Ezra 7:1-10 Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,… I. HIS PRIVATE CHARACTER. 1. I would call him a manly man. The most uncouth, ignorant country clodhopper may be drilled into being a common soldier, who may pass muster with his fellows in a review. But there are few men who can become great generals. Many are able and willing to follow a leader, but there are only too few who have the power to lead others. In the Church as well as in the State our great want is men, manly men. 2. He was a godly man. It is not always the case that great men are godly men also. Ezra prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord his God, and to do it; and that added to his greatness. 3. He was a man of discernment. For himself he found it was wisest and best to seek the law of the Lord and to do it. He saw also that it was righteousness for the nation as well as the individual. II. EZRA IN THE DISCHARGE OF HIS PUBLIC DUTIES. 1. As the leader of the returning exiles he was scrupulously honest. 2. He showed boundless trust in the protection of God. 3. As the ruler of the people in Jerusalem he identified himself with the people under him. (James Menzies.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, |
    |