Ezra 10:1-25 Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God… We come now to the firstfruit of Ezra's humiliation; and that is the convening of a great congregation to him. So that Ezra hath here the glory of being an example of goodness to others. It is to stir us all up to this holy pride, to be the first in good actions. He that did first invent printing, his name will be famous to the end of the world. So now, to be the first that believes in a town, to be the first that puts a good law in execution, to lay the first stone in a pious work, this is no small, but a very great honour. We say he is an ill horse that will not lead the way but only follow; and I will not give a button for that Christian that will do no more than he sees others do. How do ye in your affairs in the world? It a commodity come from beyond the seas of which you stand in need, do you stay till others bid money for it? No; but with all speed you get it into your own hands. And shall there be such a moderation in spiritual things? Further, as Ezra had the honour to be an example to others in goodness, so now see the effect of it, "A great company of men, women, and children assembled together." And why so? Doubtless for no other cause but to humble themselves as he had done. So efficacious and powerful is the example of goodness in great ones. It is said of Augustus that in his time Rome was full of scholars because he affected learning. In the time of Commodus it was full of fencers because he loved that exercise. And in Nero's time it was full of musicians, for he took great delight in music. All men compose their manners to his who is their governor. The truth is, the example of great ones is the loadstone which draws inferiors after it; that is the compass by which most men sail. In the second place, let it be a use to those who are eminent in the Church, such as Ezra was. Let them not only preach, but live well. Where the sin is general and epidemical, good reason that all should be joined together in humiliation. When we shall see that the sins of the times do overflow and be grown up to heaven, as at this time they are, it shall be fit, though a public humiliation be not prescribed by authority, to make our humiliation general by every man's sorrowing for his own sins. "Oh," say those in the city, "those of the court are so horribly wicked that we are all like to smart for their profaneness." And saith the court, "Such is the cheating of the citizens, that they will draw down judgments upon us all." Thus one accuses another; but in the meantime, who smites his hand on his breast and saith, "What have I done?" But mark the particular numeration which the Spirit of God makes, "men, women, children." First, men; and good reason men should lead the dance and go before the rest in a good way. Abraham went first out of his country, and Sarah followed him. I press it no further than thus: you that are men, I confess you have more honour put upon you than women have, and I know you are apt enough to arrogate as much to yourselves; but take heed that whilst you go before them in honour that they prevent you not in the best things. The second sort of people spoken of are women, and indeed the service of God is charged upon them as well as upon men, as in 1 Timothy 2:10, 15; 1 Peter 3:4. Thirdly, "the children came." What? the children join in humiliation? Yes; why not? for God was offended, and they had reason to be humbled for it. The second thing set down in this verse is "that the people wept very sore." What was the reason? The reason shall be the observation. Great sins must have a great measure of sorrow. In Psalm 6:6, David having committed great sins, "made his bed to swim, and watered his couch with his tears." "Sin must have sorrow at one time or another" (Proverbs 29:6). (Hosiah Shute, B. D.) 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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