CHAPTER IX _The princes inform Ezra that many of the people now settled_ _in the had married heathen wives; and several of the rulers_ _were principal offenders in this thing_, 1, 2. _He is greatly afflicted_, 3, 4. _His prayer to God on thus account_, 5-15. NOTES ON CHAP. IX Verse Ezra 9:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezra 9:2. _HATH BEEN CHIEF IN THIS TRESPASS._] They who are the _first_ men have been the most _capital_ offenders; so VIRGIL, _AEn_. ix. 783: - Unus homo, vestris, o cives, undique septus Aggeribus, tantas strages impune per urbem Ediderit? Juvenum _primos_ tot miserit orco? "Shall one, a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezra 9:3. _I RENT MY GARMENT AND MY MANTLE_] The _outer_ and _inner_ garment, in sign of great grief. This significant act is frequently mentioned in the sacred writings, and was common among all ancient nations. _PLUCKED OFF THE HAIR_] _Shaving_ the head and beard were signs of excessive gri... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezra 9:4. _THOSE THAT HAD BEEN CARRIED AWAY_] Those that had returned long before with Zerubbabel; see Ezra 9:1. _UNTIL THE EVENING SACRIFICE._] The _morning_ sacrifice was the first of all the offerings of the day, the _evening_ sacrifice the _last_. As the latter was offered _between the tw... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezra 9:5. _FELL UPON MY KNEES_] In token of the deepest _humility._ _Spread out my hands_, as if to _lay hold_ on the mercy of God. We have already had occasion to explain these significant acts.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezra 9:6. _I AM ASHAMED AND BLUSH_] God had been so often provoked, and had so often pardoned them, and they had continued to transgress, that he was ashamed to go back again to the throne of grace to ask for mercy in their behalf. This is the genuine feeling of every reawakened _backslider_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezra 9:8. _AND NOW FOR A LITTLE SPACE_] This interval in which they were returning from servitude to their own land. _GRACE HATH BEEN_ SHOWED] God has disposed the hearts of the Persian kings to publish edicts in our _favour_. _TO LEAVE US A REMNANT TO ESCAPE_] The ten tribes are gone irreco... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezra 9:10. _WHAT SHALL WE SAY AFTER THIS?_] Even in the midst of these beginnings of respite and mercy we have begun to provoke thee anew!... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 11. _HAVE FILLED IT FROM ONE END TO ANOTHER_] The abominations have been like a sweeping mighty torrent, that has increased till it filled the whole land, and carried every thing before it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 13. _HAST PUNISHED US LESS THAN OUR INIQUITIES_] Great, numerous, and oppressive as our calamities have been, yet merely as temporal punishments, they have been much less than our provocations have deserved.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 15. _THOU_ ART _RIGHTEOUS_] Thou art _merciful_; this is one of the many meanings of the word צדק _tsedek_; and to this meaning St. Paul refers, when he says, God _declares his righteousness for_ _the remission of sins that are past_, Romans 3:25. See the note there. _WE REMAIN YET ESCAPED_]... [ Continue Reading ]