The book of Ezra is so called from the name of the priest who wrote it. It is an important continuation of the Jewish history, after the return of that people from their seventy years' captivity in Babylon; embracing a period of about 100 years; from the decree of Cyrus, 536 years B. C., to the reformation by Ezra, 456 years B. C.

The book of Ezra is divided into ten chapters, and contains two principal sections.

Section I. Relates the return of the Jews to Judea, under their prince Zerubbabel, and the rebuilding, after various hinderances, of the temple of Jerusalem, ch. i.-vi.

Sec. II. The arrival at Jerusalem of Ezra the priest, and his reformation in the ordinances of religion, according to the laws of Moses, ch. vii.-x.

The Jewish captives returned from Babylon by the proclamation of Cyrus the Persian conqueror, he having succeeded to the throne of his uncle Darius as king of Persia and Babylon. The most remarkable circumstance related in the book of Ezra, is the sovereign influence of divine providence, by which Cyrus was led to grant deliverance to the captive Jews; and at the same time to restore the whole of the sacred vessels of gold and silver which had been pillaged from the temple of God at Jerusalem.

The means by which Providence brought about the emancipation of the Jews, and the restoration of the

consecrated vessels, was the influence of Daniel. The wisdom, integrity, and piety of this prophet were acknowledged at the court of Babylon; on account of them he had been promoted to the highest office in the state. And having triumphed over the iniquitous conspiracy of his enemies, when, in the absence of Cyrus, he was miraculously preserved in the den of lions, his uprightness still more recommended him to the confidence of the king. Improving his familiar intercourse with Cyrus for the advancement of the cause of religion, he showed to the king the prophecies of Jeremiah and Isaiah, in which the deliverance of the Jews is specifically predicted, and Cyrus, the conqueror of Babylon, mentioned by name. That Cyrus saw these divine predictions is manifest from the words of his proclamation of liberty to the Jews; for in that edict he says, "The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he hath commanded me to build him a house at Jerusalem," Ezra i. 2.

The zeal and piety of Ezra are eminently conspicuous in all his works; and his memory has been always reverenced by the Jews, who regard him as a second Moses. Ezra was divinely employed to restore religion to its ancient purity; he disposed the books of scripture into their proper order, after having carefully revised them. He collected and arranged the materials for the books of Chronicles, to which he added the history of his own times, which was finished by Nehemiah. Ezra died at the advanced age of 120 years.

The hook of Nehemiah is a valuable record of the improvements in the city of Jerusalem, and of the reformation among the people, which were promoted and carried on by an inspired ruler of that name This

eminent man was one of the Jewish captives, selected from among them, and retained by the Persian monarch to fill the office of his cup-bearer, a station of great honour and influence in the ancient eastern nations.

The period to which this book relates is several years ater than the history of Ezra. Nehemiah arrived at Jerusalem about thirteen years after Ezra; and after he had governed Judea for about twelve years, he returned to Artaxerxes, who granted him a new commission; with this he went again to Jerusalem, and ruled among the Jews in the whole about thirty-four years. This book of Nehemiah closes the Old Testament history at the death of its excellent author, in the year of the world 3584, and 420 years before the birth of Christ.

The book of Nehemiah is divided into thirteen chapters, containing four principal sections.

Section I. Relates the departure of Nehemiah from Shushan with the royal commission to Jerusalem, ch. i. ii.

Sec. II. The building of the walls of Jerusalem, ch. iii.-vi.

Sec. III. The reformation of the ordinances of religion, and the sealing of the covenant to serve the Lord, ch. vii.-xii.

Sec. IV. The second reformation among the people, ch. xiii.

The most remarkable things recorded in the book of Nehemiah, are the rare and distinguishing excellences of its renowned author. For disinterestedness, philanthropy, patriotism, prudence, courage, zeal, humanity, and every virtue that constitutes a great mind, and proves a soul to enjoy deep communion with God, Nehemiah will ever stand conspicuous among the greatest men of the Hebrew nation; and as an example which every true patriot should strive to imitate.

ESTHER.

The book of Esther derives its name from the person whose history it relates. It records an extraordinary display of divine providence, in the elevation of an orphan Jewish captive to the throne of Persia, and a remarkable deliverance of the Jews by her means. This preservation of the Jews happened in the time of Ezra; and Ahasuerus is supposed to be the same as Artaxerxes mentioned in Ezra.

The book of Esther is divided into ten chapters, and it contains three sections.

Section I. Relates the elevation of Esther from a state of captive degradation, to be queen of Persia; and the services which her uncle Mordecai rendered to the king, ch. i. ii.

Sec. II. The advancement of Haman, and his wicked contrivance to effect the extirpation of the Jews, ch. iii.

-V.

Sec. III. The overthrow of Haman's plot, and his own ignominious and deserved punishment, ch. vi.—x.

The feast of Purim, instituted in commemoration of this deliverance of the Jews, has been observed by that people even to our times.

References in Esther.

Ch, iii. 8. Acts xvi. 20.

Ch. v. 3.

Mark vi. 23.

THE POETICAL BOOKS.

The former books in the Bible, except some small portions, were written in prose; but the five following, and many parts of the prophetical books are written in Hebrew metre ;-Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Solomon's Song. They are more entirely of a religious character than the preceding; and they are of greater importance to the christian church, for the special instructions which they convey. The nature of the subJects of which they treat, requires that they be read with devout attention. The book of Job has been particularly distinguished as doctrinal; the Psalms as devotional and

prophetical; the Proverbs as practical; the Ecclesiastes as penitential; and the Song of Solomon as experimental.

JOB.

The book of Job derives its name from the person whose history it records. It contains an account of the singular piety, riches, afflictions, and restoration of that extraordinary character, who lived in Idumea, on the borders of Arabia and Egypt. Job is supposed to have been the Jobab, 1 Chron. i. 44., a great grandson of Esau, and that he lived several years before, or about the time of Moses. Many commentators, however, place him above a hundred years earlier than the times of Abraham, and, with much probability, consider him to have been a connecting link in the church of God between Noah and Abraham. The book of Job is believed to have been written by Job himself, and to have been perfected in the form in which we possess it by Moses. Unless we except the book of Genesis, Job is the most ancient writing in the world.

The book of Job is divided into forty-two chapters, containing five principal sections.

Section I. Contains an account of Job's piety, family, riches, afflictions, and friends, ch. i. ii.

Sec. II. Relates the several discourses in the controversy between Job and his three friends, ch. ii.—xxxi. Sec. III. The wise discourses of Elihu, a younger friend of Job, ch. xxxii.-xxxvii.

Sec. IV. The awfully sublime address of the Lord to Job, delivered out of a whirlwind, ch. xxxviii.—xli.

Sec. V. Relates the restoration of Job's health, friends, property, and family, and his sacrifice and intercession on behalf of his censorious friends, ch. xlii.

The religious discourses of these good men deserve to be attentively considered. The friends of Job were indeed mistaken in their views of his character; and, supposing that God never afflicts his sincere servants, at least in so grievous a manner as Job was then suffering charge him with being a wicked man and a hypocrite in