Ezra 8:22-28 For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way… I. EZRA'S LANGUAGE WAS IN STRIKING CONTRAST WITH THE GENERAL STATE OF OPINION AROUND HIM. He knew he was right, and could afford to be singular. At particular crises of public opinion it devolves upon some men to go into the land of the enemy, that they may bring truth out of captivity. Such men have no ultimate fear for truth; they know its vitality. Such men never change sides. The world wonders at their eccentricity, and recommends them to beg or borrow a band of soldiers and horsemen to assist them in their progress; but they are ashamed to think of such a thing. If they could make truth successful to-morrow they must do it with truth's weapons and her weapons only; but they cannot advance the liberation of truth by any unworthy means, or by any unnatural alliance. II. EZRA'S SITUATION AFFORDED HIM AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ASSERTING THIS GREAT PRINCIPLE UNDER VERY TRYING CIRCUMSTANCES. Christ's whole life illustrates Ezra's principle of confidence in God under circumstances of great temptation. (W. G. Barrett.) Parallel Verses KJV: For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. |
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