PART 1
1. THE FIRST RETURN FROM THE CAPTIVITY
EXPOSITION
THE DECREE OF CYRUS (Ezra 1:1). The origin of the return is found in
an exertion of Divine influence on the mind of a heathen king, who was
moved thereby to put forth a proclamation or decree, addressed to all
the people of the Lord God of I... [ Continue Reading ]
EXPOSITION
THE RESPONSE TO THE DECREE (Ezra 1:5). The response made to the decree
fell short of what might have been expected. The "patriarchal chiefs"
who responded belonged solely, or mainly, to the two tribes of Judah
and Benjamin; the "ten tribes" were for the most part deaf to the
invitation ad... [ Continue Reading ]