The decree of Artaxerxes to the treasurers.
Embodied in the letter of the Persian king to Ezra we have certain directions addressed through him to the treasurers beyond the river. These directions, though emanating from a heathen source, suggest the principles which should guide liberality in the cause of God, as to its measure, its spirit, and its reasons.
I. THE MEASURE.
1. This should be generous. "Whatsoever Ezra the priest," etc.
2. It should not be reckless.
(a) The necessity of the case.
(b) Our ability. If we give what is not ours we act fraudulently.
3. It should be religious. "Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven," etc. (verse 23).
II. THE SPIRIT.
1. It should be diligent. "Let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven" (verse 23).
2. It should be prompt. "Let it be done speedily" (verse 21).
III. THE REASONS.
1. It should be done unto God.
2. The prosperity of the realm required it. "For why should wrath be against the realm?" The history of nations shows that as they became haughty against God they suffered adversity. Egypt. Old Canaan. Nineveh. Babylon.
3. The happiness of the royal family is concerned.
The extension of the mercy of the covenant.
After recounting the wonderful success of his enterprise, Ezra breaks out into a rapture of gratitude to God. "Blessed be the Lord God," etc. Here—
I. HE ACKNOWLEDGES GOD IN HIS COVENANT CAPACITY.
1. This is expressed in the terms "God of."
2. Covenant relationship subsists in Christ.
3. The promise of the Christ was the establishment of the covenant with the "fathers."
II. HE ASCRIBES HIS SUCCESS TO THE EXTENSION TO HIM OF THE MERCY OF THE COVENANT.
1. The covenant was not established with Ezra.
2. The mercy of the God of his fathers was extended to him.
3. To this extension of the mercy of the God of the covenant to him he attributes his influence.
III. HE RECOGNISES THE INTERESTS OF THE COVENANT AS THE TRUE REASON FOR THE PERSIAN FAVOUR.
1. The covenant God put it into the heart of the king.
2. How the covenant has moulded history.
HOMILIES BY J.s. EXELL
Aspects of the Divine and human.
I. Aspects of GOD. "Blessed be the Lord God" (Ezra 7:27).
1. He is blessed by devout men.
2. He is the God of our fathers.
3. He puts good things into the hearts of men.
II. Aspects of MANHOOD (Ezra 7:28).
1. Mercy extended. "And hath extended mercy unto me."
2. Influence augmented. "Before the king and his counsellors."
3. Encouragement imparted. "I was strengthened."
4. Enterprise undertaken. "And I gathered together out of Israel," etc.—E.
HOMILIES BY W. CLARKSON
Influence.
These verses give us the idea of Ezra as a man of great influence over his fellows; one of those men that lead others, that inspire them with confidence and regard; one of those who can make their thoughts and their desires tell powerfully on the mind and the will of others. We see his influence—
I. OVER THE KING AND HIS COURT (verse 27). He puts it modestly, as becomes a devout man accustomed to refer everything to the Divine hand that governs everywhere, and says that God "extended mercy to him before the king and his counsellors, and all his mighty princes." Putting it into everyday language, we should say that he gained a commanding influence over the minds of these courtly men, and over this great sovereign.
II. OVER THE CHIEFS AND THE MULTITUDE OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE (verse 28). In the same modest and unassuming strain he speaks of being "strengthened as the hand of the Lord was upon him," and he "gathered out of Israel chief men" to avail themselves of the royal decree and go up with him to their own land. In other and more familiar words, he succeeded in winning the confidence and prevailing on the minds of the leading men of his own nation to such an extent that they were willing to forsake their homes and seek their fortune in Judaea. And not only the leaders, but also a large company of the "rank and file" among his compatriots responded to his call; there were "the people" as well as "the priests" (Ezra 8:15).
III. OVER THE UNRESPONSIVE LEVITES (Ezra 8:16-20). When it was found that, for some reason, no Levites had joined the party of the exodus, Ezra picked out "men of understanding" (verse 16), the right men for the task, and told them what to say, giving them the right message for the purpose (verse 17), and he thus succeeded in attaching to their company many who had meant to stand aloof, thus completing the number that should go up to Jerusalem (verses 18-20). Only a man of commanding influence, a man of firm conviction who knew well his own mind, and a man of persuasive force who could impress his will on others, could possibly have accomplished this. On the great and important subject of influence there are two truths we shall do well to learn—
1. That those who find themselves possessed of it bear a weighty responsibility. in many cases influence comes to a man unsought.
may confer influence on a man or woman, without any effort on their part to acquire it. It is a very great possession. A grave thing it is to be insensibly drawing many souls either along the path of virtue, holiness, and life, or along the path of sin, and shame, and death. unconscious influence is very far from being irresponsible for what it does. We are most solemnly bound to see to it that such is the spirit of our life, such the colour and complexion of our words and deeds, such the tendency of our conduct, that, without any direct endeavour to do so, we shall be influencing our fellows towards truth, wisdom, God, heaven. Those whom God has made markedly influential are specially bound to consider what they are doing. "They know not what they do" may be a palliation, but it is not a justification, when they might know by thinking.
2. That those who would cherish the highest aspiration should strive to win it. To win wealth or fame or office for the sake of these things themselves is a comparatively mean thing; it does not rise higher than a refined gratification. But to win influence with the view of leading human souls in the path of heavenly wisdom, this is a noble aspiration, worthy of a child of God, of a follower of Jesus Christ. It may be acquired as well as inherited. It is the outcome of excellency of character, of strenuousness of soul, of kindness of heart, of likeness to Jesus Christ.—C.
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