Forsake him. Apostates are treated with the greatest severity. (Menochius) --- Esdras thought that the glory of God was at stake, and he would not shew any diffidence in Providence, or scandalize the infidels. (Calmet) --- We ought not to ask princes for what we should despise. (Du Hamel) read more
21-23 Ezra procured Levites to go with him; but what will that avail, unless he have God with him? Those who seek God, are safe under the shadow of his wings, even in their greatest dangers; but those who forsake him, are always exposed. When entering upon any new state of life, our care should be, to bring none of the guilt of the sins of our former condition into it. When we are in any peril, let us be at peace with God, and then nothing can do us any real hurt. All our concerns about... read more
Ezra 8 THE FIRST FOURTEEN verses are occupied with the names of those who accompanied Ezra according to their genealogies, and with the number of the males in each family. God has seen to it that the names of those who bestirred themselves to answer to His call to return to the land, should be placed on record in a very permanent way, while the names of those who did not bestir themselves are almost entirely lost. With verse fifteen we resume the history of the migration; how again, as is... read more
The Priests Entrusted With The Lord's Treasures v. 21. Then I proclaimed a fast there, in preparation for the journey, its purpose being to implore from God safety amidst the many and various dangers of the desert, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of Him a right way for us and for our little ones and for all our substance, both safe and easy to travel, that they might not be forced to abandon the best route. v. 22. For I was ashamed to require of... read more
B.—EZRA’S OWN DOCUMENTARY REPORTEzra 8:1-36I. Respecting his Companions. Ezra 8:1-141These are now the chief of their fathers, and this is the genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of Artaxerxes the king. 2Of the sons of Phinehas; Gershom: of the sons of Ithamar; Daniel: of the sons of David; Hattush. 3Of the sons of Shechaniah, of the sons of Pharosh; Zechariah: and with him were reckoned by genealogy of the males a hundred and fifty. 4Of the sons of Pahath-moab;... read more
Ezra HEROIC FAITH Ezr_8:22 - Ezr_8:23 , Ezr_8:31 - Ezr_8:32 . The memory of Ezra the scribe has scarcely had fairplay among Bible-reading people. True, neither his character nor the incidents of his life reach the height of interest or of grandeur belonging to the earlier men and their times. He is no hero, or prophet; only a scribe; and there is a certain narrowness as well as a prosaic turn about his mind, and altogether one feels that he is a smaller man than the Elijahs and Davids of... read more
United Prayer for Guidance Ezra 8:1-23 The number of men who accompanied Ezra amounted to 1754, but the women and children would bring up the gross total to about 7000. The lack of Levites was very serious. These should have been among the very first. A deputation was therefore sent to a neighboring seminary or college, where they were being trained, and here again is the mention of the good hand of God . Sometimes hearts are ready and waiting for service, which need just a word or appeal... read more
In this chapter we have, first, a representative list of those who joined Ezra when he went up to Jerusalem. First in order, members of the priestly and royal houses are named (verses Ezr 8:1-2 ). Then follows the register and number of the people (verses Ezr 8:3-14 ). Before the actual march commenced, Ezra gathered together at Ahava those who were to accompany him in order to review them and prepare for the journey. He found that none of the sons of Levi was in the company. Recognizing the... read more
Ezra Gathers The Returnees In Order To Pray For Their Safety On The Journey (Ezra 8:21-23 ). The people who were returning with Ezra having all gathered (although it may have commenced before the Levites and Nethinim arrived) Ezra proclaimed a fast so that they could effectively pray for a safe journey. Ezra 8:21 ‘Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek of him a straight way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our... read more
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Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Ezra 8:21-23
The prophet Jeremiah had predicted of the manner in which the people should return, both the dispersed of Judah and Jerusalem; going and weeping. Jeremiah 50:4-5 . Ezra therefore, in a most pious manner, proclaims a fast to seek the Lord's presence, like the pillar to Israel, to go before them. And though the way from Babylon to Jerusalem exposed the people to much danger, from the several enemies through whose territories they must pass; yet, from a well grounded confidence in the Lord, Ezra... read more