526 lines
24 KiB
HTML
526 lines
24 KiB
HTML
<HTML>
|
|
<HEAD>
|
|
<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Ezra, Chapter I].</TITLE>
|
|
<meta name="aesop" content="information">
|
|
<meta name="description" content=
|
|
"This site is for those friends and family members who may or may not know Our Lord Jesus Christ, and if not, they may come to know Our Lord through His Prophets."> <meta name="author" content="Brian Duncalfe">
|
|
<meta name="keywords" content=
|
|
"Prophecy, Rapture,hope,bible map,bible maps, God, tribulation,Second Coming,Christ,large print bible,commentary,complete">
|
|
</HEAD>
|
|
<body background="../sueback.jpg" bgproperties="fixed" >
|
|
<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
|
|
on the Whole Bible</h1>
|
|
<h3><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank">Back to Biblesnet.com Home Page</a>
|
|
</h3>
|
|
</center>
|
|
|
|
<HR>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
|
|
<TR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC15000.HTM">Previous</A>]
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC15002.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
|
Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
|
|
</TD></TR></TABLE>
|
|
<HR>
|
|
|
|
<!-- (Begin Body) -->
|
|
|
|
<CENTER>
|
|
<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>E Z R A</B></FONT>
|
|
<BR>
|
|
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. I.</FONT>
|
|
<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
|
|
</CENTER>
|
|
|
|
<FONT SIZE=-1>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
In this chapter we have,
|
|
|
|
I. The proclamation which Cyrus, king of Persia, issued out for the
|
|
release of all the Jews that he found captives in Babylon, and the
|
|
building of their temple in Jerusalem,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+1:1-4">ver. 1-4</A>.
|
|
|
|
II. The return of many thereupon,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+1:5,6">ver. 5, 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
III. Orders given for the restoring of the vessels of the temple,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+1:7-11">ver. 7-11</A>.
|
|
|
|
And this is the dawning of the day of their deliverance.</P>
|
|
|
|
</FONT>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr1_1"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr1_2"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr1_3"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr1_4"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Proclamation of Cyrus.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 536.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word
|
|
of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
|
|
stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a
|
|
proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and <I>put it</I> also in
|
|
writing, saying,
|
|
2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God of heaven hath
|
|
given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to
|
|
build him a house at Jerusalem, which <I>is</I> in Judah.
|
|
3 Who <I>is there</I> among you of all his people? his God be with
|
|
him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which <I>is</I> in Judah, and
|
|
build the house of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God of Israel, (he <I>is</I> the God,)
|
|
which <I>is</I> in Jerusalem.
|
|
4 And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let
|
|
the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and
|
|
with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the
|
|
house of God that <I>is</I> in Jerusalem.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
It will be proper for us here to consider,
|
|
|
|
1. What was the state of the captive Jews in Babylon. It was upon many
|
|
accounts very deplorable; they were under the power of those that hated
|
|
them, had nothing they could call their own; they had no temple, no
|
|
altar; if they sang psalms, their enemies ridiculed them; and yet they
|
|
had prophets among them. Ezekiel and Daniel were kept distinct from the
|
|
heathen. Some of them were preferred at court, others had comfortable
|
|
settlements in the country, and they were all borne up with hope that,
|
|
in due time, they should return to their own land again, in expectation
|
|
of which they preserved among them the distinction of their families,
|
|
the knowledge of their religion, and an aversion to idolatry.
|
|
|
|
2. What was the state of the government under which they were.
|
|
Nebuchadnezzar carried many of them into captivity in the first year of
|
|
his reign, which was the fourth of Jehoiakim; he reigned forty-five
|
|
years, his son Evil-merodach twenty-three, and his grandson Belshazzar
|
|
three years, which make up the seventy years. So Dr. Lightfoot, It is
|
|
charged upon Nebuchadnezzar that he <I>opened not the house of his
|
|
prisoners,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+14:17">Isa. xiv. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
And, if he had shown mercy to the poor Jews, Daniel told him it would
|
|
have been the <I>lengthening of his tranquillity,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+4:27">Dan. iv. 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
But the measure of the sins of Babylon was at length full, and then
|
|
destruction was brought upon them by Darius the Mede and Cyrus the
|
|
Persian, which we read of,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+5:31">Dan. v.</A>
|
|
|
|
Darius, being old, left the government to Cyrus, and he was employed as
|
|
the instrument of the Jews' deliverance, which he gave orders for as
|
|
soon as ever he was master of the kingdom of Babylon, perhaps in
|
|
contradiction to Nebuchadnezzar, whose family he had cut off, and
|
|
because he took a pleasure in undoing what he had done, or in policy,
|
|
to recommend his newly-acquired dominion as merciful and gentle, or (as
|
|
some think) in a pious regard to the prophecy of Isaiah, which had been
|
|
published, and well known, above 150 years before, where he was
|
|
expressly named as the man that should do this for God, and for whom
|
|
God would do great things
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+44:28,45:1">Isa. xliv. 28; xlv. 1</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c.), and which perhaps was shown to him by those about him. His name
|
|
(some say) in the Persian language signifies the <I>sun,</I> for he
|
|
brought light and healing to the church of God, and was an eminent type
|
|
of Christ the <I>Sun of righteousness.</I> Some was that his name
|
|
signifies a <I>father,</I> and Christ is the everlasting Father. Now
|
|
here we are told,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Whence this proclamation took its rise. <I>The Lord stirred up the
|
|
spirit of Cyrus.</I> Note, The hearts of kings are in the hand of the
|
|
Lord, and, like the rivulets of water, he turneth them which way soever
|
|
he will. It is said of Cyrus that he knew not God, nor how to serve
|
|
him; but God knew him, and how to serve himself by him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+45:4">Isa. xlv. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
God governs the world by his influence on the spirits of men, and,
|
|
whatever good is done at any time, it is God that stirs up the spirit
|
|
to do it, puts thoughts into the mind, gives to the understanding to
|
|
form a right judgment, and directs the will which way he pleases.
|
|
Whatever good offices therefore are, at any time, done for the church
|
|
of God, he must have the glory of them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The reference it had to the prophecy of Jeremiah, by whom God had
|
|
not only promised that they should return, but had fixed the time,
|
|
which set time to favour Sion had now come. Seventy years were
|
|
determined
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+25:12,29:10">Jer. xxv. 12; xxix. 10</A>);
|
|
|
|
and he that kept the promise made concerning Israel's deliverance out
|
|
of <I>Egypt to a day</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:41">Exod. xii. 41</A>)
|
|
|
|
was doubtless as punctual to this. What Cyrus now did was long
|
|
since said to be the <I>confirming of the word of God's servants,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+44:26">Isa. xliv. 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
Jeremiah, while he lived, was hated and despised; yet thus did
|
|
Providence honour him long after, that a mighty monarch was influenced
|
|
to act in pursuance of the word of the Lord by his mouth.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The date of this proclamation. It was in his first year, not the
|
|
first of his reign over Persia, the kingdom he was born to, but the
|
|
first of his reign over Babylon, the kingdom he had conquered. Those
|
|
are much honoured whose spirits are stirred up to begin with God and to
|
|
serve him in their first years.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. The publication of it, both by word of mouth (he <I>caused a voice
|
|
to pass throughout all his kingdom,</I> like a jubilee-trumpet, a
|
|
joyful sabbatical year after many melancholy ones, proclaiming liberty
|
|
to the captives), and also in black and white: he put it in writing,
|
|
that it might be the more satisfactory, and might be sent to those
|
|
distant provinces where the ten tribes were scattered in Assyria and
|
|
Media,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+17:6">2 Kings xvii. 6</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
V. The purport of this proclamation of liberty.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The preamble shows the causes and considerations by which he was
|
|
influenced,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+1:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
It should seem, his mind was enlightened with the knowledge of
|
|
<I>Jehovah</I> (for so he calls him), the God of Israel, as the only
|
|
<I>living and true God,</I> the <I>God of heaven,</I> who is the
|
|
sovereign Lord and disposer of all <I>the kingdoms of the earth;</I> of
|
|
him he says
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+1:3">(<I>v.</I> 3</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>He is the God,</I> God alone, God above all. Though he had not known
|
|
God by education, God made him so far to know him now as that he did
|
|
this service with an eye to him. He professes that he does it,
|
|
|
|
(1.) In gratitude to God for the favours he had bestowed upon him:
|
|
<I>The God of heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the earth.</I>
|
|
This sounds a little vain-glorious, for there were <I>many kingdoms of
|
|
the earth</I> which he had nothing to do with; but he means that God
|
|
had given him all that was given to Nebuchadnezzar, whose dominion,
|
|
Daniel says, was <I>to the end of the earth,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+4:22,5:19">Dan. iv. 22; v. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, God is the fountain of power; the kingdoms of the earth are at
|
|
his disposal; whatever share any have of them they have from him: and
|
|
those whom God has entrusted with great power and large possessions
|
|
should look upon themselves as obliged thereby to do much for him.
|
|
|
|
(2.) In obedience to God. He hat <I>charged me to build him a house at
|
|
Jerusalem;</I> probably by a dream or vision of the night, confirmed by
|
|
comparing it with the prophecy of Isaiah, where his doing it was
|
|
foretold. Israel's disobedience to God's charge, which they were often
|
|
told of, is aggravated by the obedience of this heathen king.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He gives free leave to all the Jews that were in his dominions to go
|
|
up to Jerusalem, and to <I>build the temple of the Lord</I> there,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+1:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
His regard to God made him overlook,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The secular interest of his government. It would have been his
|
|
policy to keep so great a number of serviceable men in his dominions,
|
|
and seemed impolitic to let them go and take root again in their own
|
|
land; but piety is the best policy.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The honour of the religion of his country. Why did he not order
|
|
them to build a temple to the gods of Babylon or Persia? He believed
|
|
the God of Israel to be the <I>God of heaven,</I> and therefore obliged
|
|
his Israel to worship him only. Let them <I>walk in the name of the
|
|
Lord their God.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. He subjoins a brief for a collection to bear the charges of such as
|
|
were poor and not able to bear their own,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+1:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
"Whosoever remaineth, because he has not the means to bear his charges
|
|
to Jerusalem, <I>let the men of his place help him.</I>" Some take it
|
|
as an order to the king's officers to supply them out of his revenue,
|
|
as
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+6:8"><I>ch.</I> vi. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
But it may mean a warrant to the captives to ask and receive the alms
|
|
and charitable contributions of all the king's loving subjects. And we
|
|
may suppose the Jews had conducted themselves so well among their
|
|
neighbours that they would be as forward to accommodate them because
|
|
they loved them as the Egyptians were because they were weary of them.
|
|
At least many would be kind to them because they saw the government
|
|
would take it well. Cyrus not only gave his good wishes with those that
|
|
went (<I>Their God be with them,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+1:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
|
|
|
|
but took care also to furnish them with such things as they needed. He
|
|
took it for granted that those among them who were of ability would
|
|
offer their <I>free-will offerings for the house of God,</I> to promote
|
|
the rebuilding of it. But, besides that, he would have them supplied
|
|
out of his kingdom. Well-wishers to the temple should be well-doers for
|
|
it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr1_5"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr1_6"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr1_7"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr1_8"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr1_9"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr1_10"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ezr1_11"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>5 Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin,
|
|
and the priests, and the Levites, with all <I>them</I> whose spirit
|
|
God had raised, to go up to build the house of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> which
|
|
<I>is</I> in Jerusalem.
|
|
6 And all they that <I>were</I> about them strengthened their hands
|
|
with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts,
|
|
and with precious things, beside all <I>that</I> was willingly
|
|
offered.
|
|
7 Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of
|
|
the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of
|
|
Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;
|
|
8 Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand
|
|
of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar,
|
|
the prince of Judah.
|
|
9 And this <I>is</I> the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a
|
|
thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives,
|
|
10 Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second <I>sort</I> four
|
|
hundred and ten, <I>and</I> other vessels a thousand.
|
|
11 All the vessels of gold and of silver <I>were</I> five thousand
|
|
and four hundred. All <I>these</I> did Sheshbazzar bring up with <I>them
|
|
of</I> the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto
|
|
Jerusalem.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We are here told,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. How Cyrus's proclamation succeeded with others.
|
|
|
|
1. He having given leave to the Jews to go up to Jerusalem, many of
|
|
them went up accordingly,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+1:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
The leaders herein were the <I>chief of the fathers</I> of Judah and
|
|
Benjamin, eminent and experienced men, from whom it might justly be
|
|
expected that, as they were above their brethren in dignity, so they
|
|
should go before them in duty. The priests and Levites were (as became
|
|
them) with the first that set their faces again towards Zion. If any
|
|
good work is to be done, let ministers lead in it. Those that
|
|
accompanied them were such as God had inclined to go up. The same God
|
|
that had raised up the spirit of Cyrus to proclaim this liberty raised
|
|
up their spirits to take the benefit of it; for it was done, <I>not by
|
|
might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+4:6">Zech. iv. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
The temptation perhaps was strong to some of them to stay in Babylon.
|
|
They had convenient settlements there, had contracted an agreeable
|
|
acquaintance with the neighbours, and were ready to say, <I>It is good
|
|
to be here.</I> The discouragements of their return were many and
|
|
great, the journey long, their wives and children unfit for travelling,
|
|
their own land was to them a strange land, the road to it an unknown
|
|
road. Go up to Jerusalem! And what should they do there? It was all in
|
|
ruins, and in the midst of enemies to whom they would be an easy prey.
|
|
Many were wrought upon by these considerations to stay in Babylon, at
|
|
least not to go with the first. But there were some that got over
|
|
these difficulties, that ventured to break the ice, and feared not the
|
|
lion in the way, the lion in the streets; and they were those whose
|
|
spirits God raised. He, by his Spirit and grace, filled them with a
|
|
generous ambition of liberty, a gracious affection to their own land,
|
|
and a desire of the free and public exercise of their religion. Had God
|
|
left them to themselves, and to the counsels of flesh and blood, they
|
|
would have staid in Babylon; but he put it into their hearts to set
|
|
their faces Zionward, and, as strangers, to ask the way thither
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+50:5">Jer. l. 5</A>);
|
|
|
|
for they, being a new generation, went out like their father Abraham
|
|
from this land of the Chaldees, not knowing whither they went,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+11:8">Heb. xi. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, Whatever good we do, it is owing purely to the grace of God, and
|
|
he raises up our spirits to the doing of it, <I>works in us both to
|
|
will and to do.</I> Our spirits naturally incline to this earth and to
|
|
the things of it. If they move upwards, in any good affections or good
|
|
actions, it is God that raises them. The call and offer of the gospel
|
|
are like Cyrus's proclamation. <I>Deliverance is preached to the
|
|
captives,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+4:18">Luke iv. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those that are bound under the unrighteous dominion of sin, and bound
|
|
over to the righteous judgment of God, may be made free by Jesus
|
|
Christ. Whoever will, by repentance and faith, return to God, his duty
|
|
to God, his happiness in God, Jesus Christ has opened the way for him,
|
|
and let him go up out of the slavery of sin into the <I>glorious
|
|
liberty of the children of God.</I> The offer is general to all. Christ
|
|
makes it, in pursuance of the grant which the Father has made him of
|
|
<I>all power both in heaven and in earth</I> (a much greater dominion
|
|
than that given to Cyrus,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+1:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>)
|
|
|
|
and of the charge given him to <I>build God a house,</I> to set him up
|
|
a church in the world, a kingdom among men. Many that hear this joyful
|
|
sound choose to sit still in Babylon, are in love with their sins and
|
|
will not venture upon the difficulties of a holy life; but some there
|
|
are that break through the discouragements, and resolve to <I>build the
|
|
house of God,</I> to make heaven of their religion, whatever it cost
|
|
them, and they are those <I>whose spirit God has raised</I> above the
|
|
world and the flesh and whom he has made <I>willing in the day of his
|
|
power,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+110:3">Ps. cx. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus will the heavenly Canaan be replenished, though many perish in
|
|
Babylon; and the gospel-offer will not be made in vain.
|
|
|
|
2. Cyrus having given order that their neighbours should help them,
|
|
they did so,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+1:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
All those that were about them furnished them with plate and goods to
|
|
bear the charges of their journey, and to help them in building and
|
|
furnishing both their own houses and God's temple. As the tabernacle
|
|
was made of the spoils of Egypt, and the first temple built by the
|
|
labours of the strangers, so the second by the contributions of the
|
|
Chaldeans, all intimating the admission of the Gentiles into the church
|
|
in due time. God can, where he pleases, incline the hearts of strangers
|
|
to be kind to his people, and make those to strengthen their hands that
|
|
have weakened them. <I>The earth helped the woman. Besides what was
|
|
willingly offered</I> by the Jews themselves who staid behind, from a
|
|
principle of love to God and his house, much was offered, as one may
|
|
say, unwillingly by the Babylonians, who were influenced to do it by a
|
|
divine power on their minds of which they themselves could give no
|
|
account.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
How this proclamation was seconded by Cyrus himself. To give proof of
|
|
the sincerity of his affection to the house of God, he not only
|
|
released the people of God, but restored the vessels of the temple,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+1:7,8"><I>v.</I> 7, 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe here,
|
|
|
|
1. How careful Providence was of the vessels of the temple, that they
|
|
were not lost, melted down, or so mixed with other vessels that they
|
|
could not be known, but that they were all now forthcoming. Such care
|
|
God has of the living <I>vessels of mercy, vessels of honour,</I> of
|
|
whom it is said
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ti+2:19,20">2 Tim. ii. 19, 20</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>The Lord knows those that are his,</I> and they shall <I>none of
|
|
them perish.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. Though they had been put into an idol's temple, and probably used in
|
|
the service of idols, yet they were given back, to be used for God.
|
|
God will recover his own; and the spoil of the strong man armed shall
|
|
be converted to the use of the conqueror.
|
|
|
|
3. Judah had a prince, even in captivity. Sheshbazzar, supposed to be
|
|
the same with Zerubbabel, is here called <I>prince of Judah;</I> the
|
|
Chaldeans called him <I>Sheshbazzar,</I> which signifies <I>joy in
|
|
tribulation;</I> but among his own people he went by the name of
|
|
<I>Zerubbabel--a stranger in Babylon;</I> so he looked upon himself,
|
|
and considered Jerusalem his home, though, as Josephus says, he was
|
|
captain of the life-guard to the king of Babylon. He took care of the
|
|
affairs of the Jews, and had some authority over them, probably from
|
|
the death of Jehoiachin, or Jeconiah, who made him his heir, he being
|
|
of the house of David.
|
|
|
|
4. To him the sacred vessels were numbered out
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+1:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
and he took care for their safe conveyance to Jerusalem,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+1:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
It would encourage them to build the temple that they had so much rich
|
|
furniture ready to put into it when it was built. Though God's
|
|
ordinances, like the vessels of the sanctuary, may be corrupted and
|
|
profaned by the New-Testament Babylon, they shall, in due time, be
|
|
restored to their primitive use and intention; for not one jot or
|
|
tittle of divine institution shall fall to the ground.</P>
|
|
|
|
<!-- (End Body) -->
|
|
|
|
<HR>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
|
|
<TR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="LEFT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC15000.HTM">Previous</A>]
|
|
[<A HREF="MHC15002.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
|
|
Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
<HR>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%">
|
|
<TR>
|
|
<TD ALIGN="CENTER" VALIGN="BOTTOM">
|
|
|
|
|
|
<!--Matthew_Henry's_Commentary_on_the_Whole_Bible:_Ezra_I.--><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank"><b>Back to Bibles Net . Com - Online Christian Library </b></a><br>
|
|
<a href="http://biblesnet.com/download.html" target="_blank"><br>
|
|
<b>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Free Download</b></a><br>
|
|
<br>
|
|
<A HREF="http://biblesnet.com/contactus.html" target="_blank"><strong>Contact Us </strong></A><br>
|
|
|
|
</TD></TR></TABLE>
|
|
<HR>
|
|
</BODY>
|
|
</HTML>
|