Ezra 10:13-17 But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand without, neither is this a work of one day or two… These people, called upon to do justice, to confess, to go and begin a new life, said, "Certainly: only let the rain get over, and you will find us pious enough; in the meantime we cannot turn the heathen wives cub of doors." How pitiable, how conspicuously human! They said in effect, "We cannot go out in the rain to settle this matter — 'we are not able to stand without' — we are without shelter, protection, and thou seest how the rain is coming down in cataracts: we are not trifling with the covenant, we respect it in every syllable and every letter, and it shall certainly all be carried out: but let the weather clear up!" Treacherous conscience, treacherous reason! How can a man go over a muddy road to repair an injustice he has done! Let the scavenger come first, let the high way be clean for hi, dainty feet; then when all is dry as summer dust, and that summer dust has been well laid by watering-cart, my lord will cross the road. But my lord is too late. The life on which the injustice was inflicted is dead. How full is the heart of these postponed reparations! How much we are going to do when the clouds break and the sun comes back again! When the commercial sun returns cloudlessly, then we will pay up our arrears and discharge our obligations; we shall then be able to go out with some comfort, and then we shall return in the evening with a new song and a secret joy. You will not do so. If you cannot face the weather, you cannot face a grand moral obligation. You are paltering with yourselves, you are killing your conscience. Every day's delay means disqualification for the thing that is to be done. Send away the evil though it should be drenched with rain! (J. Parker, D. D) Parallel Verses KJV: But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand without, neither is this a work of one day or two: for we are many that have transgressed in this thing. |
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