Ezra 1:5-6 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

The response.

"Then rose up," etc. The edict of Cyrus had been issued (see Ezra 1:2 4). The voice of God was in the voice of the king (see Ezra 1:1 ). But who responded?

I. THE CHIEFS OF THE FATHERS OF JUDAH AND BENJAMIN RESPONDED .

1. Happy the people whose magistrates lead them nobly.

2. Politics cannot be divorced from religion.

3. Evil rulers are scourges of God to wicked peoples.

Representative governments—responsibility of the franchise. In hereditary magistracies (see Isaiah 1:10 ). "Rulers of Sodom" associated with "people of Gomorrah" (see Isaiah 1:25 , Isaiah 1:26 ). When the vices of a people are purged away, then worthy magistrates are raised up to them.

II. THE PRIESTS AND LEVITES RESPONDED .

1. Priests, leaders in religion.

2. Levites, leaders in literature.

III. SKILFUL ARTIFICERS RESPONDED . Those whose spirit God hath raised to go up and build the house of the Lord.

1. All useful labour is from God.

2. All talent should be devoted to God.

IV. A WILLING PEOPLE RESPONDED .

1. All they that were about them.

2. These strengthened their hands.

1. Learn that religion and politics may be harmonised without resorting to compulsion. The response was voluntary. Uniformity is not unity. Endless variety in living things.

2. Harmony in religion and politics is truest when free. With compulsion comes resistance and contention. Admit the principle of coercion, then the question is not between religion and politics, as abstract principles, but becomes often an ambitious and unholy strife.—J. A. M.