at court being soon changed. 3. A warrant for
the restoring of the vessels and utensils of the temple, which
Nebuchadnezzar had taken away (<scripRef id="Ez.vii-p3.5" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.5" parsed="|Ezra|6|5|0|0" passage="Ezr 6:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), with an order that the priests,
the Lord's ministers, should return them all to their places in the
house of God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.vii-p4">II. The confirmation of it by a decree of
Darius, grounded upon it and in pursuance of it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.vii-p5">1. The decree of Darius is very explicit
and satisfactory.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.vii-p6">(1.) He forbids his officers to do any
thing in opposition to the building of the temple. The manner of
expression intimates that he knew they had a mind to hinder it:
<i>Be you far hence</i> (<scripRef id="Ez.vii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.6" parsed="|Ezra|6|6|0|0" passage="Ezr 6:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>); <i>let the work of this house of God alone,</i>
<scripRef id="Ez.vii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.7" parsed="|Ezra|6|7|0|0" passage="Ezr 6:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. Thus was the
wrath of the enemy <i>made to praise God</i> and the remainder
thereof did he restrain.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.vii-p7">(2.) He orders them out of his own revenue
to assist the builders with money, [1.] For carrying on the
building, <scripRef id="Ez.vii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.8" parsed="|Ezra|6|8|0|0" passage="Ezr 6:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>.
Herein he pursues the example of Cyrus, <scripRef id="Ez.vii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.4" parsed="|Ezra|6|4|0|0" passage="Ezr 6:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. [2.] For maintaining the
sacrifices there when it was built, <scripRef id="Ez.vii-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.9" parsed="|Ezra|6|9|0|0" passage="Ezr 6:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. He ordered that they should be
supplied with every thing they wanted both for burnt-offerings and
meat-offerings. He was content it should be a rent-charge upon his
revenue, and ordered it to be paid every day, and this without
fail, that they might offer sacrifices and prayers with them (for
the patriarchs, when they offered sacrifice, <i>called on the name
of the Lord,</i> so did Samuel, Elijah, and others) for the life
(that is, the happiness and prosperity) of the king and his sons,
<scripRef id="Ez.vii-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.10" parsed="|Ezra|6|10|0|0" passage="Ezr 6:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. See here how
he gives honour, <i>First,</i> To Israel's God, whom he calls once
and again the <i>God of heaven. Secondly,</i> To his ministers, in
ordering his commissioners to give out supplies for the temple
service at the appointment of the priests. Those that thought to
control them must now be, in this matter, at their command. It was
a new thing for God's priests to have such an interest in the
public money. <i>Thirdly,</i> To prayer: <i>That they may pray for
the life of the king.</i> He knew they were a praying people, and
had heard that God was nigh to them in all that which they called
upon him for. He was sensible he needed their prayers and might
receive benefit by them, and was kind to them in order that he
might have an interest in their prayers. It is the duty of God's
people to pray for those that are in authority over them, not only
for the good and gentle, but also for the forward; but they are
particularly bound in gratitude to pray for their protectors and
benefactors; and it is the wisdom of princes to desire their
prayers, and to engage them. Let not the greatest princes despise
the prayers of the meanest saints; it is desirable to have them for
us, and dreadful to have them against us.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.vii-p8">(3.) He enforces his decree with a penalty
(<scripRef id="Ez.vii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.11" parsed="|Ezra|6|11|0|0" passage="Ezr 6:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>): "Let none
either oppose the work and service of the temple or withhold the
supports granted to it by the crown upon pain of death. If any
alter this decree, let him be (<i>hanged before his own door</i> as
we say), hanged upon a beam of his own house, and, as an execrable
man, <i>let his house be made a dunghill.</i>"</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.vii-p9">(4.) He entails a divine curse upon all
those kings and people that should ever have any hand in the
destruction of this house, <scripRef id="Ez.vii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.12" parsed="|Ezra|6|12|0|0" passage="Ezr 6:12"><i>v.</i>
12</scripRef>. What he would not do himself for the protection of
the temple he desired that God, <i>to whom vengeance belongs,</i>
would do. This bespeaks him zealous in the cause; and though this
temple was, at length, most justly destroyed by the righteous hand
of God, yet perhaps the Romans, who were the instruments of that
destruction, felt the effects of this curse, for that empire
sensibly declined ever after.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.vii-p10">2. From all this we learn, (1.) That the
heart of kings is in the hand of God, and he turns it which way
soever he pleases; what they are he makes them to be, for he is
<i>King of kings.</i> (2.) That when God's time has come for the
accomplishing of his gracious purposes concerning his church he
will raise up instruments to promote them from whom such good
service was not expected. <i>The earth sometimes helps the
woman</i> (<scripRef id="Ez.vii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.12.16" parsed="|Rev|12|16|0|0" passage="Re 12:16">Rev. xii. 16</scripRef>),
and those are made use of for the defence of religion who have
little religion themselves. (3.) That what is intended for the
prejudice of the church has often, by the overruling providence of
God, been made serviceable to it, <scripRef id="Ez.vii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Phil.1.12" parsed="|Phil|1|12|0|0" passage="Php 1:12">Phil. i. 12</scripRef>. The enemies of the Jews, in
appealing to Darius, hoped to get an order to suppress them, but,
instead of that, they got an order to supply them. Thus <i>out of
the eater comes forth meat.</i> The apocryphal Esdras (or Ezra),
<scripRef id="Ez.vii-p10.3">Book I. <i>ch.</i> iii. and iv.</scripRef>, gives another account of
this decree in favour of the Jews, that Darius had vowed that if
ever he came to the kingdom he would build the temple at Jerusalem,
and that Zerubbabel, who was one of his attendants (whereas it is
plain here that he was now at Jerusalem), for making an ingenious
discourse before him on that subject (<i>Great is the truth and
will prevail</i>), was told to ask what recompence he would, and
asked only for this order, in pursuance of the king's vow.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ez.vii-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.13-Ezra.6.22" parsed="|Ezra|6|13|6|22" passage="Ezr 6:13-22" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Ezra.6.13-Ezra.6.22">
<h4 id="Ez.vii-p10.5">Completion of the Second
Temple. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ez.vii-p10.6">b. c.</span> 516.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ez.vii-p11">13 Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river,
Shethar-boznai, and their companions, according to that which
Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.   14 And the
elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the
prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo.
And they builded, and finished <i>it,</i> according to the
commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment
of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.   15 And
this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which
was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.   16
And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the
rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this
house of God with joy,   17 And offered at the dedication of
this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four
hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he
goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.   18
And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in
their courses, for the service of God, which <i>is</i> at
Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.   19 And the
children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth
<i>day</i> of the first month.   20 For the priests and the
Levites were purified together, all of them <i>were</i> pure, and
killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for
their brethren the priests, and for themselves.   21 And the
children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all
such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of
the heathen of the land, to seek the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ez.vii-p11.1">Lord</span> God of Israel, did eat,   22 And kept
the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ez.vii-p11.2">Lord</span> had made them joyful, and turned the
heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands
in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.vii-p12">Here we have, I. The Jews' enemies made
their friends. When they received this order from the king they
came with as much haste to encourage and assist the work as their
predecessors had done to put a stop to it, <scripRef id="Ez.vii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.4.23" parsed="|Ezra|4|23|0|0" passage="Ezr 4:23"><i>ch.</i> iv. 23</scripRef>. What the king ordered they
did, and, because they would not be thought to do it with
reluctance, they <i>did it speedily,</i> <scripRef id="Ez.vii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.13" parsed="|Ezra|6|13|0|0" passage="Ezr 6:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. The king's moderation made
them, contrary to their own inclination, moderate too.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.vii-p13">II. The building of the temple carried on,
and finished in a little time, <scripRef id="Ez.vii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.14-Ezra.6.15" parsed="|Ezra|6|14|6|15" passage="Ezr 6:14,15"><i>v.</i> 14, 15</scripRef>. Now the <i>elders of the
Jews built</i> with cheerfulness. For aught I know, the elders
themselves laboured at it <i>with their own hands;</i> and, if they
did, it was no disparagement to their eldership, but an
encouragement to the other workmen. 1. They found themselves bound
to it <i>by the commandment of the God of Israel,</i> who had given
them power that they might use it in his service. 2. They found
themselves shamed into it by the commandment of the heathen kings,
Cyrus formerly, Darius now, and Artaxerxes some time after. Can the
elders of the Jews be remiss in this good work when these foreign
princes appear so warm in it? Shall native Israelites grudge their
pains and care about this building when strangers grudge not to be
at the expense of it? 3. They found themselves encouraged in it by
the prophesying of Haggai and Zechariah, who, it is likely,
represented to them (as bishop Patrick suggests) the wonderful
goodness of God in inclining the heart of the king of Persia to
favour them thus. And now the work went on so prosperously that, in
four years' time, it was brought to perfection. <i>As for God, his
work is perfect.</i> The gospel church, that spiritual temple, is
long in the building, but it will be finished at last, when the
mystical body is completed. Every believer is a <i>living temple,
building up himself in his most holy faith.</i> Much opposition is
given to this work by Satan and our own corruptions. We trifle, and
proceed in it with many stops and pauses; but he that has <i>begun
the good work</i> will see it performed, and will <i>bring forth
judgment unto victory. Spirits of just men</i> will be <i>made
perfect.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.vii-p14">III. The dedication of the temple. When it
was built, being designed only for sacred uses, <i>they showed by
an example how it should be used,</i> which (says bishop Patrick)
is the proper sense of the word <i>dedicate.</i> They entered upon
it with solemnity and probably with a public declaration of the
separating of it from common uses and the surrender of it to the
honour of God, to be employed in his worship. 1. The persons
employed in this service were not only <i>the priests and
Levites</i> who officiated, but <i>the children of Israel,</i> some
of each of the <i>twelve tribes,</i> though Judah and Benjamin were
the chief, and <i>the rest of the children of the captivity</i> or
<i>transportation,</i> which intimates that there were many besides
the children of Israel, of other nations, who transported
themselves with them, and became proselytes to their religion,
unless we read it, <i>even the remnant of the children of the
captivity,</i> and then, we may suppose, notice is hereby taken of
their mean and afflicted condition, because the consideration of
that helped to make them devout and serious in this and other
religious exercises. A sad change! The <i>children of Israel</i>
have become <i>children of the captivity,</i> and there appears but
a remnant of <i>them,</i> according to that prediction (<scripRef id="Ez.vii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.7.3" parsed="|Isa|7|3|0|0" passage="Isa 7:3">Isa. vii. 3</scripRef>), <i>Shear-jashub—The
remnant shall return.</i> 2. The sacrifices that were offered upon
this occasion were <i>bullocks, rams, and lambs</i> (<scripRef id="Ez.vii-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.17" parsed="|Ezra|6|17|0|0" passage="Ezr 6:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>), for burnt-offerings
and peace-offerings; not to be compared, in number, with what had
been offered at the dedication of Solomon's temple, but, being
according to their present ability, they were accepted, for,
<i>after a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy,
and their deep poverty, abounded to the riches of their
liberality,</i> <scripRef id="Ez.vii-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.8.2" parsed="|2Cor|8|2|0|0" passage="2Co 8:2">2 Cor. viii.
2</scripRef>. These hundreds were more to them than Solomon's
thousands were to him. But, besides these, they offered twelve
he-goats for sin-offerings, one for every tribe, to make atonement
for their sins, which they looked upon as necessary in order to the
acceptance of their services. Thus, by getting iniquity taken away,
they would free themselves from that which had been the sting of
their late troubles, and which, if not removed, would be a worm at
the root of their present comforts. 3. This service was performed
with joy. They were all glad to see the temple built and the
concerns of it in so good a posture. Let us learn to welcome holy
ordinances with joy and attend on them with pleasure. Let us serve
the Lord with gladness. Whatever we dedicate to God, let it be done
with joy that he will please to accept of it. 4. When they
dedicated the house they settled the household. Small comfort could
they have in the temple without the temple service, and therefore
they <i>set the priests in their divisions</i> and <i>the Levites
in their courses,</i> <scripRef id="Ez.vii-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.18" parsed="|Ezra|6|18|0|0" passage="Ezr 6:18"><i>v.</i>
18</scripRef>. Having set up the worship of God in this dedication,
they took care to keep it up, and made <i>the book of Moses</i>
their rule, to which they had an eye in this establishment. Though
the temple service could not now be performed with so much pomp and
plenty as formerly, because of their poverty, yet perhaps it was
performed with as much purity and close adherence to the divine
institution as ever, which was the true glory of it. No beauty like
the beauty of holiness.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ez.vii-p15">IV. The celebration of the passover in the
newly-erected temple. Now that they were newly delivered out of
their bondage in Babylon it was seasonable to commemorate their
deliverance out of their bondage in Egypt. Fresh mercies should put
us in mind of former mercies. We may suppose that they had kept the
passover, after a sort, every year since their return, for they had
an altar and a tabernacle. But they were liable to frequent
disturbances from their enemies, were straitened for room, and had
not conveniences about them, so that they could not do it with due
solemnity till the temple was built; and now they made a joyful
festival of it, it falling out in the next month after the temple
was finished and dedicated, <scripRef id="Ez.vii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.19" parsed="|Ezra|6|19|0|0" passage="Ezr 6:19"><i>v.</i>
19</scripRef>. Notice is here taken, 1. Of the purity of the
priests and Levites that <i>killed the passover,</i> <scripRef id="Ez.vii-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.20" parsed="|Ezra|6|20|0|0" passage="Ezr 6:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>. In Hezekiah's time the
priests were many of them under blame for not purifying themselves.
But now it is observed, to their praise, that <i>they were purified
together, as one man</i> (so the word is); they were unanimous both
in their resolutions and in their endeavours to make and keep
themselves ceremonially clean for this solemnity; they joined
together in their preparations, that they might help one another,
so that all of them were pure, to a man. The purity of ministers
adds much to the beauty of their ministrations; so does their
unity. 2. Of the proselytes that communicated with them in this
ordinance: <i>All such as had separated themselves unto them,</i>
had left their country and the superstitions of it and cast in
their lot with the Israel of God, and had <i>turned from the
filthiness of the heathen of the land,</i> both their idolatries
and immoralities, <i>to seek the Lord God of Israel</i> as their
God, did eat the passover. See how the proselytes, the converts,
are described. They separated themselves from the filthiness of sin
and fellowship with sinners, joined themselves with the Israel of
God in conformity and communion, and set themselves to seek the God
of Israel; and those that do so in sincerity, though strangers and
foreigners, are welcome to eat of the gospel feast, as
<i>fellow-citizens with the saints and of the household of God.</i>
3. Of the great pleasure and satisfaction wherewith they <i>kept
the feast of unleavened bread,</i> <scripRef id="Ez.vii-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.6.22" parsed="|Ezra|6|22|0|0" passage="Ezr 6:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>. <i>The Lord had made them
joyful,</i> had given them both cause to rejoice and hearts to
rejoice. It was now about twenty years since the foundation of this
temple was laid, and we may suppose the old men that then wept at
the remembrance of the first temple were most of them dead by this
time, so that now there were no tears mingled with their joys.
Those that are, upon good grounds, joyful, have therefore reason to
be thankful, because it is God that <i>makes them to rejoice.</i>
He is the fountain whence all the streams of our joy flow. God has
promised to all those who take hold of his covenant that <i>he will
make them joyful in his house of prayer.</i> The particular
occasion they had for joy at this time was that God had <i>turned
the heart</i> of the emperor to them, to <i>strengthen their
hands.</i> If those that have been, or who we feared would have
been, against us, prove to be for us, we may rejoice in it as a
token for good, that <i>our ways please the Lord</i> (<scripRef id="Ez.vii-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.16.7" parsed="|Prov|16|7|0|0" passage="Pr 16:7">Prov. xvi. 7</scripRef>), and he must have the
glory of it.</p>
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