Ezra 9

Ezra 9:2

Rejoiced - It was, as a very great, so a sudden change, that the people, who but the other day were so ready to comply with wicked Ahaz in his idolatrous presumptions, were now so free and forward in God’s service: whereby it plainly appeared to be the work of God, changing their hearts by his Holy Spirit.

Ezra 9:4

Israel - All the persons of the ten tribes, who were settled in his kingdom. Ephraim, &c. - To all the remainder of the ten tribes, ver.5, here expressed by the names of Ephraim and Manasseh, as elsewhere by the name of Ephraim only. But he names these two tribes, because they were nearest to his kingdom, and a great number of them had long since, and from time to time joined themselves to the kingdom of Judah, 2 Chronicles 15:8,9. At Jerusalem - Admonishing them of their duty to Cod, and persuading them to comply with it.

Ezra 9:5

Second month - Which was against the common rule, but the doing of this in its proper time, namely, the fourteenth day of the first month was impossible, because the temple was not cleansed, nor they prepared. As there was a proviso in the law, that particular persons who were unclean in the first month, might keep the passover the fourteenth day of the second month, he doubted not but that might be extended by the whole congregation.

Ezra 9:6

They kept - Not in the same manner as they had done the former, V. 3. Sufficiently - In such manner as was fit, nor in such numbers as but in the solemn worship of God, by sacrifices, and prayers, and praise, were necessary for the slaying and offering of so many thousands of and publick instruction of that great congregation in the good knowledge paschal - offerings, as appears, because they were not sufficient for of the Lord; which was most necessary for the people after so long and those offerings, which were comparatively few, chap.29:32,33,34. dismal a night of ignorance, superstition and idolatry.

Ezra 9:13

They - The generality of the ten tribes; who by long want of meat had now lost their appetite to God’s ordinances, for which they paid dear. For about six years after their refusal of this offer of grace they were all carried away captive, 2 Kings 18:1,10.

Ezra 9:15

The hand of God - God by the power of his grace inclined their hearts to an unanimous compliance with God’s and the king’s will. And this is mentioned as the reason of this wonderful change wrought in these men, who had lately been given up to idolatry.