Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Ezra
Book: Ezra
Chapter: 1
Overview:
The proclamation of
Cyrus for the rebuilding of the
Temple.
(1-4) The people provide for their return.
(5-11)
1-4 The
Lord stirred up the
Spirit of
Cyrus. The hearts of
Kings are in the
Hand of the
Lord.
God governs the world
By his
influence
On the spirits of men; whatever good they do,
God
stirs up their spirits to do it. It was during the
Captivity of
the Jews, that
God principally employed them as the means of
Calling the attention of the
Heathen to him.
Cyrus took it for
granted, that those among the Jews who were able, would offer
free-will offerings for the
House of
God. He would also have
them supplied out of his kingdom.
Well-wishers to the
Temple
should be
Well-doers for it.
5-11 The same
God that raised up the
Spirit of
Cyrus to
proclaim liberty to the Jews, raised up their spirits to take
the benefit. The
Temptation was to some to stay in
Babylon; but
some feared not to return, and they were those whose spirits
God
raised,
By his
Spirit and
Grace. Whatever good we do, is owing
to the
Grace of
God. Our spirits naturally
Bow down to this
Earth and the things of it; if they move upward in any good
affections or good actions, it is
God who raises them. The calls
and offers of the
Gospel are like the proclamation of
Cyrus.
Those bound under the power of
Sin, may be made free
By Jesus
Christ. Whosoever will,
By Repentance and
Faith, return to
God,
Jesus Christ has opened the way for him, and raises him out of
the slavery of
Sin into the glorious liberty of the children of
God. Many that hear this joyful sound, choose to sit still in
Babylon, are in
Love with their sins, and will not venture upon
a holy
Life; but some break through all discouragements,
whatever it cost them; they are those whose
Spirit God has
raised above the world and the
Flesh, whom he has made willing.
Thus will the heavenly
Canaan be filled, though many perish in
Babylon; and the
Gospel offer will not have been made in vain.
The bringing back the Jews from
Captivity, represents the
Redemption of sinners
By Jesus Christ.