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v19950
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1994-03-02
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19952
* The destruction of Jerusalem. (1-21) The proclamation of
Cyrus. (22,23)
#1-21 The ruin of Judah and Jerusalem came on by degrees. The
methods God takes to call back sinners by his word, by
ministers, by conscience, by providences, are all instances of
his compassion toward them, and his unwillingness that any
should perish. See here what woeful havoc sin makes, and, as we
value the comfort and continuance of our earthly blessings, let
us keep that worm from the root of them. They had many times
ploughed and sowed their land in the seventh year, when it
should have rested, and now it lay unploughed and unsown for ten
times seven years. God will be no loser in his glory at last, by
the disobedience of men. If they refused to let the land rest,
God would make it rest. What place, O God, shall thy justice
spare, if Jerusalem has perished? If that delight of thine were
cut off for wickedness, let us not be high-minded, but fear.
19973
#22,23 God had promised the restoring of the captives, and the
rebuilding of Jerusalem, at the end of seventy years; and that
time to favour Zion, that set time, came at last. Though God's
church be cast down, it is not cast off; though his people be
corrected, they are not abandoned; though thrown into the
furnace, they are not lost there, nor left there any longer than
till the dross be separated. Though God contend long, he will
not contend always. Before we close the books of the Chronicles,
which contain a faithful register of events, think what
desolation sin introduced into the world, nay, even into the
church of God. Let us tremble at what is here recorded, while in
the character of some few gracious souls, we discover that the
Lord left not himself without witness. And when we have looked
at this faithful portrait of man by nature, let us contrast with
it that same nature, when recovered by Almighty grace, through
the justifying and soul-adorning righteousness of Christ our
Saviour.
19975
** The history of this book is the accomplishment of Jeremiah's
prophecy concerning the return of the Jews out of Babylon. From
its contents we especially learn, that every good work will meet
with opposition from enemies, and be hurt by the misconduct of
friends; but that God will make his cause to prevail,
notwithstanding all obstacles and adversaries. The restoration
of the Jews was an event of the highest consequence, tending to
preserve religion in the world, and preparing the way for the
appearance of the Great Deliverer, the Lord Jesus Christ.
* 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.
19979
#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.
19986
* The numbers that returned. (1-35) The numbers of the priests
and Levites. (36-63) The offerings for the temple. (64-70)
#1-35 An account was kept of the families that came up out of
captivity. See how sin lowers a nation, which righteousness
would exalt!