Ezra 10:1-25 Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God… It should seem that there were others besides Ezra which advised the people to put away their strange wives, and they such as are said to tremble at the Word of God. And here observe the power of God's Word. The power of God's Word is such that it makes men tremble. To prove this look at Jeremiah 23:29. Let us labour for this holy disposition of soul to tremble at God's Word. A man that hath been exercised with the terrors of God, such a man is most fit to advise and counsel others. A man that knows a country by the map may be able to speak something of it, but it is nothing in comparison of what a traveller can say which hath been there. So a man that hath never felt the terrors of God may be able in part to advise and comfort those in such distresses; but not like him that hath been exercised with the same terror. Let it teach those that be teachers of others to lay things to their own hearts, and to make trial of them there before they prescribe them to others. Wilt thou teach the people how to conquer such a lust? Hast thou made trial of it thyself? But I go another way, and think that by those who trembled at God's Word is meant such as had not been engaged in that common abomination of marrying strange wives; and if so, I cannot but note this much: When the times are most wicked God reserves some to Himself. Secondly, let us labour to keep ourselves from the corruptions of the times. When all others do that which is evil, do it not then. And that thou mayest do so, remember these things: First, David makes it a blessed thing not to walk in the way of sinners (Psalm 1:1). Secondly, the purity of a man's religion stands in this, "to keep himself unspotted of the world" (James 1:27). Thirdly, remember for what end Christ died. He gave Himself for our sins, "that He might deliver us from this present evil world" (Galatians 1:4). Fourthly, I would have a man to consider what a glory it is to God when he is good amidst a froward generation, to be as fish which retains its freshness in the salt sea. Fifthly, mark what a confusion it is to Satan when a man goes on in a good way where most men go wrong. Lastly, if we sort ourselves with the sinners of the time we hinder the conversion of the world. Whereas, when a man shall shun such a wicked man's company, he will begin to say with himself, "Surely such a man sees something amiss in me, which makes him refrain my society." And by this means he may be reclaimed. The fear of God is the restraint of all sin. This is proved sufficiently (Proverbs 16:6). That man is most fit to advise others who is not engaged in the same transgression. The hand that must wash a thing clean, except it be clean will add to its pollution. (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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