Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Ezra
Book: Ezra
Chapter: 4
Overview:
The adversaries of the
Temple.
(1-5) The
Building of the
Temple is hindered.
(6-24)
1-5 Every attempt to revive true religion will stir up the
opposition of
Satan, and of those in whom he
Works. The
adversaries were the
Samaritans, who had been planted in the
land of
Israel, 2Ki 17. It was
Plain that they did not mean to
unite in the
Worship of the
Lord, according to his
Word. Let
those who discourage a good work, and weaken them that are
employed in it, see whose pattern they follow.
6-24 It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the
Church
would be hurtful to
Kings and princes. Nothing can be more
false, for true
Godliness teaches us to honour and obey our
sovereign. But where the command of
God requires one thing and
the
Law of the land another, we must obey
God rather than
Man,
and patiently submit to the consequences. All who
Love the
Gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should
encourage the adversaries of the
Church. The world is ever ready
to believe any accusation against the people of
God, and refuses
to listen to them. The
King suffered himself to be imposed upon
By these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other
men's eyes and ears, and
Judge things as represented to them,
which are often done falsely. But
God's
Judgment is just; he
sees things as they are.