Ezra 10:1-25 Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God… True loyalty is marked — I. BY GENUINE RESPECT. In the commonwealth of Israel at that moment there was great need of reform. The people had not long returned from captivity. They were powerless and few. Yet the very evil which had previously occasioned their captivity had begun to reappear. Steps had been taken which if not retraced would certainly bring that evil about. Many in high places — some of the speaker's own relatives — were in fault (ver. 26). The matter therefore was pressing. He felt it so. He desired reform very earnestly; he recommended it very strongly (vers. 2, 3). Yet he would not take it upon him to be the first to move in this matter. He would not set aside those whose office it was to do this. "Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee." You see exactly the state of his mind. Notwithstanding the depth of his zeal and convictions, he would sooner do nothing than be disrespectful to Ezra. No change, in his judgment, would be proper reform that should set proper authority on one side. II. BY SINCERE SYMPATHY. This is shown here in the words that come next: "We will also be with thee: be of good courage and do it." It is possible to defer to authority in a cold and unfriendly spirit, to leave too much on the hands of our rulers, and to fail in taking our proper share of odium in supporting them and their measures. If we wish to be truly loyal we are bound to encourage them openly in their righteous efforts. We are bound also to promise them our support and assistance. We may apply these lessons — 1. To the laws of our land. Except where religious principle is in question, these should be the laws of our lives. It is the object of the "criminal classes" to try to evade them. It should be the object of God-fearing persons to try and observe them. "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's" (Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:1, 2, 7). All this should be regarded by us as part of our duty towards God. This also should be applied by us carefully to all the points it embraces; e.g., our income-tax returns; our action towards contraband trade; our respect for the administrators of justice; our support of its officers, and so on. A bad citizen will never make a good Christian. 2. To the laws and officers of our Church. Ezra was acting here ecclesiastically as much as politically; of the two, perhaps, rather more so. In all things in regard to which a Church hath power to ordain, in all matters where its ministers have a right to be consulted, let us not only acquiesce, but encourage; not only encourage, but support. The English word "leader" signifies both a commander and a guide. Therefore never be many steps behind your Leader; never be one step in front. (W. S. Lewis, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore. |
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